Police accident reports in Mooresville, North Carolina, can be obtained through the NCDMV by mail or in person. Copies available to the public have names, addresses, and other personal details removed to meet privacy laws.
However, a Mooresville car accident lawyer can access full, unredacted reports under federal regulations. Crash reports include the officer’s findings, statements from those involved, and any citations issued, which are all important for demonstrating the negligence of the at-fault party.
A lawyer can use the report to challenge insurance companies that attempt to shift blame onto you under North Carolina’s “contributory negligence” laws, which bar you from recovering damages if you are found even 1% at fault.
Who Is Eligible to Obtain a Police Accident Report in North Carolina?
Police accident reports made available to the public must have personal details, such as names, addresses, and contact information, redacted to protect privacy. Only those with a lawful purpose, such as attorneys or certain organizations, may access unredacted reports.
A Mooresville personal injury lawyer can request an unredacted report under the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), 18 U.S.C. § 2721–2725.
Redacted Accident Reports
Individuals directly involved in a crash can request redacted reports from the NCDMV by mail or in person. These reports omit sensitive personal information for privacy reasons. Redacted reports cannot be ordered online.
For those who prefer to request the report in person, it can be done at select locations. Bring a completed TR-67A form along with the $6.50 fee (check or money order only).
Depending on how the crash was reported, the report may need to be requested at one of these locations:
- Raleigh Central Services/License Plate Agency
4121 New Bern Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27616
- Huntersville License Plate Agency
12101 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Individuals directly involved in a crash can also request a redacted report by mail through the NCDMV. Complete the TR-67A form and include a $6.50 check or money order made payable to NCDMV.
Be sure the payment is signed and accurate to avoid delays before mailing the form and payment to the address listed on the TR-67A form. Processing for mailed requests can take up to 10 business days after the request is received.
Unredacted Accident Reports
Unredacted police accident reports, which include personal details, are only available to businesses or organizations with a permissible use under the DPPA.
These include:
- Attorneys can request full reports to represent injured clients and file legal claims.
- Insurance companies can request unredacted reports to process personal injury claims.
- Private investigators can request unredacted reports when investigating within the scope of permissible use.
These regulations protect individuals’ privacy by limiting access to sensitive data.
How Mooresville Car Accident Attorneys Use Police Accident Reports to Secure Compensation
Car accident attorneys use police accident reports to counter attempts by insurers to shift blame onto the injured party. In North Carolina, the state’s contributory negligence rule means that if an injured person is found even 1% at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering compensation. Insurance companies exploit this rule to minimize or deny claims.
An attorney uses the police accident report to fight these tactics and secure compensation by:
- Establishing fault: The report includes the responding officer’s observations about the circumstances of the crash, fault determinations, and any citations issued. Attorneys use this information to refute accusations of contributory negligence and demonstrate that the at-fault party bears full responsibility for the collision.
- Challenging insurers’ blame–shifting tactics: Police reports contain documentation that can shield victims from blame-shifting tactics, such as diagrams of the crash scene, witness accounts, and assessments of road conditions.
- Correcting errors that could be used against you: If the police report contains inaccuracies, such as mistakes in describing the events leading to the crash, a Mooresville car accident attorney can take steps to amend the record. Ensuring the report is accurate prevents insurers from using errors to shift blame onto you.
Mooresville truck accident lawyers leverage every detail in the police accident report to push back against unfair claims, protect their client’s rights, and pursue compensation.
When to Hire a Lawyer to Get a Police Accident Report in Mooresville, NC
You can hire an attorney immediately after an accident. The sooner you do, the sooner they can begin building your claim, which includes getting a police accident report. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally three years from the date of the accident, per N.C.G.S. § 1-52.
Missing this deadline means you lose the right to pursue any compensation at all. An attorney can promptly secure evidence, protect your filing deadline, and begin building your claim before insurers gain an advantage. Acting early also prevents insurers from using delays to their advantage.
Auger & Auger Can Get a Police Accident Report in Mooresville, NC, and Handle Your Claim
At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with insurance companies while trying to recover from a car accident.
Trying to file a claim without an attorney in North Carolina can put your right to compensation at risk, especially because insurers often exploit contributory negligence laws.
Let us take the burden off your shoulders. We’ll handle everything, from obtaining the police accident report to protecting your claim from tactics designed to deny or reduce your compensation.
With our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, you won’t pay anything upfront or attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you pursue the settlement you need to recover from your injuries and losses.
