Police Reports in West Virginia
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About West Virginia Police Reports
Important Information
DMV17F forms standard throughout the state
Processing Details
Mountain terrain may affect response
Additional Notes
Limited online availability
Available Report Types
- Form DMV17F
- State Police Reports
- Local Reports
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West Virginia Uniform Traffic Crash Report
Official Report Forms
Form overview
The West Virginia Uniform Traffic Crash Report is issued by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. The form's header identifies it as WV PAR 17C Rev. 02/2007. State law requires officers to complete this report whenever a crash results in injury, death or property damage above a statutory threshold. The report spans eight pages and covers every aspect of the crash: location, vehicles, drivers, passengers, non‑motorists, commercial vehicles, witness statements and diagrams. Each page uses structured fields and, where applicable, numeric codes to ensure consistent data entry. Supplemental pages are available for large diagrams or additional information.
Section breakdown
Page 1 – Crash data and scene overview
The first page focuses on the crash data. Officers record the date, time and location of the collision, including the county, city or municipality and the specific roadway. They indicate whether the crash occurred at an intersection, in a construction zone or on private property. The report asks for the number of vehicles involved, the number of injuries and fatalities and the estimated property damage. Officers classify the crash by type (single vehicle, head‑on, rear‑end, angle, sideswipe) and note environmental conditions such as weather, light and road surface. A field labeled first harmful event captures whether the crash involved a collision with another vehicle, a fixed object, an animal or a non‑collision event like overturning. The bottom of page 1 reminds the reader that a narrative description and diagram appear on the back of another page.
Page 2 – Vehicle data
Page 2 documents each vehicle involved in the crash. For every unit, officers record the owner's name, address, phone number and insurance information. They describe the vehicle's make, model, year, body style, license plate number, VIN and whether it was in transport, parked or abandoned. Officers note whether the crash was a hit‑and‑run and whether the vehicle was towed. A series of codes describes the vehicle's direction of travel, movement prior to impact (going straight, turning left, turning right, backing) and any contributing factors such as defective brakes, worn tires or improper load securement. The report also captures the extent of vehicle damage by marking a diagram of the vehicle and estimating repair costs. An important section records the sequence of events for each vehicle (up to four events) and identifies the most harmful event, which helps determine causation. If non‑vehicle property was damaged, officers list the owner and describe the damage.
Page 3 – Driver data
The third page focuses on the drivers. For each driver, officers document their name, address, phone number, driver's license number, class, restrictions and endorsements. The form asks whether the driver was on duty (commercial driver), wearing a seat belt and carrying insurance. A critical section lists driver contributing circumstances such as fatigue, distraction, impairment by alcohol or drugs, speeding or failure to yield. Officers check boxes to indicate if a blood alcohol or drug test was performed and record the results. They also note whether any traffic violations were cited, such as reckless driving, DUI or failure to maintain lane. On the back of this page (page 4), there is space for a driver's statement and details about citations issued. Recording this information helps prosecutors and defense attorneys assess liability and evaluate whether charges are appropriate.
Page 4 – Occupant data
Page 4 (front) continues with driver and passenger information, capturing every person involved in the crash. Fields include the occupant's name, age, gender, seating position, restraint use, airbag deployment and injury severity. Officers indicate whether the person was ejected from the vehicle, trapped and extricated or transported to a medical facility. For each occupant, they record whether a seat belt or helmet was used and whether a child safety seat was installed correctly. This data supports seat belt enforcement campaigns and helps researchers analyze injury patterns. On the reverse side of this page (page 5), there is space for statements from involved persons or witnesses. Witness statements often provide crucial details that are not captured elsewhere in the report.
Page 5 – Statement page
The statement page (back of page 4) provides lined space for anyone involved in the crash or witnessing it to write a personal account. Statements may include observations of driver behavior, road conditions or actions of non‑motorists. Because the statements are in the participants' own words, they can be powerful evidence if the case goes to court. Officers may also use this space to add comments or clarifications.
Page 6 – Non‑motorist data
If the crash involves a pedestrian or cyclist, officers complete page 6. This page records the non‑motorist's name, contact information, age, gender, and the vehicle that struck them. Officers document the non‑motorist's action before the crash (crossing at a crosswalk, walking along the roadway, entering or leaving a vehicle) and any contributing circumstances such as alcohol use, failure to yield or inattentiveness. The form notes whether the non‑motorist used safety equipment, such as reflective clothing or a helmet, and describes their injuries and whether they received emergency medical transport. On the back of page 6, there are additional fields for non‑motorist physical condition and blood alcohol or drug test results. Capturing this information ensures that non‑motorists are not overlooked in crash data.
Page 7 – Commercial vehicle data
Crashes involving commercial motor vehicles require completion of page 7. Officers collect the motor carrier's name, address, U.S. DOT number and contact information. They describe the vehicle's configuration (single unit, tractor‑trailer, double or triple trailer), cargo body type (van, flatbed, tanker), and whether hazardous materials were involved. The form records the number of axles, gross vehicle weight rating, and whether the driver held the proper commercial driver's license. Additional fields capture the carrier's identification numbers and insurance information. The back of page 7 asks for details about the commodity being transported and the number of passengers in a bus or van. This information helps federal and state agencies monitor commercial carrier safety and ensure compliance with regulations.
Page 8 – Diagram and supplemental page
Page 8 serves as a large diagram sheet. Investigating officers sketch the roadway layout, traffic control devices and the paths of vehicles before, during and after the crash. A clear diagram helps insurers, engineers and attorneys visualize the collision and verify whether the physical evidence supports witness statements. If the standard page's diagram area is insufficient, the officer uses this large sheet to provide a more detailed drawing. Supplemental pages may also be used for additional narrative or coding if the crash involves multiple vehicles or complex circumstances.
Coding sheet and manual
The West Virginia Uniform Traffic Crash Report is accompanied by a coding sheet and instruction manual. Many fields, such as weather, road surface, vehicle movement and contributing circumstances, rely on numeric codes. By using codes instead of free text, the DMV can quickly enter data into its crash database and conduct statistical analyses. The manual explains each code and provides guidance on completing the form accurately. Officers also receive training on using the report and the codes to ensure consistency across agencies.
Use cases
Law enforcement and crash reconstruction
Police agencies use the crash report to reconstruct collisions and determine whether any laws were violated. The sequence of events and most harmful event data help investigators identify the primary cause of the crash. Contributing circumstances codes alert officers to driver impairment, distraction or mechanical defects. Detailed driver information on page 3 and occupant information on page 4 support decisions about citations and charges. The large diagram on page 8 aids reconstruction experts in creating scale drawings for court proceedings. Overall, the uniform report ensures that investigators across West Virginia collect the same data, making it easier to compare crashes in Charleston, Morgantown or rural counties.
Insurance claims and legal proceedings
Insurance adjusters rely on accident reports to assess liability and process claims. Page 1's crash data and page 2's vehicle information help insurers determine who was at fault and the extent of property damage. Driver contributing circumstances and violation codes on page 3 may influence liability decisions and settlement amounts. Attorneys representing injury victims use occupant data on page 4 and witness statements on page 5 to argue for fair compensation. Defense attorneys examine the report for inconsistencies or coding errors that could reduce their client's liability. The commercial vehicle data on page 7 ensures that motor carriers are properly identified and held accountable when their vehicles are involved in crashes.
Transportation planning and engineering
The West Virginia Department of Transportation and local governments analyze crash reports to improve road safety. By studying patterns in crash type, road conditions and driver contributing factors, engineers can identify hazardous locations and recommend improvements such as guardrails, rumble strips, improved signage or redesigned intersections. The injury severity data helps prioritize projects that protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Data from commercial vehicle crashes guide decisions about truck routes and enforcement of weight and equipment regulations. Because the report has been standardized since 2007, analysts can compare current data with more than a decade of historical records.
Public health and education
Public health agencies and researchers use crash data to understand injury patterns and evaluate safety programs. The occupant information on page 4 provides insight into seat belt use, child restraint use, airbag deployment and ejection, helping design targeted safety campaigns. Non‑motorist data on page 6 informs pedestrian and cyclist safety initiatives. If data show high numbers of alcohol‑related crashes, public health officials may coordinate with law enforcement on sobriety checkpoints or educational programs. The uniform crash report thus supports evidence‑based interventions to reduce injuries and deaths.
Conclusion
The State of West Virginia Uniform Traffic Crash Report demonstrates the value of standardized police reports and crash reports. By systematically capturing information about the crash scene, vehicles, drivers, occupants, non‑motorists and commercial carriers, the report allows investigators, insurers, engineers, attorneys and researchers to work from the same factual record. The eight‑page form may seem daunting, but each section serves a purpose: determining causes, assigning liability, protecting public health and improving road safety. With accurate data and consistent coding, West Virginia can continue to identify hazards, enforce traffic laws and make evidence‑based decisions that save lives.
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All 439 Cities Available
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Morgantown
County: Monongalia
Population: 80.626
ZIP Codes: 26501, 26505, 26506...
Martinsburg
County: Berkeley
Population: 18.805
ZIP Codes: 25401, 25403, 25404...
South Charleston
County: Kanawha
Population: 13.594
ZIP Codes: 25309, 25303, 25389
Showing top 20 cities by population. All 439 cities have dedicated pages.