How to Get a Copy of Your North Carolina Car Accident Report Without an Attorney

Who Keeps North Carolina Crash Reports?

North Carolina crash reports are handled through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, not by the insurance company. The report is usually prepared by the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash and then becomes part of the state’s crash-reporting system.

If your crash was investigated by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, an uncertified collision report may also be searchable through the State Highway Patrol collision report system. That system is useful for locating some reports, but it specifically notes that the report available there is not a certified crash report. If you need an official certified copy, the request should be made through NCDMV.

How Individuals Can Request a North Carolina Crash Report

If you were personally involved in the crash, NCDMV says you can request a redacted copy of the crash report by mail or in person. Individuals cannot order a crash report online through the NCDMV system.

To request the report by mail, you generally need to print and complete the NCDMV Crash Report Request form, also known as Form TR-67A, and mail it with payment to the address listed on the form. NCDMV advises allowing time for processing and making sure the form is complete and the check or money order is properly signed.

Reports can also be requested in person at certain NCDMV locations. For people who are not near one of those offices, requesting the report by mail is usually the more practical option.

Why Individuals Usually Receive a Redacted Report

Crash reports may contain private information about more than one person. Because of federal privacy rules, NCDMV limits what can be released to individuals. If you were personally involved in the crash, you should expect to receive a redacted copy, meaning that some personal details may be hidden.

That does not make the report useless. A redacted report may still contain important claim-related information, including the crash location, date, vehicles involved, officer observations, diagram information, listed injuries, contributing circumstances, and whether any citations or suspected violations were noted.

When an Attorney, Insurance Company, or Business May Request More Complete Information

NCDMV allows certain licensed businesses and organizations, including attorney offices, insurance companies, and private investigators, to request unredacted crash reports when they meet a permissible-use requirement under privacy law. A North Carolina-based or North Carolina-licensed organization may be able to request the report by mail, in person, or online.

This is one reason injured people sometimes contact a lawyer even after they have already requested a report themselves. The issue is not simply getting a piece of paper. The issue is understanding what the report says, whether anything is missing or inaccurate, and how the report fits with the rest of the evidence in an injury claim.

What Information Is Usually Included in a Crash Report?

A North Carolina crash report may include basic driver and vehicle information, the accident date and location, the investigating agency, road and weather conditions, a diagram or description of the crash, listed injuries, ambulance or emergency-response information, contributing circumstances, and the officer’s narrative or observations.

The report may also identify passengers, witnesses, citations, suspected violations, or other facts that become important when an insurance company reviews fault and damages. For an injured person, this can be one of the first documents used to begin building a claim.

A Crash Report Is Important, But It Does Not Decide the Entire Case

A crash report can be persuasive, but it does not automatically decide liability. The officer may not have seen the collision happen. The report may rely on statements given at the scene, physical evidence, witness accounts, vehicle positions, and the officer’s interpretation of what occurred.

Insurance companies may still dispute fault, argue that injuries were not caused by the crash, or claim that the injured person contributed to the accident. This is especially important in North Carolina because contributory negligence can create serious problems for an injury claim. Even a small allegation that the injured person helped cause the crash may be used by the insurance company to dispute payment.

Check the Report Carefully for Errors

Once you receive the crash report, read it carefully. Look for incorrect names, missing passengers, wrong insurance information, vehicle mistakes, an inaccurate crash location, missing injury details, or a diagram or narrative that does not match what happened.

Some errors are minor. Others can affect how the insurance company views the claim. For example, if a passenger is not listed, an injury is not noted, or the officer’s description leaves out an important fact, it may create confusion later. If you believe the report contains a significant mistake, it is worth raising the issue early rather than waiting until the insurance company has already relied on the incorrect information.

Passengers Should Also Get a Copy of the Report

Drivers are not the only people who may need the crash report. Injured passengers should also try to obtain a copy, especially if they received medical treatment or may need to make a claim. A passenger claim may involve the driver of the vehicle they were riding in, another driver, or multiple insurance policies.

For more information on this issue, see our related guide: What Are My Rights as a Passenger Injured in a North Carolina Car Crash?

What If the Report Is Not Available Yet?

Crash reports are not always available immediately. The investigating officer may need time to complete the report, and the report may then need to be processed before it appears in the appropriate system. If the accident was recent, you may need to check back or contact the investigating agency for guidance on whether the report has been completed and submitted.

If your crash was investigated by the State Highway Patrol, the online collision report system states that reports are normally entered within several business days. Local police departments and sheriff’s offices may have different internal timelines before the report reaches NCDMV.

Should You Send the Crash Report to the Insurance Company?

The insurance company will usually obtain the crash report on its own, but you should still be careful about how you discuss it. A report may contain helpful information, but it may also contain omissions or wording that needs context. Before giving a recorded statement, signing broad medical authorizations, or accepting the insurance company’s view of the report, consider whether you fully understand what the report says and what it does not say.

If you were injured, the report is only one part of the claim. Medical records, photographs, vehicle damage, witness statements, lost wage documentation, and follow-up treatment records may all matter as much or more than the crash report itself.

Talk With a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a North Carolina crash and have questions about the accident report, fault, insurance coverage, or what to do next, Kellum Law Firm can help you understand your options. Our attorneys handle car accident claims across North Carolina and can review the report in the context of your injuries, medical treatment, and potential claim value.

To speak with our team, call 1-800-ACCIDENT or request a free case evaluation.

You can also learn more from our main North Carolina car accident lawyer page.