Filing a police report after a car accident can help safeguard evidence for a potential upcoming accident claim. Under North Carolina law, you must report a car accident if any party suffers more than $1000 in damages or a person suffers an injury.
When unsure about the damages or the condition of any party involved, it’s best to report the accident to the police for investigation. This post will explain the details found in car accident police reports and highlight the value police reports can bring to your post-accident injury settlement.
What Information Does a Police Report Include?
The Location of the Accident
The reporting officer will record the setting for the accident. The location data will include the closest main intersection, the type of road, and the conditions at the time of the accident.
Description of the Accident
The police report will include a comprehensive description of the circumstances of the accident, including the events leading to the crash. Police reports will combine sketches of the accident and diagrams showing the position of each party’s vehicle on the road.
Driver Information
The report will include the names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers of all drivers involved in the collision.
Passenger Information
The police report will also note the names and addresses of passengers and their contact details.
Witness Information
Within the report, the responding officer will also note the witness testimony and their names and contact details.
Injuries and Medical Treatment Details
The police report will include comprehensive details on crash-related injuries and associated medical treatment after the accident.
Traffic Violations and Citations
If the police officer observed any traffic violations, including driving under the influence or speeding, they would include this in the report. They would also include any citations issues as a result of the violations.
Contributing Factors
The office on-duty will also note the contributing factors for the accident in the police report. In this section, the officer might note suspected speeding, distracted driving, or unsafe road conditions.
Why Do I Need a Police Report?
Below are several common reasons accident victims may require a police report:
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There have been injuries or fatalities
If there are injuries or fatalities, a record of the accident will help establish a clear record of how the accident transpired. If there is a pending legal case involving injuries or wrongful death, the insurance company will require the police report as evidence explaining the circumstances.
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In cases of disputed liability
If other drivers are accusing you of negligence after an accident, or if you wish to claim the other driver is responsible for your injuries, a police report can clarify the role of each party. The insurance adjuster will examine the police report alongside all other evidence, including doctor’s notes and witness statements, to determine the validity of an injury claim.
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Filing a case with an accident lawyer
If you suffer an injury in a car accident, the accident report will help prove your case during settlement negotiations and any potential future court case. Your car accident lawyer can help source the report for you and corroborate the details to cement the value of your car accident claim.
Where Can I Find the Police Report for My Car Accident?
After you’re involved in a car accident in North Carolina, you can request a copy of the police
report completed by the on-scene officer. You can source a copy within the associated department’s records. To access your copy, take the following steps:
Determine which agency responded to the accident.
Various law enforcement agencies respond to North Carolina vehicle crashes. First, identify which agency – the State Highway Patrol, the local County Sheriff’s Office, or the local police department, responded to your crash. The responding officer will likely have given you their contact information and department details.
Confirm the report’s availability.
You may have to wait for the report to be made available. Each department has specific report production timelines, which vary from a few days after the accident to several weeks.
Request your report.
Most agencies have a dedicated department for handling car accident records. Provide their representative with your name, contact details, and the location of the accident so they can cross-reference your details in their reporting system. You can request a free report from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety collision reports database. If you plan to use the report for legal purposes, you will require a certified copy that you can access by completing the TR-67A Crash Report Request.
Begin Your Injury Recovery Alongside an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Police reports are crucial documentary evidence linking your car accident and subsequent injuries.
If you require help accessing your police report or you’re simply looking for further details about your accident claim legal options, Lakota Denton can help provide guidance. He offers decades of experience fighting for car accident victims and their families and has won millions of dollars in settlements and court judgments.
Call Lakota Denton now at 828-677-3019 or book your free consultation online to explore your legal options after a North Carolina car accident.