Why These Records Matter
A police crash report is often a helpful starting point because it may list the drivers involved, basic crash details, witness information, and insurance information that was provided at the scene. It can also help confirm the date, time, and location of the collision—details that matter when you are trying to open an insurance claim or document missed work and medical care.
That said, a missing report does not automatically mean you were scammed or that you cannot bring a claim. Reports can be delayed, filed under a different responding agency, or indexed in a way that makes self-searching difficult.
What to Request
- Core documents: The North Carolina law enforcement crash report (often called the DMV crash report), plus any supplemental crash report if one was later added.
- Helpful add-ons: Any available incident/call-for-service record for the 911 call, officer notes if obtainable through the agency’s process, and any photos or diagrams created during the investigation (if they exist).
How to Request Them (General Steps)
- Identify the holder: In NC, crash reports investigated by law enforcement are typically forwarded to the NC Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Also identify which agency likely responded (city police vs. sheriff vs. Highway Patrol), because the local agency may have its own copy or a separate incident record.
- Authorization: You usually do not need a medical-style authorization for a law enforcement crash report, but you do need enough identifying information for the agency/DMV to locate it (for example: date, approximate time, location, and at least one driver name). If you hire counsel, your attorney can also request records using firm letterhead and the correct request channels.
- Follow-up: Keep a simple paper trail: the date you requested, who you spoke with, what they said, and any confirmation numbers. If you are told “no record,” ask whether they searched by (a) date range, (b) location variations, and (c) both drivers’ names.
What to Do If Records Are Delayed, Missing, or Incorrect
- Widen the search terms: Near a campus area, the “street name” you use may not match how the location was entered. Try nearby intersections, road numbers, or common alternate names for the same roadway.
- Check the “wrong agency” problem: If you called one department, the report may actually be with a different agency that had jurisdiction where the crash was logged.
- Ask about timing and supplements: Some reports are not immediately available, and some crashes get a supplemental report later. If you were transported for medical care, that can also affect how and when information was gathered.
- If no report exists, build proof another way: You can often document the crash through photos, vehicle total-loss paperwork, towing/storage records, repair estimates, medical records showing prompt evaluation after the collision, wage-loss documentation, and witness statements. A police report can help, but it is not the only way to prove what happened.
- Watch for “scam” red flags without assuming one: It is reasonable to be cautious if someone contacts you claiming to have a “report” or demanding money. But a missing report is more commonly a filing/indexing/jurisdiction issue than fraud.
How This Applies
Apply to your facts: Because you did not receive a report number at the scene and your crash happened near a campus area, it is worth re-checking which agency had jurisdiction and searching by a broader location description and time window. Since you went to the hospital, missed work, and the vehicle was totaled, you likely have strong alternative documentation (medical visit records, wage records, and vehicle loss paperwork) that can support an insurance claim even if the crash report takes time to locate or was never completed.
What the Statutes Say (Optional)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reports and investigations) – Requires law enforcement to investigate certain reportable crashes and explains that law enforcement crash reports are public records and available through the DMV for a fee.
Conclusion
If the police cannot find a record of your accident, it usually means the report is filed under a different agency, location description, or timeline—or it may not exist. Your next step is to request the crash report through the NC DMV and re-check jurisdiction with a broader search approach. At the same time, preserve other proof (photos, total-loss paperwork, medical and wage records) so your claim does not depend on a single document. If deadlines may be an issue, talk with a licensed North Carolina attorney promptly.
