Skip to main content
NC Accident Help

How to Get Your Durham PD Accident Report

Step-by-step guide to requesting your Durham Police Department crash report: 505 W Chapel Hill St, (919) 560-4427, cost, timeline, and what to do with it.

Published | Updated | 7 min read

The Bottom Line

Your Durham PD accident report is one of the most important documents for your insurance claim. You can get it from Durham Police Department headquarters at 505 W. Chapel Hill Street for approximately $6.25, or by calling (919) 560-4427. Reports take 7-10 business days after the crash. If Highway Patrol responded instead of Durham PD (common for I-85, I-40, and NC-147 crashes), you will need to request the report through the NC DMV system instead.

Who Filed Your Report: Durham PD, Highway Patrol, or Sheriff?

The first thing you need to determine is which agency responded to your crash, because that determines where to get the report.

  • Durham Police Department -- responds to crashes on city streets within Durham city limits. This is the most common responding agency for Durham accidents.
  • NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) -- responds to crashes on interstate highways (I-85, I-40) and controlled-access highways like the Durham Freeway (NC-147). Even though NC-147 runs through the center of Durham, Highway Patrol often handles crashes there.
  • Durham County Sheriff's Office -- responds to crashes in unincorporated Durham County outside the Durham city limits.

If you are not sure which agency responded, check the business card or paperwork the officer gave you at the scene. The badge number and agency name will identify the correct department.

Getting Your Durham PD Crash Report

In Person

Visit Durham PD headquarters at:

505 W. Chapel Hill Street Durham, NC 27701

Bring your photo ID and the approximate date and location of your crash. If you have the crash report number from the scene, bring that as well.

By Phone

Call (919) 560-4427 to inquire about your report's availability and the process for obtaining a copy.

Cost and Timeline

  • Cost: Approximately $6.25 per copy
  • Timeline: Reports are typically available 7-10 business days after the crash
  • Complex crashes (serious injury, fatality, DUI) may take longer due to additional investigation

Getting an NCSHP Report (Interstate Crashes)

If the NC State Highway Patrol responded to your crash on I-85, I-40, or NC-147, you need to request the report through the NC DMV system rather than Durham PD.

  • Online: Use the NC DMV crash report request system
  • In person: Visit any NC DMV office
  • By mail: NC Division of Motor Vehicles, 3120 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697

NCSHP reports may take slightly longer to process than Durham PD reports, particularly for crashes involving complex investigations.

What Your Durham Crash Report Contains

A standard Durham PD crash report includes:

Basic Information

  • Date, time, and exact location of the crash
  • Weather and road conditions at the time
  • Names, addresses, and contact information for all drivers and passengers
  • Insurance information for all vehicles involved
  • Vehicle descriptions (year, make, model, color, VIN, license plate)

Officer's Investigation

  • Narrative description of how the crash occurred based on the officer's investigation
  • Crash diagram showing vehicle positions, direction of travel, and point of impact
  • Contributing factors such as speeding, distraction, impairment, failure to yield, or road conditions
  • Citations issued to any driver at the scene

Supplemental Information

  • Witness names and contact information
  • Notes about construction zones, road defects, or unusual conditions
  • Injury descriptions and transport destinations (Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional, etc.)

Why Your Crash Report Matters

For Your Insurance Claim

The crash report is the foundation of your insurance claim. It establishes:

  • Who was involved and their insurance information
  • What happened according to the investigating officer
  • Contributing factors that help establish fault
  • Citations that are strong evidence of the other driver's negligence

For Contributory Negligence Defense

In NC's contributory negligence system, the crash report is critical evidence. If the report shows the other driver was cited for a traffic violation (running a red light, following too closely, speeding), that citation strengthens your claim. Conversely, if the report notes any contributing behavior on your part, the insurance company will use it to argue contributory negligence.

If the Report Contains Errors

Crash reports sometimes contain errors -- wrong vehicle descriptions, incorrect direction of travel, or inaccurate descriptions of how the crash occurred. If you believe your Durham PD report contains significant errors:

  • You can submit a written correction request to Durham PD with supporting evidence
  • Your attorney can address report inaccuracies through the claims process or in court
  • Witness statements and physical evidence can override report errors

What to Do While Waiting for Your Report

While your Durham PD report is being processed (7-10 business days), you should:

  1. Document your injuries and treatment -- keep records of all medical visits, prescriptions, and how your injuries affect your daily life
  2. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance until you have reviewed the crash report
  3. Preserve your own evidence -- keep your dashcam footage, photos from the scene, and witness contact information organized
  4. Contact your own insurance company to report the accident, but limit your statement to basic facts

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get my Durham PD accident report?
How much does a Durham police accident report cost?
How long does it take to get a Durham accident report?
What if Highway Patrol responded to my Durham crash instead of Durham PD?
What information is in my Durham PD crash report?