Why These Records Matter
When the other driver won’t provide insurance information, you still need a reliable way to identify (1) who the driver was, (2) what vehicle was involved, and (3) what insurance or rental coverage may apply. The crash report is often the fastest “starting point” because it typically lists the parties, vehicles, and insurance details the officer collected during the investigation.
Also, if you later need to pursue an injury claim, having the correct insurer and policy information helps avoid delays and reduces the risk of sending your claim to the wrong place.
What to Request
- Certified crash report (DMV-349): This is the main document that often contains the other driver’s insurance information and basic crash details.
- Any supplemental crash report: Sometimes an officer adds or corrects information after the initial report.
- Any available attachments: Diagrams, witness list, and citation information (if any) can help confirm identities and coverage leads.
How to Request Them (General Steps)
- Start with the crash report: In North Carolina, crash reports investigated by law enforcement are forwarded to the NC Division of Motor Vehicles, and they are public records. You can request a certified copy through DMV or sometimes through the investigating law enforcement agency’s records unit.
- Use the right identifiers: Have the crash date, general location (Durham area is fine), and the drivers’ names if you know them. If you only know the rental car information, the report can still help connect the dots.
- Review the “insurance/financial responsibility” section carefully: With rental cars, the listed “insurance” may reflect a rental company, a personal auto policy, or sometimes incomplete information. If anything looks off, that’s a sign to request a supplement or follow up.
- Open a claim using what you have: Even if the other driver’s insurance is unknown, you can usually open a claim with your own auto insurer and provide the crash report once you receive it. (This is general process information, not a coverage opinion.)
What to Do If Records Are Delayed, Missing, or Incorrect
- Document every request: Keep a simple log of who you contacted, the date, and what you were told.
- Ask about supplements: If the report is missing insurance information or lists “unknown,” ask whether a supplemental report can be filed or whether additional information was collected later.
- Don’t rely on the report alone: Crash reports are a helpful starting point, but they can be incomplete—especially if one driver didn’t cooperate at the scene. If the report doesn’t solve the insurance question, a lawyer can use formal methods to identify the correct carrier later if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
How This Applies
Apply to your facts: Because police responded and a report was made, requesting the certified DMV-349 crash report is the first step to identify the other driver’s insurance information. Since both vehicles were rentals, it’s especially important to review the report for the listed “insurance/financial responsibility” entry and any rental-company details, then use that information to start the right claims. Separately, worsening neck and back pain can become harder to connect to the crash if there’s a long gap in documentation, so keep careful notes of symptoms and dates even if you have not sought treatment yet.
What the Statutes Say (Optional)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 – Requires law enforcement to investigate reportable crashes and prepare a written report that includes financial responsibility (insurance) information for the at-fault vehicle; law enforcement crash reports are public records.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-42 – Authorizes DMV to provide certified copies of accident reports for a set fee.
Conclusion
If the other driver refused to share insurance information at the scene, the crash report is usually the most direct way to identify the correct coverage in North Carolina. Request the certified DMV-349, check the insurance/financial responsibility section carefully (especially with rental cars), and keep a written log of your follow-ups. One practical next step is to get the report and have a North Carolina personal injury attorney review it with you to confirm you’re pursuing the claim through the right channels.
