To get a police accident report in Charlotte, NC, you can request one online, in person, or by phone through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. An experienced attorney can also obtain a copy on your behalf. If you were hurt in a car accident, getting a copy of your police accident report should be one of your first priorities.
While you focus on your recovery, the accident report can provide details about what happened, who was involved, and which insurance companies may be responsible. It can also become a key piece of evidence if you decide to pursue an injury claim.
Unfortunately, many people are unsure where to find their report or what information it contains. If you were involved in a crash in the Charlotte area, an experienced Charlotte car accident lawyer can help you get a copy of your accident report.
How A Police Accident Report Can Help With Your Claim
A police accident report contains valuable information that can help you after a crash. Insurance companies often rely on the report during their investigation, and it may also help your attorney build your claim.
North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can prevent an injury victim from pursuing compensation if they are even 1% at fault.
Insurance companies often review police accident reports looking for information they can use to argue that an injured person shares responsibility for the crash. The police accident report can help prove that you were not partially responsible and protect your right to pursue damages.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, the report may include:
- The names and contact information of everyone involved
- Insurance information for each driver
- Contact information for witnesses
- The responding officer’s observations
- A diagram showing how the collision occurred
- Vehicle damage descriptions
- Road, weather, and traffic conditions
- Any traffic citations that were issued
- Statements from the drivers and witnesses
Although the report is evidence in your case, it does not automatically determine who is legally responsible for the crash. Instead, it provides information that insurance companies and attorneys use when evaluating liability.
The Police Officer’s Codes Determining Fault
Many people are surprised to learn that accident reports contain codes and contributing factors that may not be obvious when reviewing the document for the first time. These codes help describe what the investigating officer believed contributed to the collision. We can help you locate this information on the report when you call our office.
While an accident victim is unlikely to understand what these codes mean, they are the first thing that the insurance carrier looks at when making a liability determination. However, they are only one factor when determining liability.
Since any fault being assigned to you can result in an end to your claim under North Carolina’s contributory negligence rules, insurers frequently look for any reason to argue that an injured person shares responsibility for the crash. A police accident report can help counter these arguments.
Our legal team can review your accident report with you, explain what the officer’s findings mean, and discuss how they may affect your injury claim. Having a lawyer decipher an accident report can help you use the officer’s findings to support your claim.
We Can Help You Get Your Accident Report
Our law firm has an account with the City of Charlotte and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which allows us to regularly obtain accident reports for our clients from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the NC State Highway Patrol.
If you are unable to locate your report or simply don’t want to spend time tracking it down while recovering from your injuries, our team can help. During your free consultation, we can also answer questions about the accident and explain your legal options.
For more than 30 years, Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers has helped injured people throughout North Carolina obtain police accident reports and use them during the claims process. We handle communication with insurance companies and pursue the compensation our clients need while they focus on healing.
How To Get A Charlotte Accident Report Online
If your accident was investigated by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), you can usually purchase your report online through the department’s report portal.
To search for your report, you may need one or more of the following:
- The accident report number
- Date of the accident
- Last name of the driver
- Location of the accident
Reports are generally available within several business days after the crash, although processing times can vary.
There is currently a small fee to download a crash report online, payable by credit or debit card.
How To Get Your Report In Person
You may also request your report by visiting the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Records Division or another designated CMPD location that provides records services.
Before making the trip, it is a good idea to confirm office hours and identification requirements. Bringing information such as the accident date, report number, or driver’s name can help staff locate your report more quickly.
Some reports may be available without an online processing fee, although applicable copy charges or local policies may change over time.
Requesting Your Report By Phone
If you are having difficulty locating your report online, you may contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Records Division for assistance.
A records representative can often help you determine whether your report is available and explain what information you need to request a copy. Having details such as the accident date, location, or report number available can speed up the process.
Steps To Take After You Receive Your Police Accident Report
Once you receive your accident report, review it carefully. Make sure basic information, such as names, vehicle information, and the accident location, is accurate.
If you notice factual errors, you may be able to request a correction through the investigating law enforcement agency. However, officers generally will not change opinions or conclusions simply because one driver disagrees with them.
Even if the report appears accurate, it is still a good idea to have an experienced attorney review it before speaking extensively with the insurance company. An attorney may identify issues that affect your claim, including missing evidence, witness information, or questions about liability.
Get A Free Consultation And A Free Accident Report
If you were injured in a Charlotte car accident, you do not have to handle everything on your own. At Auger & Auger, our team can help you obtain your police accident report, explain what it means, and discuss whether you may have a personal injury claim.
We can use your accident report to protect your claim if an insurer is trying to shift blame to take advantage of North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule. Our team understands the tactics that insurers use and the best ways to counter them.
We offer free consultations, and through our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, you owe no attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today to get started. You can request your free accident report and learn how we may be able to help you move forward after your accident.
