After you’re in a car accident, police officers will conduct an investigation and report their findings in a report. Our car accident lawyers typically review these reports when pursuing compensation for clients who were injured or lost loved ones in accidents. Insurance companies also review the “accident report” when determining how much money to offer victims for their losses.
If you were in an accident, we recommend that you obtain a copy of your report as soon as possible and carefully examine the document.
Visit the North Carolina Department of Transportation website at the following link for a copy of the report: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/records/.
As a special service, Hull & Chandler, P.A., has provided a number of tips for reading your North Carolina accident report. Review the sample document below that contains our comments. Compare it to your own report. If you need help interpreting your accident report, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. We can help you, free of charge. Call 704-375-8488 today for a free case consultation.
The Location section of your accident report contains information about where your accident occurred, including date, time, town, street name and vehicle direction.
Several boxes, labeled as Unit Numbers, record contact information for parties involved in the accident. This includes name and address; license number; suspected drug and alcohol use and drug test results (if applicable).
Vehicle information is recorded for each Unit involved in the crash. This includes make/model; license plate information; vehicle identification number (VIN); insurance information and estimated damages.
Names and Addresses for All Persons are recorded by law enforcement officials, including whether drivers, passengers, pedestrians or other bystanders are taken to the hospital after the accident.
Police record how they believe the accident occurred in the Crash Sequence box, including potential driver errors. Vehicle Information and Roadway Information are also recorded by officers, including the speed limit, presence of skid marks at the accident scene, estimated speed of impact and road defects.
The officer who responded to the accident fills out a pictorial Diagram of how he or she believes your accident occurred, accompanied by a written Narrative. Look over this information carefully. Officers have an opportunity to document the particular details of your accident in this section.
Police document property damage, Witness information and any recorded Traffic Violations at the scene of the accident.
