How to Report an Accident in Massachusetts

Reporting an auto accident to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation can lead to public safety improvements.

If you've experienced an auto accident on a public road, driveway or parking lot in Massachusetts, you have five days to report it to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Even if an attending police officer initially reports the accident, submitting an official accident report form to the police department, insurance agency and MassDOT does more than thoroughly document the incident for all parties involved. It also helps MassDOT generate valuable data used to develop public safety information programs and identify high-volume accident sites. Report accidents that result in injury or property damage exceeding $1,000.

Things You'll Need

• Printer

Instructions

1. Navigate to the Accident Report Forms page of MassDOT's Registry of Motor Vehicles' website (see Resources).

2. Click on the first form, "Operator's Report of Motor Vehicle Accident." (You must have Adobe Reader to view it.) Then print the form.

3. Complete the form neatly per instructions on the first page.

4. Mail or deliver a copy of the form to each of the following: Police department in the town where the accident occurred, your insurance provider and the RMV, whose address is provided on the form.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

• The form should be filled out as neatly as possible; illegible forms will be returned.

References

• Massachusetts Department of Transportation Registry of Motor Vehicles: Accident Report Forms:

Resources

• MassDOT: Accident Report Forms