NC Crash Report Guide: How to Read Your NC Crash Report

If a police officer arrived at the scene of your accident, they will file a crash report known as Form DMV-349. Crash reports contain crucial details about an accident including insurance information, witness accounts, and a report of what happened and which driver was at fault for the collision. Because of all the information they contain, crash reports use numerical codes to describe the accident details. Below is a quick guide to decode the most important information on your NC crash report. 

Understanding Your North Carolina Crash Report

Car accidents can be traumatic experiences that leave both emotional and physical scars. In the aftermath, one of the essential documents you may encounter is the North Carolina crash report. This can be a confusing document to navigate, especially if you are unfamiliar with the terminology or the structure. 

What is a North Carolina Crash Report?

The North Carolina crash report, officially known as the Form DMV-349, is a standardized report that law enforcement officers complete after responding to a motor vehicle accident. This document captures a wealth of information about the incident, including the details of the parties involved, the vehicles affected, damage assessments, injuries, and the events leading up to the crash. It also serves as a vital piece of evidence in subsequent insurance claims, personal injury lawsuits, and other legal matters.

Importance of the Crash Report

The crash report is crucial for multiple reasons:

• Legal Documentation: It serves as official documentation for law enforcement and can be used in court, should the matter escalate to legal proceedings.
• Insurance Claims: Insurance companies rely on these reports to determine fault and process claims.
• Future Prevention: Lawmakers and safety organizations analyze crash reports to identify trends and implement measures aimed at preventing future accidents.

Key Sections of the Crash Report

Understanding the layout and key sections of the crash report can simplify the reading process. Here are the primary components you will encounter:

1. Basic Information

• Date and Time: Indicates when the accident occurred.
• Location: The specific address or intersection where the crash took place.
• Reporting Officer: The name and badge number of the individual who filled out the report.

2. Vehicles Involved

For each vehicle, you may find:

• Vehicle Owner Information: Name and contact details of the vehicle owner.
• Driver Information: Details about the driver at the time of the accident, including any license violations.
• Vehicle Description: Make, model, year, and license plate number.
• Insurance Information: The name of the insurance provider and policy number for each vehicle.

3. Accident Details

This section provides a detailed overview of how the accident occurred, including:

• Crash Type: Was it a head-on collision, rear-end, sideswipe, or another type of crash?
• Weather Conditions: The weather at the time of the accident, which can play a crucial role in determining fault.
• Road Conditions: Included information on road surface and visibility.
• Diagram: A visual representation of the accident, often included to illustrate how the crash occurred.

4. Injuries and Damages

• Injury Details: Any reported injuries to drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, including the severity of those injuries.
• Damage Assessment: A summary of the damage to each vehicle, as well as any property damage.

 5. Witness Statements

If there were any witnesses to the accident, their statements might be included. These can provide additional perspectives on how the accident occurred and help substantiate claims.

 6. Law Enforcement Findings

In some cases, the reporting officer may conclude who they believe is at fault based on their assessment of the crash. This can be crucial when determining liability in insurance claims or legal proceedings.

How to Read Your North Carolina Crash Report

Interpreting your crash report can seem confusing, but breaking it down into manageable sections can help. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Layout

Take a moment to get comfortable with the report's structure. Knowing where to find specific information will save you time later on.

Step 2: Focus on the Basic Information

Check the basic information section to ensure that all details are accurate. Errors in the date, time, or location could complicate your case later.

Step 3: Analyze Vehicle and Driver Information

Pay close attention to the sections detailing the vehicles involved. Confirm that the drivers and their insurance information are correct, as any discrepancies could affect your ability to file a claim.

Step 4: Review Accident Details Thoroughly

Examine the narrative that describes how the crash occurred. This section often includes the officer's observations, which can be instrumental in establishing fault. Cross-reference this information with your own recollection of events.

Step 5: Consider Injuries and Damages

Taking note of the injuries recorded can be vital, especially if you or a loved one sustained harm in the accident. If you disagree with what is reported, document your statements or seek medical advice for any latent injuries.

Step 6: Evaluate Witness Statements

If there are witness statements included, read them carefully. Independent observations can help clarify the events of the accident.

Step 7: Review Officer Findings

If the law enforcement officer has filed an opinion on fault, assess this section carefully. Understand that their opinion may not ultimately dictate liability—it is still up to your insurance company to analyze the findings.

What to Do with Your North Carolina Crash Report

Once you have reviewed and understood your crash report, it’s essential to know the next steps:

File an Insurance Claim

Use the information from your crash report to file a claim with your insurance provider. This will require submitting a copy of the report and any other relevant documentation.

Consult with Legal Counsel

If injuries were involved, or if there are disputes regarding fault or damages, consider seeking legal advice. An attorney specializing in personal injury or traffic law can help guide you through the process.

Keep Records

Make copies of your crash report and any related documents. Keeping organized records will help self-advocate throughout the claims and recovery process.

Stay Informed

Keep up-to-date with any correspondence from your insurance provider, law enforcement, or legal counsel to ensure you respond promptly to any requests for information.

NC Crash Report Codes

On the first page of a crash report, there will be a total of 12 numbered boxes along the right margin that provide a quick overview of who the officer determined to be at fault. For most accidents, boxes 14-19 will be most important. Boxes 14-16 will note up to three things that the first driver did or failed to do which contributed to the car crash. Likewise, boxes 17-19 will note up to three things that the second driver did or failed to do that contributed to the car crash. The codes for these “fault boxes” are as follows:

0 – No contributing circumstances indicated

1 – Disregarded yield sign

2 – Disregarded stop sign

3 – Disregarded other traffic signs

4 – Disregarded traffic signals

5 – Disregarded road markings

6 – Exceeded authorized speed limit

7 – Exceeded safe speed for conditions

8 – Failure to reduce speed

9 – Improper turn

10 – Right turn on red

11 – Crossed centerline/going wrong way

12 – Improper lane change

13 – Use of improper lane

14 – Overcorrected/oversteered

15 – Passed stopped school bus

16 – Passed on hill

17 – Passed on curve

18 – Other improper passing

19 – Failed to yield right of way

20 – Inattention

21 – Improper backing

22 – Improper parking

23 – Driver distracted

24 – Improper or no signal

25 – Followed too closely

26 – Operated vehicle in erratic, reckless, careless, negligent or aggressive manner

27 – Swerved or avoided due to wind, slippery surface, vehicle, object, non-motorist

28 – Visibility obstructed

29 – Operated defective equipment

30 – Alcohol use

31 – Drug use

32 – Other* (Described in Narrative Portion)

33 – Unable to determine

34 – Unknown

Boxes 12-13 will note any roadway circumstances that contributed to the accident, such as bad weather conditions or malfunctioning traffic signals. The codes for the “roadway boxes” are as follows:

0 – None (no unusual conditions)

1 – Road Surface Condition

2 – Debris

3 – Rut, Holes, Bumps

4 – Work Zone (construction, maintenance, utility)

5 – Worn Travel-Polished Surface

6 – Obstruction in Roadway

7 – Traffic Control Device Inoperative, Not Visible or Missing

8 – Shoulders Low, Soft or High

9 – No Shoulders

10 – Non-Highway Work

11 – Other* (Described in Narrative Portion)

12 – Unknown

Last of all, at the bottom of the first page of a crash report, boxes 28 and 32 will note airbag status along with what type of injuries the drivers and passengers sustained. Box 28 will show whether airbags deployed with the following codes:

0 – No air bags in vehicle

1 – Not deployed

2 – Deployed from front

3 – Deployed from side

4 – Deployed from both front and side

5 – Unknown

Box 32 will show what injuries the officer observed on the scene with the following codes:

1 – Fatality

2 – Disabling injury observed. This is used when the officer observes an obvious and serious injury that will prevent a person from performing normal day-to-day activities for at least one day after the crash.

3 – Evident injury observed. This is used when the officer can observe an injury that is not fatal or disabling, including bruises, swelling, and limping.

4 – Possible injury. This is used when the officer does not observe a visible injury but there are complaints of pain or there is momentary unconsciousness from the injured party.

5 – No injury

6 – Unknown

Carefully Review the NC Crash Report for Accuracy

When you receive your crash report, it is good idea to check through the information to make sure that it is accurate. For more information on how to get a copy of your crash report, you can also read our article, “How to Get a Crash Report in North Carolina.”