How Do I Look Up Accident Reports in North Carolina?

When you initially get into a car accident, it’s helpful to call the police to the scene of the accident so that they can start an initial investigation. Their findings are then collected in a police report that is available through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. These reports, although quickly done and not always perfectly accurate, often prove to be a good starting point when a Charlotte car accident lawyer begins their investigation of the accident.

How to Look Up a North Carolina Car Accident

Once a law enforcement agency has investigated a car accident and prepared its report, those reports are sent along to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Copies of the reports can be obtained in three different ways:

• By phone at (919) 861-3098
• Mailing a TR-67A form to:
  • NCDOT-DMV Traffic Records Section
    3106 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27697-3106
• In-person with a TR-67A form at either:
  • 4121 New Bern Ave.
    Raleigh, NC 27616or12101 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road
    Huntersville, NC 28078

What to Do After a Car Accident

While the accident report is helpful in investigating a car accident and seeking restitution for your injuries, there are a few other things you should do after an accident besides calling the police to report the accident. These steps can help strengthen or protect your ability to seek compensation.

• Medical Attention – Having an official medical record of your injuries can be important for proving that they are a result of the accident. It’s always a good idea to let the paramedics at the scene of the accident check for any traumatic injuries, even if you don’t believe that you have any. That could be because of shock, and they are trained to identify injuries in spite of the shock.Having your personal doctor give you a full examination soon after the accident may also be helpful in identifying non-traumatic injuries that you weren’t aware of at the scene of the accident.
• Documentation – Documentation is a critical process for any personal injury claim. In the case of a car accident, it can be helpful to document the scene of the accident, including any injuries, vehicle damage, and anything else that may be relevant. Additionally, continue to keep good records of anything related to the injuries you suffered and the costs, including doctor’s notes, medical bills, receipts for vehicle repairs, and other documentation.
• Don’t Admit Fault – It’s also important that you don’t admit fault for the accident. Anything that can be construed as you admitting fault could be used against you to hurt your ability to collect damages. You should be particularly careful when talking with anyone from an insurance company. Generally, it’s better to allow your lawyer to represent you and help you avoid saying anything that you may later regret.
• Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer – The sooner that you contact a lawyer after a car accident, the sooner that they will be able to begin work on your case. They can start their investigation to identify the properly liable party or parties and also help you avoid saying anything that might negatively impact your ability to collect damages.

FAQs

Q: What Accidents Are Required to Be Reported to the Police in North Carolina?

A: All “reportable” car accidents in North Carolina require local police or Highway Patrol to be summoned to the scene of the accident. According to the law, a reportable accident is any accident that involves one of the following criteria:

• $1000 or more in property damage
• Any damage to a vehicle seized by law enforcement
• Injuries
• Death

Q: How Long Do You Have to File an Accident Claim in North Carolina?

A: The statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which includes car accident claims, in North Carolina is three years. However, there could be some variance to that deadline, depending on the situation. Issues, such as whether or not a minor was involved, if the government was at fault, or if injuries were discovered later, could all impact the timeline, so it’s important to speak with a car accident lawyer quickly to get a better picture of the deadline in your case.

Q: What Causes Car Accidents?

A: Generally, people might assume that a car accident is caused by one of the drivers. It is true that many accidents are the result of a driver speeding, driving distracted, reckless driving, or some other violation of traffic law. However, there are other ways that accidents could be caused, such as issues with roads, signs, traffic lights, or a car part that malfunctions or is defective.

Q: Who Could Be Liable for a Car Accident?

A: Liability in a car accident is most frequently thought to belong to another driver in the collision. While this is regularly the case, there are times when other parties may be liable instead or in addition to another driver.

Sometimes, this could be a driver not directly involved in the collision which sparked the accident by causing others to have to evade their reckless driving. It could also be governments responsible for the roads or a manufacturer of a part. One of the jobs of your lawyer is to assess the situation and determine the liable party or parties.

Get Help Seeking Compensation for Your Car Accident

Car accident victims often face substantial costs as a result of the accident and their injuries. Costs like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the psychological impact weigh on these individuals. While the law says that this compensation is the responsibility of whoever caused the accident, it can often be challenging to get that compensation. A Charlotte car accident lawyer can often be a critical part of getting the compensation that these victims are owed.

At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, we have extensive experience working with car accident victims seeking fair restitution. We make use of evidence like police reports in our efforts. However, there are times when those reports, which are done quickly, fail to capture what happened properly. Our investigation may reveal something a little different than what’s in the report and could benefit your claim. Contact us today to find out more about how we may be able to help you.