How To Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Murfreesboro, TN
January 9, 2024
There are several ways to obtain a police report after a car accident in Murfreesboro, TN. You can request a report by mail, either through the Murfreesboro Police Department or the Tennessee Department of Transportation, online, or in person. Whichever option you choose, ensuring that you have a copy of the police report will be necessary for any insurance or personal injury claims you may be entitled to file.
If you’ve been injured in a car wreck, our experienced Murfreesboro car accident lawyers can obtain a copy of your collision report for you. Let us get your claim off to the best start possible.
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How to get Murfreesboro Police Reports Online if your crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol
Requesting a police report online in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, can be done through the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security website. Obtaining a copy online costs $10. When buying a police report online, ensure you have the following information:
- Last name
- Date of accident
- Reporting agency (for example, Tennessee Highway Patrol)
- Driver’s license number
- One of the following: VIN, license plate, case or tracking number
Depending on the specifics of your report, you may be required to include additional information. After clicking on the button to request a police report online, follow four easy steps:
- Verify your involvement in the crash.
- Enter the involved party and crash details to locate the report.
- Submit your payment(Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).
- Print or save your crash report.
How to obtain a police report by mail if your crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol
When requesting a police report via mail, you will need to provide some details regarding the crash. The information necessary for requesting a police report via mail includes:
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s license number
- Date of crash
- License plate number
- Investigating agency
- Incident number
- County
- Roadway name
- Roadway number
Once you have all the necessary information, visit the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security website or download the Traffic Crash Report Request Form here directly. Requesting a police report via mail costs $4, paid by check or money order. Payment must be included when requesting the report.
Fill out all information on the form and address the envelope to:
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Financial Responsibility Division
PO Box 945
Nashville, TN 37202-0945
Only include the form. All other documents will be destroyed.
How to get a police report in person in Murfreesboro
There are several ways to get a copy of a police report in person after a car accident. If the crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) or they were on the scene of the crash, the driver, owner, passenger, legal representative or insurance agent can request a copy of the report for $4. Reports from the THP are usually available about seven days after the crash.
For crashes in Rutherford County, reports are available at the THP District #3 Office, which is in Nashville:
Nashville Highway Patrol Office
1603 Murfreesboro Rd.
Nashville, TN 37217
(615) 741-3181
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. C.S.T.
You will need a few pieces of information to request a report: the crash date, the name of those involved, and an agency tracking number.
If another party investigates the crash, such as the Murfreesboro Police Department, you will need to obtain the report from Murfreesboro Police Records Department instead.
How to get a police report from the Murfreesboro Police Records Department
If you need a copy of a police report from the Murfreesboro Police Department, you can get a copy from the Murfreesboro Police Records Department located at 1004 North Highland Avenue, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. If you choose this option, it will cost $0.15 per page. You can also request a police report through the mail from the Murfreesboro Police Records Department. It will still cost $0.15 per page, but you must send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and a copy of your driver’s license.
Why is a police report important?
In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as in many other jurisdictions, a police report is an essential official document that records crucial details and facts surrounding an incident or car accident. This report plays a pivotal role in insurance claims, legal proceedings, and investigations, providing an official record that can be used by the authorities and individuals involved to understand the sequence of events and establish who was at fault, and who can be held accountable.
In Murfreesboro, a police report is required by insurance companies to file a claim. Additionally, if you have a personal injury claim and choose to hire an attorney, a personal injury lawyer will need this documentation to support your case. Ultimately, the report ensures a transparent and comprehensive record of what happened in your Murfreesboro car accident and is necessary to establish a clear picture of the crash, who caused it, and any other contributing factors that may impact your claim.
Is a police report required after an accident in Tennessee?
If the car accident results in death, injury, or damage exceeding $400, a police report must be submitted to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security according to the provisions of 55-12-104, T.C.A.
All car crash reports must be filed within 20 days to the Department of Safety to avoid consequences. Potential consequences include suspension of your driving privileges or registration privileges.
Does a police report say who is at fault in a car crash?
Police reports in Tennessee don’t state who was at fault for the accident. However, they include information about the crash, including the date, time, location, cars involved, witness statements or citations cited at the scene. They will also document the type of collision, including if it was a rear-end wreck in Murfreesboro, a T-bone or angle collision, or if you or the other driver were sideswiped in the crash. All of this information will work together to tell a story of what happened and the responding officer’s assessment of the incident.
Insurance companies will determine fault and may use information from the police report to make a decision on how to compensate you, whether that be for property damage, medical bills, or how they calculate damages for pain and suffering. But understand, while the police reports can influence legal proceedings, a police report does not determine fault on its own.
Additionally, an experienced attorney for car accidents can help uncover additional evidence beyond the police report to establish fault if you have an injury claim. For example, an attorney can use evidence that you documented from the scene, or even obtain and provide additional evidence to your claim such as video, expert witness testimony, accident recreation and more.
Will the police file a police report for me?
If a police officer is on-site or called during the crash, they will investigate and create a police report. However, if they are not on-site during the crash, you are responsible for submitting a police report within twenty (20) days if:
- The crash resulted in death,
- Or, if there was an injury,
- Or if property damage exceeds $400
How can an Auto Accident Attorney Help?
Car accidents can be a scary time, especially if you or a loved one has suffered injuries. If you are in need of an injury attorney, call Hughes & Coleman today. We can help you through the process and get you what you deserve. We provide free case evaluations, and we never get paid unless we recover money for you.
Call Now
800-800-4600
Get it done.
