After a car accident in North Carolina, one of the most critical documents you’ll receive is the North Carolina Crash Report Form, also known as DMV-349. This two-page report, often referred to as the NC police report, plays a key role in documenting the accident scene, including the crash location, the involved vehicles, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. It contains vital information about your accident, but it’s filled with numerical codes and abbreviations that require careful interpretation.
Learning how to read police report codes in North Carolina is essential for protecting your rights and building a strong insurance claim or legal case. The NC police report captures essential details from the immediate aftermath of the accident, which can be crucial for gathering evidence and understanding what happened. If you need help interpreting your report, contact Hardison & Cochran for guidance on how to read a police report.
Introduction to Accident Reports
An accident report, also known as a police report or crash report, is an official document prepared by law enforcement officers after a car accident in North Carolina. This comprehensive document captures vital details about the accident, including the date, time, exact location, and the circumstances surrounding it.
The North Carolina accident report serves as a crucial piece of evidence when determining fault and is often the foundation for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Because the information in your report can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation, it’s essential to carefully review every detail. If you have questions or concerns about your accident report, experienced car accident attorneys can help you interpret the findings and guide you through the next steps to protect your rights.
How to Obtain Your North Carolina Police Report
Before you can read your accident report, you need to obtain a copy. North Carolina law requires responding officers to make the report available within 24 hours of completing their investigation. You can access your car accident report through the North Carolina DMV website or by contacting the law enforcement agency that responded to your accident. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is responsible for collecting and providing access to crash reports. At Hardison & Cochran, we routinely obtain accident reports for our clients as part of our legal services.
When requesting your report, you will need to provide relevant information such as the date of the accident, the location, and the names of the drivers involved.
Breaking Down the Key Sections of an NC Accident Report
The DMV-349 form is divided into several sections, each containing specific information about your accident. This form is used to document auto accident investigations in North Carolina. The report may also include additional details that clarify how the accident occurred. Here are the most critical aspects of an NC crash site:
Location and Basic Information
The upper portion of page one contains fundamental details, such as:
- Date and time of the accident
- County and municipality
- Specific location, including the highway number or street name
- GPS coordinates, if available
The report will often also note the distance to the nearest intersection or any nearby railroad crossing to pinpoint the exact accident location. This section establishes the basic facts of when and where your accident happened.
Driver and Vehicle Information
Each driver and vehicle involved gets a “Unit” designation. These boxes contain the following information about each driver and their vehicle:
- Name
- Address
- License information
- Vehicle make and model
- VIN
- License plate number
- Insurance information
- Estimated damage amount
The report will specify the owner’s information if it is different from the driver’s.
If a commercial vehicle is involved, this will be specially indicated in the report.
Always verify this information for accuracy, as mistakes can cause complications with your insurance claim.
Occupant and Injury Information
This section documents everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. It records seating position, safety equipment used, airbag deployment, injury status, and EMS transport information. The injury classifications are particularly important. North Carolina uses codes ranging from fatal injury (Code 1) to no apparent injury (Code 5).
This section provides critical information for accident victims seeking compensation for personal injury, as accurate documentation of injuries and those involved can significantly impact personal injury claims.
What Is on a Police Report for a Car Accident: NC DMV 349 Code Sheet Explained
The most challenging aspect of reading your accident report is decoding the numerical entries, particularly in the contributing circumstances sections. Each report, including the DMV-349 form, is assigned a unique police report incident number. This number is important for referencing your case in legal and insurance matters.
Critical Contributing Circumstances Codes (Boxes 14-19)
This is the most important section of your report. Boxes 14-16 document contributing circumstances for Driver 1, while boxes 17-19 are for Driver 2. The responding law enforcement officer can enter up to three codes per driver. A “0” means no contributing circumstances were indicated.
According to the NC DMV 349 code sheet, common codes include:
- Code 1: Disregarded yield sign
- Code 2: Disregarded stop sign
- Code 6: Exceeded authorized speed limit
- Code 11: Crossed centerline/going wrong way
- Code 19: Failed to yield right of way
- Code 20: Inattention
- Code 25: Followed too closely
- Code 30: Alcohol use
- Code 35: Driver distracted by electronic communication device
If Driver 1’s boxes contain codes while Driver 2’s boxes show “0” or remain blank, the police officer is indicating they believe Driver 1 was at fault for the accident. The responding officer’s determination of fault is based on these codes, and this determination can play a significant role in insurance claims and legal proceedings. Reviewing these codes can also raise questions about the other party’s negligence or your own contributory negligence, so it’s important to scrutinize this section carefully.
Roadway Contributing Circumstances
Boxes 12-13 identify road conditions that may have contributed to the crash, including road surface condition, debris, work zones, or traffic control device problems. The report may also document physical conditions, such as vision obstructions or other hazards, that contributed to the crash.
Crash Level Events
Boxes 10-11 classify the type of collision using codes for non-collision events (run off road, overturn), collisions with pedestrians or objects, or collisions between motor vehicles (rear-end, head-on, angle crashes).
The crash scene is where emergency responders, such as EMS professionals, arrive and gather initial information about the accident for the report.
Alcohol and Drug Testing Information
Boxes 37-39 document suspected impairment, testing performed, and test results, including blood alcohol content. These entries are crucial in DWI-related accidents and significantly impact liability determinations.
Vehicle Damage Codes
Box 43 uses abbreviations such as FC (front concentrated), FL (front left corner), and LP (left side door) to indicate which parts of the vehicle were damaged. The severity is rated from 0 (no damage) to 7 (most severe damage).
Common Errors in Accident Reports and How to Correct Them
Based on our four decades of experience, we commonly see errors in accident reports that can affect your case.
Typical Report Errors
- Incorrect vehicle damage descriptions
- Errors in the crash diagram
- Wrong placement of passengers or drivers
- Misquoted statements
- Unreported injuries
- Missing witness information
- Incorrect road conditions or vehicle speeds
- Driver information errors
The Correction Process
If you spot an error in your police report, act quickly. Police departments typically will not change an existing report but may file a supplemental report with corrected information. Contact the police department immediately, provide documentation supporting your correction, explain specifically what information is incorrect, and request that a supplemental report be filed.
The accident report is based on the officer’s determination using information gathered at the scene. The officer typically did not witness the accident and may have varying levels of training in accident reconstruction. You have every right to challenge inaccurate details.
Understanding North Carolina Car Accident Laws
North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which means that if the insurance company can show you were even slightly at fault for the accident, you may be barred from receiving any compensation—even if the other driver was primarily responsible. This makes it especially important to understand every aspect of your police report after a car accident.
The North Carolina police report contains detailed information about the drivers involved, the responding officer’s observations, and the results of the police investigation. Pay close attention to the contributing circumstances and any special circumstances listed in the report, as these can directly affect your ability to pursue a personal injury claim. By understanding how these factors are documented, you can better protect yourself against attempts by the insurance company to shift blame and minimize your recovery.
How Your Accident Report Affects Your Insurance Claim or Legal Case
Your DMV-349 form plays a significant role in determining the outcome of your insurance claim and any potential legal action. The information in the report can be critical in a personal injury case, as it may influence fault determination, liability, and settlement negotiations.
Personal injury attorneys can help you interpret your report and build a strong case.
Impact on Insurance Claims
Insurance adjusters scrutinize accident reports when evaluating claims. They look at contributing circumstances codes to assign fault, injury severity classifications to gauge claim value, vehicle damage estimates, and witness statements to confirm or deny the drivers’ accounts. If the report indicates you were at fault, the insurance company may deny your claim or significantly reduce your compensation.
Legal Implications
Attorneys and judges consider the officer’s assessment of contributing factors, physical evidence documented in the report, the crash diagram and narrative, and any citations issued at the scene. A well-documented report that clearly establishes the other driver’s negligence can expedite settlement negotiations.
Contact Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers for Help with Your Car Accident Case
At Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers, we have reviewed thousands of accident reports over 40 years, knowing what to look for and how to spot harmful discrepancies. Benjamin T. Cochran founded our firm on the principles of personal attention and integrity. Our results show our commitment, including $3 million for a driver with a traumatic brain injury and $1.4 million for a man hit by a drunk driver.
As client M. Khan shared, “After my very first car accident, I was piled with the most stress I have ever felt. I found out about Hardison & Cochran, and now, after 8 months, I feel extremely relieved I chose this law firm to handle the legal mess for me.”
With seven convenient office locations across North Carolina in Dunn, Raleigh, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Greenville, Durham, and Wilmington, we come to you. Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you learn how to read police report codes in North Carolina.
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