One of the first things you will want to get your hands on after a car accident in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is a copy of the official crash report. This document contains critical details about the collision that can serve as a foundation for your insurance claim and/or personal injury lawsuit.
Tennessee law requires that accidents involving injury, death, or property damage of $50 or more be reported to police immediately under T.C.A. § 55-10-106. Once officers respond to the scene and file their report, obtaining your own copy is a straightforward process if you know where to look. Our auto accident law firm in Murfreesboro can assist with your subsequent claim.
Where Can I Request a Crash Report in Murfreesboro?
There are a few different ways to get a copy of your accident report depending on which agency investigated the crash.
If the Murfreesboro Police Department handled the investigation, you can pick up a copy in person at the Records Section located at 1004 N. Highland Avenue; copies cost $0.15 per page. You can also request your report online through the city’s crash report portal. Reports investigated by local police departments are typically available within seven business days of the accident, and the cost for an online copy is $10.
If the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated your crash rather than city police, you will need to request the report directly from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
What Information Do I Need To Request My Report?
When requesting a crash report online, you will need to provide several pieces of identifying information:
- The date the accident took place
- The name of the law enforcement agency that investigated
- The last name of one of the drivers involved
- That driver’s license number
- At least one of the following: the vehicle identification number, the license plate number, or the case tracking number
Having this information ready before you start the request will make the process much faster. If you are unsure which agency responded to your accident, your car or truck accident attorney in Murfreesboro can help you track down the correct report.
Why Does My Crash Report Matter for a Personal Injury Claim?
The police report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in any car accident case. It typically includes the officer’s observations from the scene, statements from the drivers and any witnesses, a diagram of how the collision occurred, and in some cases a preliminary assessment of fault.
Insurance companies review this report closely when evaluating claims, and your personal injury lawyer will use it as a starting point for building your case. If any details in the report are inaccurate or incomplete, your lawyer can challenge those findings using additional evidence gathered during the investigation.
Schedule a Free Consultation After a Murfreesboro Car Accident
Obtaining your crash report is an important early step, but it is only one piece of a larger puzzle. If you were injured in a Murfreesboro car accident and need guidance on what comes next, our legal team at Woodard Injury Law is ready to help you pursue maximum compensation.
Call (615) 640-3648 today to schedule a free consultation. We can answer any questions you might have about your case at that time.