KANSAS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT CODING MANUAL

851
ACCIDENT NARRATIVE FORM
REPORT HEADER
The fields in the header are duplicated for the purpose of matching the Narrative report (851) with all
other pages of a case if they become inadvertently separated. Copy the entries from the 850A form.
INVESTIGATING OFFICER / BADGE NUMBER Enter the name and/or badge number of the officer
responsible for or in charge of the accident investigation and the report.
PAGE __ OF __ number the pages in a way that suits your needs the best, but please submit them
in the following order: the Motor Vehicle Accident Report form (850A) first. Next, the Occupants &
Vehicles forms (850B). Then add the Passengers & Pedestrians forms (854), any Heavy
Vehicle/Hazmat Supplement forms (852) and finally, any Narrative forms (851) used. When you
know how many total pages are to be sent to the State, go back to page 1 and enter the total number
of pages on each sheet after the word "of."
NARRATIVE
The Narrative Report (851) form provides for the officer's complete description of the accident and
any additional notes that might be relevant to the accident. When the Narrative report (851) form is
used, it must be submitted to the State with the rest of the report.
Completion of the 851 form is mandatory if the accident involves a fatality, and we highly recommend
its use for all accidents, as it contains vital information. Do NOT use other agency forms to take the
place of the 851. Keep in mind that this document is considered an “open record” and its content
should exclude information protected by law. Example: Do not record specific illegal drug test
results on this form or other criminal information. The only indicator allowed for illegal drugs is
Positive (P) or Negative (N) drug screen results.
It is important to all who review the report (including attorneys, insurance companies, etc.) that the
narrative provides enough description to support the accident information recorded. Include any
information that helps explain the accident and/or irregularities that may be associated with it. Make
your statements brief and clear. Avoid excessive wordiness and inclusion of information which does
not contribute to the facts which explain and describe the accident.
Note: Witness statements and other investigative documentation (not required by KDOT) captured
on the KDOT forms must be submitted to KDOT and could be required in a court of law.
WITNESSES Record witnesses and their statements on the Narrative form (851). Do NOT list
witnesses in the passenger table on the Occupants page (form 850B).
Fatality accidents require an extended narrative. Form 851 must be submitted with the
850A, 850B, and any other accident forms to KDOT.
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