What is the process to request and review the official police accident report in North Carolina?

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How to Request and Review an Official North Carolina Police Accident Report

Detailed Answer

After any motor-vehicle collision in North Carolina that causes injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more, the investigating officer must complete a Traffic Crash Report (Form DMV-349). Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1, the report is filed with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days. You, an attorney, or an insurer may obtain a certified or uncertified copy once the report is approved and entered into the state database—typically three to five business days after the crash.

Step 1: Identify the Investigating Agency

  • City street – City Police Department
  • County road – County Sheriff’s Office
  • State or interstate highway – North Carolina State Highway Patrol

The agency name and report number appear on the exchange form the officer should hand you at the scene.

Step 2: Choose Your Request Method

  1. Online through the DMV Crash Report Portal
    ‑ Visit the secure site at NCDOT Crash Reports.
    ‑ Search by driver name, driver license number, report number, or date and county.
    ‑ Pay the $5 fee by credit card and download an instant PDF.
  2. By mail or in person
    ‑ Complete Form TR-67A (Crash Report Request).
    ‑ Include a check or money order for $5 payable to “NCDMV.”
    ‑ Mail or deliver to: Crash Reports Unit, 1515 N. Church St., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
  3. Directly from the local agency
    ‑ Many police records divisions offer walk-in requests or partner with buycrash.com or similar portals.
    ‑ Fees range from free to $5, and you may receive supplemental diagrams or witness statements not filed with DMV.

Step 3: Verify You Are an Authorized Recipient

Crash reports are public records (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1). Personal information such as telephone numbers or witness addresses may be redacted under § 20-43.1, but parties involved in the crash, their lawyers, and insurers may request unredacted copies.

Step 4: Review and Correct the Report

  • Confirm Basics – Date, time, location, vehicle descriptions, and insurance data.
  • Decode Traffic Citations – Boxes 14–19 show contributing circumstances; the DMV 349 instruction manual explains each code.
  • Spot Errors Early – If an officer mistakenly lists you as at-fault, immediately request a Supplemental Report. Provide photos, repair estimates, or witness statements.
  • Submit Amendments in Writing – Send a concise letter and supporting evidence to the investigating officer and keep copies for your claim file.

Any changes must be made by the officer; you cannot alter the document yourself.

Helpful Hints

  • Act quickly. Insurance adjusters often decide liability as soon as they receive the report.
  • Order two copies. Keep one pristine for court and use the other for notes.
  • Check for supplemental pages. Diagram pages and witness lists are easy to overlook.
  • Use a highlighter. Mark speed limits, weather, and visibility factors that support your position.
  • Consider legal guidance. An attorney can spot technical errors—such as wrong roadway configurations—that may shift fault.

Need help making sense of your crash report or correcting mistakes? Our North Carolina personal-injury team has years of experience guiding injured drivers through the claims process. Call 919-313-2737 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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