How to Read Your Pennsylvania Accident Report

In Pennsylvania, auto accidents can happen fast. In only a moment's notice, you or a loved one may be injured. The accident may result in physical, emotional and financial hardship lasting for years after a crash. You may be unable to work. Bills may skyrocket. It may even be difficult to obtain and understand your Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Police Crash Reporting Form, a document often necessary for filing an insurance company claim after an accident.

We want to help you by making it easier to interpret your accident report. The form below contains a sample accident report with comments for you to use as a guide. If you need help interpreting your report, call us now. We will discuss your report, free of charge.

For more information on what to do after you've been in a car accident, contact us today. Call 1-866-326-0100 for a free case evaluation.

Police details are recorded in the Police Agency Data section, such as the responding officer's name, agency and badge number.

The location of your accident is documented in the Crash Data, Location Type, and Principal Road sections. If the accident has occurred between roads, the Intersecting Road or Distance from Landmark are recorded.

Other factors, such as the location of a Traffic Control Device or Lane Closure, are recorded.

Information about the driver and vehicle is recorded in the Vehicle Driver/Pedestrian Information and Vehicle Information boxes.

Driver/pedestrian information includes:

• Contact information
• Driver's license number
• Physical condition
• Suspected alcohol or drug use
• Applicable test results
• Whether a citation was issued at the accident scene

Vehicle information includes:

• Vehicle make/model
• Owner contact information
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• License plate number
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Direction of travel, impact point and estimated damage

People Information includes information for all parties involved in the accident. This includes contact information, the driver or passenger's role in the accident, all documented injuries (and injury severity), seating position, safety equipment use and whether a driver or passenger was ejected from the vehicle.

Officers use the Diagram and Narrative sections to describe, both with pictures and written words, how and why they believe an accident has occurred. Carefully review the information in this section. Information may be revealed about the cause of your accident not found anywhere else on the accident report form.