How to Get Your Winston-Salem PD Accident Report
Step-by-step guide to getting your WSPD crash report: 725 N Cherry St, (336) 773-7700, cost, timeline, and what to do if Highway Patrol filed your report instead.
The Bottom Line
Your Winston-Salem accident report is available from WSPD headquarters at 725 N. Cherry Street for approximately $6, typically 7-10 business days after the crash. This report is a critical document for your insurance claim -- it contains the officer's account of the crash, a diagram of the scene, driver and witness information, and any citations issued. If NC Highway Patrol responded instead of WSPD, your report is in the state system, not at WSPD.
Why You Need Your Accident Report
Your WSPD crash report is more than just paperwork. It is the foundation of your insurance claim and contains:
- The officer's narrative describing how the crash occurred
- A scene diagram showing vehicle positions, direction of travel, and the point of impact
- Driver information for all parties involved, including insurance policy numbers
- Witness contact information -- names and phone numbers of people who saw the crash
- Citations issued -- if the other driver was cited for a traffic violation, that is documented in the report
- Contributing factors the officer identified, such as speed, distraction, impairment, or road conditions
For your insurance claim, the crash report establishes the basic facts that your insurer and the other driver's insurer will use as a starting point. In a contributory negligence state like NC, what the report says about fault can shape the entire direction of your claim.
How to Get Your WSPD Crash Report
In Person
Visit WSPD headquarters at 725 N. Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Bring:
- Your driver's license or photo ID
- The approximate date, time, and location of the crash
- The case number if you have it (from the card or paperwork the responding officer gave you)
By Phone
Call (336) 773-7700 to check whether your report is available and ask about the pickup process.
Cost and Timeline
- Cost: Approximately $6
- Availability: Typically 7-10 business days after the crash
- Complex crashes (multiple vehicles, serious injuries, fatalities) may take longer
What If Highway Patrol Filed Your Report?
Crashes on I-40 and US-52 through Forsyth County are frequently investigated by the NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) rather than WSPD. If a Highway Patrol officer responded to your crash:
- Your report is in the state crash report system, not at WSPD
- You can request it through the NC DMV crash report system
- You can also contact the local NCSHP office in Forsyth County
- Check the card or information sheet the responding trooper gave you -- it will identify the agency and case number
How to Tell Which Agency Filed Your Report
- WSPD officers drive marked vehicles with "Winston-Salem Police" markings
- NCSHP troopers drive silver vehicles with the Highway Patrol shield
- If you received a business card or crash information sheet, it will identify the agency
- If you are unsure, call both WSPD at (336) 773-7700 and the NCSHP Forsyth County office
What If Your Accident Was Outside Winston-Salem City Limits?
Forsyth County includes several municipalities and unincorporated areas with different responding agencies:
- Kernersville: Kernersville Police Department
- Clemmons: Clemmons Police Department (or Forsyth County Sheriff's Office)
- Lewisville: Lewisville Police Department
- Rural Forsyth County: Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
- Interstates and state highways: NC State Highway Patrol
Contact the agency that responded to your crash to request the report. If you cannot determine which agency responded, call the Forsyth County 911 center -- they can tell you which agency was dispatched to your crash location.
What to Look for in Your Report
When you receive your WSPD crash report, review it carefully for:
- Accuracy of the narrative -- does the officer's description match what happened?
- Fault determination -- did the officer assign fault or note contributing factors?
- Citations -- was the other driver cited for a traffic violation?
- Diagram accuracy -- does the scene diagram correctly show vehicle positions and direction of travel?
- Your statements -- review what the officer recorded you as saying at the scene
If the Report Contains Errors
If your crash report contains factual errors -- wrong direction of travel, incorrect vehicle positions, or inaccurate statements attributed to you -- you can request a correction through WSPD. The officer who filed the report may need to review and approve the amendment. Your attorney can also address report inaccuracies as part of the claims process.