Are car accidents public record? Car accident reports are generally part of the public record, but certain personal information can be excluded from them in accordance with state and federal laws.
Talk with a car accident lawyer in Charlotte, and, if necessary, they can help you get an auto collision report.
Car Accidents Are Public Record When They Are Reported to the Police
If you dial 911 at the scene of a car crash, you have taken a first step toward making this incident part of the public record. When police officers come to the scene, you can discuss the incident with them. Next, these officers can put together a report. Once this report is final, your car accident can become a public record available to certain parties.
Generally, with car accidents, it’s ideal to notify the police about them as soon as they occur. However, if you wait until the next day to report your auto accident, it can still become part of the public record. When you do this, police officers will collect information about the accident and prepare a report.
Shane Smith Law has obtained more than $250 million in compensation for our clients over the last five years. If you want to get an accident report in Charlotte or are interested in filing an auto collision claim or lawsuit, we are here to help. Contact us today for more information.
Speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer and get a free consultation today.
Call (980) 294-4931How to Access a Car Accident Report That’s Public Record
As soon as your car accident is included in the public record and is made generally available, you can order a crash report online through the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You also have the option of requesting a copy of your report in person at a local DMV office or through the mail.
If the North Carolina State Highway Patrol has investigated your accident, you can search for a report of the incident online via the State Highway Patrol Collision Reports platform. You will have to provide your name, driver’s license number, or other relevant information to find your report.
A car accident report is incredibly valuable to those who are disputing liability for an auto accident. If the other driver says that you’re liable for a car accident in which you’re rear-ended or in another type of auto collision, the report could help prove that you’re not to blame. Plus, it can help you get fair compensation for your accident losses through a claim or lawsuit.
Car Accidents Won’t Be Public Record if They’re Not Reported Properly
If you are involved in an auto accident and do not report the incident to the authorities, it can hurt your claim. This can be problematic, since your insurance company will question why you didn’t report the accident. Failing to report an accident is often against a car insurance policy, further damaging your claim.
Outside of this, not reporting an auto accident can create legal complications. For example, if a motorist crashes into you and you both leave the scene, the other driver could later report to their insurance that you are at fault. In this situation, the other motorist may try to seek compensation from you for their accident losses.
Regardless of whether a friend crashes their car or if you’re directly involved in an auto accident, err on the side of caution. When you report an auto crash to the police, you can get a report detailing the incident. This report can make your auto accident a public record, and it can help you if you proceed with a claim or lawsuit against any responsible parties.
Making a Car Accident Public Record Can Impact an Insurance Claim
When your car accident is detailed in a public record, you can include it with your insurance claim. As insurance companies investigate your accident, they can use this report to help them establish liability. If the report indicates that you’re not at fault, it can help you prove that your compensation request is warranted.
If you’re wondering whether you really need a lawyer after a car accident, consider what can happen if you go through the insurance claims process alone. Even if you have an accident report, an insurer can dispute your claim. Or, the insurance company may offer a settlement that’s worth only a fraction of what you’ve incurred in losses.
Your lawyer can engage in settlement negotiations with an insurance company for you. They can use your car crash report that’s public record and other evidence to support your claim. If a settlement offer is made, you can assess it with your lawyer. If the offer is unacceptable, you can pursue compensation in court.
A Car Accident That Is Public Record Can Be Beneficial if You Sue Someone for Damages
Car accidents that are public record have reports associated with them. As such, if you sue someone for a car crash and reported the incident to the police previously, you can use your accident report as evidence.
Your accident report can help your lawyer prove negligence. It can include observations from police officers at the accident scene and other pertinent details. Because of this, it can help your lawyer show that the defendant was negligent and should be held responsible for your accident losses.
In your lawsuit, your accident report can be used in conjunction with photos and videos of your car crash, witness statements, and other forms of proof. This can establish liability so you can recover damages for your auto accident losses.
Learn More About Whether Car Crashes Are Public Record
The team at Shane Smith Law can answer any questions that you have about whether car collisions are public record.
As you deal with the ramifications of a car crash, we want to help you get compensation from any responsible parties. We encourage you to discuss your auto accident case with us. To get started, request a free case consultation.
