Short Answer

In North Carolina, you can usually get a copy of a law-enforcement crash report by requesting it from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or, in many cases, from the local law enforcement agency that investigated the wreck. State law requires the investigating officer to complete the written crash report within 24 hours, and the report is then forwarded through the proper channels, which can take additional time. In practice, many reports become available within days, but timing varies by agency, weekends/holidays, and whether the report needs corrections.

Understanding the Problem

If you were in a North Carolina car accident and you need the police report, the key question is how you (as the driver involved) can request the crash report and when you should expect it to be ready, especially since you are currently trying to obtain it.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law, when a crash is a “reportable accident,” the appropriate law enforcement agency must investigate it, and the investigating officer must prepare a written crash report within 24 hours. For reports made by law enforcement officers, the reports are public records and are generally open to inspection. North Carolina law also directs that the DMV must provide a certified copy of a law-enforcement crash report to a member of the general public who requests it and pays the required fee. Practically, that means the DMV is a reliable statewide source for obtaining an official copy, even if the crash was investigated by a city police department, a sheriff’s office, or the State Highway Patrol.

Key Requirements

• There must be a law-enforcement crash report: A report is typically created when law enforcement investigates a “reportable accident.”
• Request it from the right place: You can often request through the investigating agency, but the DMV is the central repository once the report is forwarded.
• Have identifying details ready: The date and location of the crash, the parties’ names, and/or the report number help the agency locate the correct report.
• Pay the required fee for a certified DMV copy: North Carolina law allows the DMV to charge a fee for providing the certified report copy.
• Expect processing/forwarding time: Even though the officer must write the report quickly, it can take additional time for the report to be entered, reviewed, and forwarded.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reports; timing; public access) - Requires the investigating officer to make a written report within 24 hours, sets forwarding rules, and states law-enforcement crash reports are public records; DMV must provide a certified copy upon request and payment of the fee.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4 (Law enforcement investigation records) - Explains that criminal investigation records are generally not public, but this is separate from the public status of law-enforcement crash reports addressed in the motor vehicle statutes.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and you are trying to obtain the police report, the practical path is to request the crash report either from the investigating law enforcement agency or from the North Carolina DMV once the report has been forwarded and processed. North Carolina law contemplates quick report writing (within 24 hours) and then forwarding, so the most common reason for delay is not whether a report exists, but where it is in the pipeline (officer completion, supervisor review, records entry, and DMV receipt).

Process & Timing

1. Who files: The driver involved (or someone assisting the driver, such as an insurance company). Where: Either (a) the records unit of the investigating law enforcement agency (city police department, county sheriff’s office, or State Highway Patrol), or (b) the North Carolina DMV once the report is on file. What: Request a copy of the law-enforcement crash report (often identified by a “crash report number” if you have it). When: Many people can request within a few days, but availability depends on when the report is finalized and entered.
2. Agency processing: Even though the officer must prepare the written report within 24 hours, the report may still need internal review and data entry before a records office can release it, and then it may take additional time to be forwarded to the DMV.
3. Receiving your copy: Once the report is available at the agency or the DMV, you can obtain a copy (often a certified copy through the DMV if you need an official version for insurance or legal purposes).

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• No report was generated: If law enforcement did not investigate (for example, a minor incident where no officer responded), there may be no law-enforcement crash report to request.
• Requesting the wrong record: A “police report” can mean different things. For a traffic collision, you usually want the crash report (not a criminal investigation file, which can be restricted under different rules).
• Delays from corrections or supplements: If the report has errors (names, insurance information, vehicle details) or needs a supplemental report, it may take longer to finalize and release.
• Not having enough identifying information: If you do not have the report number, be ready to provide the crash date, location, and the involved drivers’ names to help locate it.
• Assuming “24 hours” means you can pick it up the next day: The 24-hour rule is about the officer completing the report, not a guarantee that the public can obtain a copy immediately.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, you typically obtain a car accident police report by requesting the law-enforcement crash report from the investigating agency or from the DMV after the report is forwarded and processed. The officer generally must complete the written report within 24 hours, but it often takes additional time before you can actually receive a copy. Next step: request the crash report from the DMV (or the investigating agency) as soon as you have the crash date and location, and follow up if it is not available after several business days.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.