How to Get a Crash Report in Wyoming

WYDOT says it collects crash reports from all law enforcement agencies in Wyoming. Its Highway Safety Program maintains the state's crash reporting database and is the custodian of crash data. Crash report requests go to Highway Safety.^1,2,3

WYDOT's Crash Reports page says its Office of Data Quality Control and Assurance is the keeper of the crash reports.¹

The Wyoming Highway Patrol's records page lists the same phone number for Accident Records that WYDOT Highway Safety uses for crash report requests. WHP handles requests for its own records, such as copies of citations or case reports, through a separate link on that page.^1,4

By email: Send your request to the crash records email address listed on WYDOT's Crash Reports page. Include the details WYDOT asks for, such as the case number and the date of the crash.¹

By phone: Call WYDOT Highway Safety. The number is on WYDOT's Crash Reports page.¹

By mail: Write to Wyoming Department of Transportation, Attention: Highway Safety, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009. Say whether you want the report as a paper copy, by email or by fax.¹

In person: The Wyoming Highway Patrol's records page says you can get a copy at the Cheyenne WYDOT Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009. WYDOT's own Crash Reports page lists only phone, email and mail.^1,4

When you request a crash report, WYDOT asks you to give Highway Safety the details below.¹

The case number, if you have it.¹

The law enforcement agency that worked the crash.¹

The name and date of birth of the person involved.¹

The date of the crash.¹

The VIN (vehicle identification number) of the vehicle involved.¹

Your email address and phone number.¹

For a Laramie Police Department report, the Records Division asks for the incident date and location, the names and dates of birth of those involved, and the type of incident, such as a crash. It also asks for your name, address and phone number.⁵

The Cheyenne Police Department's fee schedule, a 2018 document it links as current, lists no charge for its own crash reports. It lists $1.00 for mailing by USPS. The free listing does not cover WYDOT reports.⁶

The Laramie Police Department charges $5.25 per police report request.⁵

Wyoming law gives an officer up to 10 days after investigating a crash to send WYDOT a written report. This applies to crashes that cause injury or death, or leave a vehicle too disabled to operate normally and safely. This is the officer's deadline. It does not tell you when a copy will be ready.⁷

For public records in general, Wyoming's Public Records Act says agencies must release them no later than 30 calendar days after acknowledging the request, unless good cause prevents release.⁸

Some information filed with a crash report is confidential under Wyoming law. This is supplemental information filed for a security deposit or proof of financial responsibility. It is not open to general public inspection.⁷

A person named in that supplemental information may examine it. So may that person's representative, if designated in writing.⁷

The Cheyenne Police Department's Records page says any person, including individuals, businesses and media, may inspect or get copies of public records.⁹

Under Wyoming law, an officer who investigates a crash must send WYDOT a written report if the crash causes injury or death, or leaves a vehicle too disabled to operate normally and safely. This covers any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for traffic violations.⁷

The Cheyenne Police Department keeps accident reports only for crashes with vehicle damage under $1,000 and no injuries. It refers all other accident report requests to WYDOT.⁹

The Cheyenne Police Department takes records requests, including police report requests, only through its online portal. It does not accept requests by email or on letterhead.⁹

The Laramie Police Department's Records Division collects, maintains and distributes all police reports and related records. You can make a request in person at 420 Ivinson Avenue, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.⁵

You can also reach the Laramie Records Division by phone, by email, or through the electronic submission form on the city's Forms page. The contact details are on its Records page.⁵

If you are driving a vehicle involved in a crash, WYDOT says W.S. 31-5-1105 requires you to notify law enforcement immediately, by the quickest means of communication.¹

This duty applies only if the crash injures or kills someone, or leaves a vehicle so disabled it cannot operate normally and safely. A disabled bicycle or other human-powered vehicle does not count.¹

The notice goes to the local police department if the crash happens in a city or town, or to the nearest Wyoming Highway Patrol office or the county sheriff's office.⁷

If you are physically unable to give notice, another occupant of your vehicle who is able must give it.⁷

Wyoming's crash duty and crash report rules apply on highways and elsewhere throughout the state.⁷

A Wyoming city or town may pass an ordinance requiring the driver or owner of a vehicle in a crash to file a crash report, or a copy of a report filed with WYDOT, with a designated city department.⁷

Cheyenne has an online Delayed Traffic Collision Report form for collisions the Cheyenne Police Department did not investigate. The form says it must be completed and submitted within 10 days of the collision.¹⁰

The Cheyenne Police Department says its delayed accident report form is not a police report. It is a form that lets drivers exchange driver and vehicle information.⁹