To get a crash report in Charlotte, NC, you can request a copy from the Department of Motor Vehicles online, in person, or by mail. Generally, only the people involved in the crash or their legal representative can access crash records.
If you have been in a recent car accident, police reports can play a valuable evidentiary role in your case. A car accident lawyer in Charlotte can help you obtain police crash reports and other types of evidence to prove your injuries and lack of fault.
Obtaining a Crash Report from the North Carolina DMV
The simplest method to obtain a crash report is to request a copy online from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Crash reports from local agencies are uploaded to a central database where you can search via case number and personal information, like the license plate numbers of the involved vehicles.
To look up a crash report, go to the DMV online portal and follow the instructions from the prompt. To look up a specific report, you will need the following information:
- Your North Carolina driver’s license
- Social Security Number or TIN
- The other driver’s North Carolina driver’s license
Once you submit a request, you should receive a link where you can download the report in PDF format. You can also request a report via mail by filling out form TR-67A. Fill out this form and send it to the DMV, and they will send you a certified copy of the requested crash report.
How Much Does a Crash Report Cost?
Obtaining crash reports online in North Carolina is free. However, online reports are not certified, so they may not be suitable for all purposes. There is a $6.50 fee for certified reports requested by mail or in person. You can pay the fee via check or money order.
How Long Do I Have to Wait to Get a Crash Report in North Carolina?
It typically takes about 10 days for the DMV to process a crash report and have it available for requests. Online requests can be answered the same day, but it can take five to seven days to process a request for a physical certified copy of crash records.
There is no time limit for requesting a crash report, but you should generally do so as soon as possible. The sooner you have a report, the sooner you can move on to the next parts of the insurance claims process and reduce the risk of payment delays.
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What Information Does a Crash Report Contain?
North Carolina’s crash report Form DMV-349 contains all basic information pertaining to an accident, including the following:
- Contact information of the involved parties
- The make and model of vehicles in the accident
- The date, time, and location of the crash
- The drivers’ insurance information
- A narrative and diagram explaining the accident dynamics
- Investigative findings like estimated damages and contributing crash factors
- Injuries sustained by crash victims
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Who Can Access a Crash Report in North Carolina?
Crash records are not part of the public record in North Carolina, so only the people involved in the crash or their legal representatives can access the reports. This is why you are required to provide your driver’s license and SSN when requesting a report: to confirm you are not a third-party trying to access private information.
How Can a Police Report Help My Car Accident Claim?
Getting a police report should be one of the first things you do after a car accident in North Carolina. Police reports serve as an objective record of the crash scene and are an extremely important tool for demonstrating liability and fault in car accident cases. A police report can shed light on:
- The causes and contributing factors of a crash
- The severity of injuries and property damage after a crash
- The presence of negligence on the part of the at-fault driver
- Whether one party violated traffic laws
- The state of mind of the crash victims after the accident
More generally, a police report provides an evidentiary baseline that your lawyer can build on to strengthen your case. Police reports are not strictly necessary to make a car accident claim, but it’s highly recommended to get one anyway.
Contact Our Offices Today to Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer in North Carolina
Police reports play a significant role in car accident claims, but you need an experienced attorney to get the most utility out of them. A personal injury lawyer in Charlotte can help you acquire reports in a timely manner and connect the details to fault and liability in your case.
They can also help correct errors in police reports if there are discrepancies between your account and the officer’s observations. If you need more guidance on how to get a crash report in Charlotte or want to discuss your case, contact CR Legal Team today to schedule a case consultation. At our firm, We Stand Up For You®.
