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
- 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. - 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. - 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.
