How to Get Your Raleigh PD Accident Report
Complete guide to getting your Raleigh Police Department crash report: 6716 Six Forks Rd, cost, timeline, what if NCSHP responded, and why the report matters for your claim.
The Bottom Line
Your Raleigh PD crash report is one of the most important documents in your accident claim. You can get it at Raleigh PD headquarters at 6716 Six Forks Road for approximately $6.25, typically available 7-10 business days after the crash. The report documents the officer's findings, driver information, witness statements, and the initial fault assessment -- all of which drive your insurance claim. If NC Highway Patrol responded instead of Raleigh PD, you need to request the report through the state system.
Why Your Crash Report Matters
The crash report is not just a piece of paperwork. It is the foundational document for your entire insurance claim. Here is what it contains and why each element matters:
- Officer's narrative -- a description of how the crash happened, based on the officer's investigation at the scene. This narrative often contains the officer's initial assessment of fault.
- Driver and vehicle information -- names, license numbers, insurance information, and vehicle details for all parties involved.
- Witness information -- names and contact details for witnesses the officer interviewed at the scene.
- Contributing factors -- the officer's assessment of what caused the crash (speeding, failure to yield, distraction, etc.).
- Diagram -- a sketch of the crash scene showing vehicle positions, direction of travel, and impact points.
- Citations issued -- if the officer cited either driver for a traffic violation, this is documented in the report.
In NC's contributory negligence system, the crash report's fault assessment is particularly important. Insurance companies rely heavily on the officer's findings when making coverage decisions.
How to Get Your Raleigh PD Crash Report
In Person
Visit Raleigh Police Department headquarters at:
6716 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Bring the date and approximate location of the accident, plus the names of the drivers involved. The report costs approximately $6.25.
By Phone
Call (919) 996-3335 and request a crash report. You will need the same information -- date, location, and driver names. Staff can confirm whether the report is ready and arrange for pickup.
Timeline
Reports are typically available 7-10 business days after the crash. More complex crashes -- those involving serious injuries, fatalities, DUI, or multiple vehicles -- may take longer as the investigating officer completes a more detailed report.
What If Raleigh PD Did Not Respond?
NC State Highway Patrol
If your crash occurred on an interstate highway within Wake County -- I-440, I-40, or I-540 -- the NC State Highway Patrol likely responded instead of Raleigh PD. Highway Patrol crash reports are filed through the state system:
- Online: Request through the NC DMV crash report system
- By mail: NC Division of Motor Vehicles, 3148 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697
- In person: Any NC DMV office
- You can also use our Accident Report Finder tool to identify the correct agency
Other Wake County Agencies
If your crash occurred outside Raleigh city limits but within Wake County, a different agency may have responded:
- Cary PD: Crashes within Cary town limits
- Garner PD: Crashes within Garner town limits
- Knightdale PD: Crashes within Knightdale town limits
- Holly Springs PD: Crashes within Holly Springs
- Wake County Sheriff: Crashes in unincorporated Wake County
Each agency has its own process for report requests. Contact the specific agency to find out their procedure, cost, and timeline.
What to Do If the Report Contains Errors
Crash reports sometimes contain errors -- wrong details about how the crash happened, incorrect information about drivers, or a fault assessment you disagree with. Here is what you can do:
Factual Errors
If the report contains factual mistakes (wrong date, wrong vehicle color, incorrect license plate number), you can request a correction by contacting Raleigh PD's records division. Bring documentation showing the correct information.
Fault Assessment Disagreements
If you disagree with the officer's fault determination, you generally cannot change the officer's opinion in the report. However, the report is only one piece of evidence. Your insurance company and attorney will consider additional evidence -- witness statements, dashcam footage, photos, and crash reconstruction -- when determining fault. The report's fault assessment is influential but not conclusive.
For more on challenging police report findings, see our guide on how to challenge a police report.
How Your Report Fits Into the Insurance Process
Once you have your Raleigh PD crash report, it becomes part of your insurance claim file. Here is the typical sequence:
- File the claim with your insurer and/or the other driver's insurer
- Provide the crash report as documentation of the accident
- The adjuster reviews the report alongside your medical records, photos, and other evidence
- Settlement negotiations begin based on the evidence, including the report's fault assessment
In NC, where contributory negligence can bar your entire claim if you are found even 1% at fault, the crash report's fault findings carry extra weight. If the report assigns any fault to you, expect the other driver's insurer to use this aggressively.