Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers | September 24, 2025 | Car Accidents
After a car accident, everything moves fast: medical care, insurance calls, and repairs. One document quietly ties these threads together: the official North Carolina crash report, known as the DMV-349. Understanding when a crash report is required, what it contains, and how to get a copy can make the next steps much smoother.
When a Crash Report Is Required in North Carolina
After an accident, North Carolina law requires drivers to notify law enforcement right away if the crash is considered reportable. You must report a car accident if someone is injured or killed, or the crash causes property damage of $1,000 or more. You should also report if you have been the victim of a hit and run, regardless of apparent damage.
Even when it isn’t required, reporting an accident and having a crash report created is helpful for the insurance claims process, especially if you realize later that you were hurt.
The investigating officer – a city police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or state trooper – prepares the DMV-349 and submits it to the DMV. The report is usually submitted within 24 hours and becomes available within a few days or up to one week.
Understanding Your Crash Report
The DMV-349 contains much more information than it may seem at first glance. It may also resemble a puzzle with many numbered but unlabeled boxes filled with unexplained numbers. You’ll need to use the DMV-349 code sheet reference to decipher the information on the report.
On the first page, the small numbered boxes along the left and right margins are used to denote important information like:
- Crash type or the first and most harmful events (e.g., ran off road, collision with another vehicle, rear end, or sideswipe)
- Contributing circumstances assigned to each driver, roadway conditions, and non-motorists
- Road surface condition
- Weather conditions and ambient light
- Whether the weather contributed to the crash
You can use the code sheet guide to learn what the numbers in each box mean.
Information Included in a North Carolina Crash Report
The crash report contains a wealth of information in just two pages.
There are sections with detailed information about:
- People involved, including driver and owner information, contact details, license, and insurance information
- Vehicle information with commercial vehicle & trailer fields when applicable
- Location data, such as roadway, intersection, mile markers, and direction of travel
- Crash dynamics including, vehicle maneuvers, sequence of events, most harmful event, speed estimates, road and weather conditions
- Injuries & EMS transport details
- Suspected alcohol/drug use, whether a test was performed, and results (if any)
- Witnesses and contact information
- Diagram drawn by the officer
- Officer’s narrative
- Traffic violations with citations if issued
The report itself does not determine fault; instead, insurers or the courts do. However, the report is important in the insurance company’s investigation. The crash narrative and diagram, in particular, may be given a lot of weight by the insurance company.
How to Order a Crash Report in North Carolina
There are several ways to obtain a certified copy of your accident report once it becomes available.
- Online: Use the PayIt service to order your crash report. You will need your North Carolina driver license number, Social Security number, and the date of the crash.
- By Mail: Complete the Crash Report Request form (TR-67A) and send it with a check or money order made payable to NCDMV. Processing may take up to ten business days after receipt.
- In Person: Visit either the Raleigh Central Services/License Plate Agency or the Huntersville License Plate Agency.
Each of these options provides you with a certified copy, which is often required by insurers, courts, or other official purposes.
Contact the Goldsboro Car Accident Lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Help Today
After an accident, a crash report can make all the difference in proving your case and protecting your rights. But navigating the process of obtaining, reviewing, and correcting your report can be stressful, especially while you’re recovering from injuries. That’s where legal guidance comes in.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, our Goldsboro car accident attorneys know how to use accident reports effectively in settlement negotiations and court. If you’ve been injured in a crash, don’t leave your future to chance.
For more information, please contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in North Carolina today. We have twelve convenient locations in North Carolina, including Greenville, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Kinston, Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem & Garner.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Raleigh Office
4600 Marriott Dr STE 500, Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 876-3020
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Durham Office
100 E Parrish St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 728-1770
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Goldsboro Office
601 N Spence Ave, Goldsboro, NC 27534
(919) 778-9700
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Charlotte Office
1914 J N Pease Pl Suite 142, Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 486-5824
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greenville Office
300 E Arlington Blvd Suite 2A #110, Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 397-8620
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2517 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28305
(910) 387-9186
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greensboro Office
7B Corporate Center Ct Suite 15, Greensboro, NC 27408
(336) 516-9066
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville Office
3391 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-5599
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Garner Office
500 Benson Rd Suite 111, Garner, NC 27529
(800) 525-7111
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Kinston Office
807 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 397-8624
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Wilmington Office
1608 Queen St Suite 12, Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 889-4064
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Winston-Salem Office
102 W 3rd St, Ste 1007, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 516-9042