How to Obtain a Police Accident Report in North Carolina
When the police respond to a car accident in North Carolina, the responding officer must prepare an official report detailing their impressions of what happened and any citations issued. Any parties involved in the crash may then request that report from the agency the officer works for.
Here’s a closer look at how to obtain a police accident report in North Carolina and begin taking the necessary steps to pursue your claim with help from an experienced car accident lawyer.
What Information Is in a North Carolina Police Report?
North Carolina’s official crash report, Form DMV-349, records the key facts the responding officer gathered at the crash scene, including:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The names and contact details of the drivers involved
- Vehicle descriptions, including make/model and any visible damage
- Insurance information for the drivers involved
- The names of any passengers or witnesses
- Any relevant road or weather conditions
- The officer’s brief observations about how the crash happened.
The form has a space for the officer to create a diagram showing how they believe the crash occurred. The officer will also note whether they issued any traffic citations.
Do I Need My Accident Report to File an Insurance Claim?
While you can initiate an insurance claim without it, having a copy of the police report for an insurance claim in NC can make the process easier. Insurance companies request the report simply because it’s a useful initial source for basic facts about the collision. The report can help them verify the time and location of the crash, making their claim review process more efficient.
Will the Accident Report Be Used if My Case Goes to Court?
The police accident report can play a role if your car accident claim leads to a lawsuit, as attorneys may review the officer’s observations, diagrams, and notes about road conditions or citations. However, it doesn’t automatically determine the outcome of a case. Courts generally treat the report as one piece of evidence among many. Witness testimony, photographs, medical records, and other evidence may carry more weight when evaluating a crash.
When Should You Request Your Accident Report?
If possible, request your accident report as soon as it’s available. In many cases, the responding agency will complete the report within a few days of the crash. Obtaining the report early allows you to review the details, provide it to your insurance company and your car accident lawyer, and request that the agency correct any errors on the report.
What Are the Different Ways of Obtaining a North Carolina Accident Report?
Depending on which agency responded to the crash, you may have several options for obtaining the accident report, including the following:
- Request online – The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) doesn’t allow private individuals to order crash reports online. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and many other local police departments and municipalities allow individuals involved in accidents to obtain crash reports online. Buycrash.com and similar websites may also enable you to access your accident report.
- Request by mail – Drivers involved in accidents can order crash reports by mail from the NCDMV using Form TR-67A. Local law enforcement agencies may also offer this option.
- Request in person – You can also take Form TR-67A to the NCDMV offices in Huntersville to request reports in person. Local police and North Carolina Highway Patrol offices may also provide reports in response to in-person requests.
If you’re unsure of how best to access the report related to your North Carolina car accident, talk to your attorney. Lawyers have considerable experience accessing these reports and can help you obtain them as efficiently as possible.
How to Determine Which Agency Has Your Report
The agency that responds to the crash is responsible for preparing and keeping the accident report, such as the city police department, county sheriff’s office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, or university/campus police. Which agency responds and handles the investigation depends largely on the location where the accident occurred. Local police often handle crashes within city limits, while the Highway Patrol or a county sheriff’s office may handle incidents on highways or outside municipal areas.
If you’re unsure which agency responded, contact the local police department or sheriff’s office in the area where the crash occurred and ask for assistance. Alternatively, your car accident attorney can handle the process of locating the report.
What Information Will You Need to Request Your Report?
In most cases, you’ll just need basic details about the crash to request an accident report. The date of the accident, the location where it occurred, and the names of the drivers involved should be sufficient. Provide as much accurate information as possible to help the agency locate the correct report more quickly.
What To Do If You Find Errors in Your Police Report?
If you notice incorrect information in the accident report, contact the law enforcement agency preparing the report as soon as possible to explain the issue. You may need to provide documentation that supports your request for a correction. The agency should then review your request and determine whether to amend or supplement the report.
Contact a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer
If you were recently injured in a car accident, the official North Carolina collision report can be an important piece of evidence to support your claim. However, it’s far from the only evidence you need. Let the team at Elrod Pope focus on investigating the crash and preparing your claim while you take the time you need to heal.
At Elrod Pope, we have over 45 years of experience supporting injured individuals through our six offices in North and South Carolina. We’re committed to providing the personalized legal representation you need and deserve, as evidenced by our track record of positive outcomes and client satisfaction, and we charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact our firm 24/7 to arrange a free consultation with a North Carolina car accident attorney. Your case review is fully confidential.
