How Obtain A Copy Of A Police Report After A Car Accident In Clarksville, TN
December 18, 2023
There are several ways to obtain a police report after a car accident in Clarksville, Tennessee. A car crash report can be obtained online for $10 per copy, in person at the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) District Office for $4 per copy, or you can request an accident report by mail for $4 via money order or check. Also, if the crash happened within the City of Clarksville, you can acquire a copy of the report in person or submit a request through the Public Records Center.
Table of Contents
How to get an online police report in Clarksville, TN from THP
Obtain a Clarksville collision report in person from THP
Requesting a Clarksville crash report by mail from THP
Get a car accident report from the Clarksville Police Department online
Why it’s important to file a police report after a car accident
Do I need to have a police report after a crash in Clarksville?
What happens if I don’t file a collision report?
Does the crash report say who was at fault?
Let a Clarksville auto accident attorney can obtain your report for you
Obtaining a Crash Report Online in Clarksville
Use this method if your crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP).
To request a Clarksville, Tennessee crash report online, go to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security website. Make sure to have the following information when purchasing a report online:
- Last name
- Date of accident
- Reporting agency
- Driver’s license number
- One of the following: VIN, license plate, case or tracking number
To purchase a TN crash report online costs $10 via credit card, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Fill out the necessary information on the online form, including the crash date, first and last name, email, and your connection to the crash. Then click submit. You may have to enter additional information on the online form depending on your connection to the crash.
Obtaining a Crash Report in Person in Clarksville
If you are trying to obtain a crash report in person in Clarksville, there are a few factors to consider. The most crucial point is whether the crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) or another agency, including the county sheriff’s office or city police department.
If the crash was investigated by the THP, any driver, owner, passenger, agent or legal representative can purchase a copy of the crash report for $4 per copy. The reports are available about one week from the date of the crash. The report can be purchased through mail or in person. When purchasing the report, make sure you have the following information:
- Date of crash
- County where the crash occurred
- Name of those involved, including the driver(s).
- Agency tracking number
If THP didn’t investigate the crash, you can contact the agency that conducted the investigation and purchase a copy of the report from their office.
Obtaining a Crash Report by Mail in Clarksville
To obtain a crash report by mail, you must include a cashier’s check, money order, or personal/business check for $4. Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security website and download the crash report form to send by mail. Fill out the form with the following information:
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s license number
- Date of crash
- License plate number
- Investigating agency
- Incident number
- County
- Roadway name
- Roadway number
After filling out all the necessary information, sign and date the form and print it. Add in a money order or check in the amount of $4, and address the stamped envelope to:
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Financial Responsibility Division
PO Box 945
Nashville, TN 37202-0945
Obtaining a Crash Report from the Clarksville Police Department
Use this method if your crash was investigated by the Clarksville Police Department.
The Clarksville Police Department maintains records from accidents within Clarksville city limits. If you need a copy of a report, you can submit the request in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can visit in person at 135 Commerce Street, Clarksville, TN 37040, or submit a request through the Public Records Center. You may be given additional instructions depending on your specific request.
You must be the driver of the vehicle, owner of the car involved in the crash, agent for the driver or owner of the vehicle or an attorney to obtain a copy of the crash report directly through the Clarksville Police Department. If you are the driver or owner of the vehicle, you must provide a copy of your driver’s license. Clarksville car accident attorneys are required to provide a letter of representation. In contrast, agents are required to provide the insurance policy number of those involved or a letter of agency signed by the vehicle driver or owner.
A police report in Clarksville, TN may take three to five business days to process.
Why It’s Important to File a Police Report After a Car Accident
In Tennessee, the law mandates reporting any accident that involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $400 to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Failure to report accidents meeting these criteria might result in legal consequences. A police report serves as crucial evidence when filing an insurance claim and establishing fault. Insurance companies often require an official report to process claims effectively.
Obtaining a police report after an accident is also important when looking for a Clarksville car accident lawyer to support details from the accident and get the maximum compensation for various expenses, including damage to the car, injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages or any additional damages that occurred due to the car accident.
Is it Mandatory to Have Car Crash Reports in Clarksville?
In Clarksville, Tennessee, you must file a car crash report with the Department of Safety within 20 days of the accident to avoid the proposed suspension of your driving and registration privileges.
According to the provisions of 55-12-104, T.C.A., you must file or have filed on your behalf, a personal accident report with the Department of Safety if you were involved in a car accident as an owner or driver involving death or injury and/or if the property damage was more than $400 to any person involved. A report is required regardless of fault.
If you call law enforcement at the time of the accident or they show up, the police officer can create a report; if they do not, you are responsible for submitting a report within the allotted time frame.
What if I Fail to File a Police Report Following a Crash?
If you fail to report a car crash to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, it may result in the suspension of your driver’s license and registrations, or nonresident operating privileges of any person involved in a crash.
Does the Police Report Say Who is At Fault for the Accident?
In Tennessee, the police report typically does not state who was at fault in an accident. Instead, it includes information about the incident, such as:
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Vehicles involved
- Statements from witnesses
- Citations issued by the responding officer (if any)
Determining fault in an auto accident is a legal matter and is not explicitly outlined in the police report. However, the report might contain the officer’s assessment or opinion about what happened based on the gathered evidence and statements. This assessment can influence insurance companies and legal proceedings but doesn’t legally establish fault on its own.
Insurance companies use the police report and other evidence to determine fault for claims. Additionally, if there’s a dispute about fault, the police report might serve as evidence but isn’t the sole determinant.
A Clarksville auto accident attorney can obtain your report for you
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, a Clarksville car accident lawyer from our firm can secure your accident report for you, and help enhance your compensation for injuries resulting from a negligent driver. Our firm offers free case evaluations, and we operate on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any fees unless we successfully recover your compensation on your behalf.
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