What information do I need to request the correct accident report if the report number I have is incomplete or wrong? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, an investigating officer’s crash report is generally a public record, and a copy can usually be located even if the report number is incomplete or wrong. The most helpful identifiers are the crash date and approximate time, the crash location (road name and nearby intersection or mile marker), and at least one involved person’s name or a vehicle plate number. If the crash involved a death, asking whether a supplemental report was filed can also help match the correct record.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina, what information is needed to request the correct law enforcement accident report when the report number is missing digits, transposed, or belongs to a different crash? The decision point is whether enough identifying details exist to allow the correct law enforcement agency or the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to locate the report by crash details instead of by report number. The key trigger is the crash itself and which agency investigated it, because that determines where the report was first sent and how it is indexed.

Apply the Law

North Carolina law requires law enforcement to investigate a “reportable” crash and prepare a written report promptly, then forward it through the proper channels. Reports made by law enforcement officers (and certain death-related reports) are generally treated as public records and are available for inspection and copying, including certified copies through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. If a person later dies from crash injuries and the death was not included in the original crash report, the investigating officer must file a supplemental report that includes the death, which can affect how the record is matched and retrieved.

Key Requirements

Correct investigating agency: Identify whether the crash was handled by a city/town police department, the county sheriff, or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, based on where the crash happened.
Enough identifiers to locate the record: Provide a combination of date/time, location, and at least one person/vehicle identifier (such as a driver name or license plate) so staff can search even without a correct report number.
Request the right version of the report: If the crash later resulted in a death, ask about any supplemental report so the request captures the complete file tied to the crash.

What the Statutes Say

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reports; investigation; public access) – Requires investigation and a written crash report for reportable crashes, sets forwarding timelines, treats officer reports as public records, and addresses supplemental reporting when a crash-related death occurs within 12 months.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166 (Duties at the scene of a crash) – Describes duties to stop, provide identifying information, and call for help, which often determines what identifying information appears in the crash report.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: When a report number is incomplete or wrong, the practical way to get the correct North Carolina crash report is to help the agency locate the record using the same core fields the report is built around: when the crash happened, where it happened, and who/what was involved. If the crash later resulted in a death, the file may include a supplemental report, so the request should flag that possibility to avoid receiving an earlier, incomplete version.

Process & Timing

Who files: The requester (often a family member, insurance representative, or attorney). Where: Start with the investigating law enforcement agency (city/town police department, county sheriff’s office, or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol) and, for certified copies, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. What: Request the “crash report” (and any “supplemental report” if a death occurred after the crash). When: As soon as possible after the crash; for reportable crashes, the officer generally prepares a written report within 24 hours and the report is forwarded afterward, so availability can depend on processing time.
Provide identifiers instead of the report number: Give (a) crash date and approximate time, (b) exact or approximate location (street/highway name plus cross street, landmark, or mile marker), and (c) at least one of the following: a driver/passenger name, a vehicle license plate number, or the vehicle make/model/color. If emergency response occurred, include the responding agency name if known.
Confirm completeness before relying on it: Ask whether the report is marked “final,” whether any supplemental report exists, and whether the report lists all involved vehicles and injured persons. Then request the correct copy (certified if needed for a formal claim or court filing).

Exceptions & Pitfalls

Wrong agency problem: A request can fail if it goes to the wrong office. In North Carolina, the “appropriate law enforcement agency” depends on whether the crash occurred inside a city/town or outside it.
Too little location detail: “On the highway near town” often is not enough. A cross street, mile marker, or nearby landmark can be the difference between finding the correct report and pulling the wrong one.
Name variations and misspellings: Reports can contain spelling errors, nicknames, or hyphenated names. Providing alternate spellings and a date of birth (if available) can help staff match the correct record.
Multiple related reports: A serious crash can generate more than one document (initial crash report, supplemental report, citations, or investigative materials). Asking specifically for the crash report and any supplements helps avoid an incomplete production.
Certified vs. uncertified copies: Some situations call for a certified copy. If a certified copy is needed, request it specifically rather than assuming any copy will work.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, a law enforcement crash report is usually retrievable even when the report number is incomplete or wrong, as long as the request includes enough identifying details. The most useful information is the crash date and approximate time, the crash location, and at least one person or vehicle identifier such as a name or license plate number. The most important next step is to request the crash report (and any supplemental report) from the investigating law enforcement agency or the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney

If a fatal crash occurred and locating the correct accident report has become difficult because the report number is incomplete or wrong, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help identify the right agency, request the correct records, and track key timelines. Call us today at (919) 341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.