Got in a Car Accident in Greater South Bend, IN? Which Police Department to Call Depends on Where It Happened

June 4, 2026

• South Bend is not just one region but made up of four overlapping jurisdictions who are responsible at different times for creating your accident report after a car crash.
• It is important to know if you are dealing with local, county, state, or campus police when obtaining a copy of your police report, which is crucial to the successful handling of your claim.
• Having representation that understands the law and can handle complications can help you get the outcome you deserve.

The name “South Bend” is a stand-in for a lot of things. People might say it to mean the city itself. It is used to connotate the general idea of Notre Dame. It can be used to describe the major urban region of North Central Indiana, and the land around it.

So while the phrase “South Bend” can be used to describe a lot of different things, there are many legal and jurisdictional differences in the different parts of the region. And if you are in a car accident in Greater South Bend, IN, you’ll need to know which police department to call to report your accident. It’s one of the most important things to know after a car crash in South Bend.

Being in a car accident can kick off a long period of recovery. The steps you take right after the crash, including contacting a South Bend car accident lawyer, can be crucial to getting your case resolved in the best possible fashion. Because while “South Bend” can be a stand-in for a lot of terms, there’s no substitute for experienced legal professionals.

The Police Report: Why Jurisdiction Matters After a South Bend Car Accident

After you have been in a Greater South Bend accident, the first thing you need to do is assess your safety. If you can move your car to the side of the road, please do so. Check for injuries that you or any passengers may have suffered. And then immediately notify the authorities.

The police will create an accident report. This will contain witness statements, photographs, and any tickets or citations issued. This report is often a “source of truth” (though not the sole one) in any legal claims arising from the accident. It is used by insurance companies and courts to determine liability. You may need to obtain a copy of your police report when filing your claim.

This is why jurisdiction matters so much. In the immediate aftermath of an accident in Greater South Bend, you might just see indistinguishable badges and flashing lights. But knowing who to contact is how you help your claim reach a successful resolution.

Which Police Department to Contact in Greater South Bend

There are four major ways to break down the Greater South Bend area. Knowing where your crash occurred will help you contact the right authorities.

Inside South Bend

South Bend is known for its hectic traffic, especially in major intersections like where Marion, Chapin, and Route 20 meet. If you are in the city itself, you will be dealing with the South Bend Police Department. The emergency call line is 911, as is standard, but there is also a non-emergency line to report a car accident if no one at the scene calls 911. That number is (574) 235-9201.

To obtain a copy of the police report, you can go in-person to 701 W. Sample, or through police.southbendin.gov.

On Notre Dame Campus

While we say Notre Dame is in South Bend, that’s just shorthand: Notre Dame, IN is its own jurisdiction with its own police department. They handle all crashes on the campus. If you are in an accident on campus, call (574) 631-5555 or 911 on a campus phone.

Off-campus, it will be either the SBPD or the county police. But Notre Dame police do patrol and respond to accidents on the streets bordering the campus: US-31, Angela, Douglas, and Twyckenham. This is important to know at all times, and especially on game days, where 31 and Douglas becomes a traffic nightmare.

You can get your police report through the NDPD, or at buycrash.com.

In Unincorporated St. Joseph County

There are a lot of areas in greater South Bend that are neither SBPD nor NDPD. These are covered by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office. They can be contacted at (574) 235-9611.

Much of the rural area in the region falls under St. Joseph jurisdiction. This includes the stretches of road around South Bend, Mishawaka, and the surrounding townships. Much of Highway 20 past 331, for example, will be handled by St. Joseph Sheriff.

To get your police report, you can go in person to the Sheriff’s Office, also located at 701 W. Sample in South Bend, or through buycrash.com.

On the Indiana Toll Road

The Indiana Toll Road is the sole jurisdiction of the Indiana State Police. Calling 911 will take you directly to them. ISP officers will file the police report. There may be St. Joseph or NDPD at the scene to help the ISP manage traffic, but they are supplementary and not the officers of record.

With a high volume of traffic, a large volume of trucks, and often punishing weather coming off the lake, the Indiana Toll Road is the scene of many car and truck accidents, including last-mile delivery truck accidents. So knowing how to handle an accident there could sadly be important.

To obtain a copy of your report from the ISP, go directly to buycrash.com.

Reach Out to Our Experienced South Bend Car Accident Attorneys

Now you know what to do after an accident in Greater South Bend. But to get what you need to pay for medical bills and get your life back, you’ll want experienced South Bend car accident lawyers who are on your side.

The lawyers who will fight for you are at Hensley Legal Group, PC, a dedicated Indiana personal injury law firm whose experienced attorneys have been fighting on behalf of the wrongfully injured since 1998.

Simply call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now for a free consultation with a knowledgeable South Bend car accident attorney.