Nashville Car Accidents: Why You Need A Police Report
A car accident is a devastating experience. Even if you have no apparent injuries, there could be internal damage that leads to significant health complications in the following weeks and months. Motorists in a car accident can file injury claims against the at-fault parties to recover compensation for legal damages.
In Nashville, one crucial step you should take immediately after a car accident is to obtain an official police report. This document serves as a record of the incident and can be invaluable for insurance claims, legal actions against negligent parties, and protecting your rights. Let’s discuss the process of requesting a crash report and why it is essential for your needs.
How to Obtain a Nashville Accident Report
If your car accident occurs in Nashville, specific procedures allow you to get a copy of your crash report. Here are a few ways to do so.
In-Person Requests: Visiting the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD)
If you want a straightforward method to obtain the crash report, visiting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is the most straightforward strategy. The HQ is located at 600 Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville and is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM every weekday.
When you visit, bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. You must also provide specific details about the accident, such as the date, time, and location. There is a small fee for obtaining the report, typically around $10, payable by cash, check, or credit card.
The cost of physical reports is based on the number of pages, with black-and-white copies costing $.15 per page and color copies costing $.50 per page. A labor fee may also apply.
Online Requests: Utilizing the CRASHDOCS System
The CRASHDOCS system allows those involved in the car accident, their attorneys, or their insurance companies to acquire crash reports online for free. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to access your crash report online:
- Visit the CRASHDOCS website.
- Enter the required information, such as your accident report number, the last name of the involved party, and the accident date.
- After entering the required information, you can download the available report electronically.
Mail Requests: Sending a Request to the Tennessee Department of Safety
If you prefer to mail in your request, you can do so to the Tennessee Department of Safety. This will require the report’s tracking number, the accident’s date, the names of the drivers involved, and the county where the crash occurred. You can mail this information in, along with a check for $4, to the following address:
Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security
Financial Responsibility Division
PO BOX 945
Nashville, TN 37202-0945
Third-Party Services: Obtaining Reports from Private Companies
Other agencies can provide a report of your crash. These companies offer the convenience of obtaining your report quickly and without the need to visit a police station or navigate online systems yourself.
Generally, this convenience comes at a cost, as third-party services typically charge a fee for their assistance. It also depends on what entity investigated the accident and with whom that information is shared.
Why You Need a Police Report After a Nashville Car Accident
After your car accident in Nashville, there are likely to be financial repercussions. The vehicle may be damaged, or you may have suffered injuries that force you to miss work or pay costly medical bills. You will need a police report to serve as confirmation for both claims.
Insurance Claims
Whether you are in a minor fender bender or a devastating head-on collision, insurance claims typically play a role in the aftermath of vehicle accidents.
Since the police investigate the scene, the official evidence can support your claim of the accident and the damages incurred. This will help you pursue compensation and protect against denials or disputes by the at-fault party.
Legal Action
If you file a personal injury claim against the other driver because of negligence, the police report plays an essential role in the legal process. It can help you establish liability and negligence, which are key to winning compensation for legal damages. Injured victims can also use these reports to assess and calculate their damages.
The more proof you have after your car accident, the easier it will be to build a strong case and earn compensation for your losses.
Understanding Your Nashville Crash Report
The crash report will play a critical role in your insurance claim and legal action, but only if you know how to use the information it provides. Understanding the report will help you build your case after a car accident.
Key Information Included in the Report
The report will include basic information about the accident scene, including the accident’s date, time, and location. Driver, vehicle, and insurance information will also be included. The most helpful aspects of the report, however, are the narrative description of the collision and the diagram of the accident.
The officers will also include contributing factors and citations in the report. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, this data will significantly strengthen your case.
Using Your Nashville Crash Report
Now that you have this vital information, you can begin the claims process and back it up with evidence. Here are a few ways that accident victims can use these reports.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Your priority after a car accident is to file an insurance claim, including compensation for property damage and injuries. A police report provides concrete proof of the accident and the damages incurred, which is crucial for supporting your case.
Including the police report in your claim strengthens your case for compensation, increasing the chances of receiving the money needed to cover your losses.
Legal Proceedings
If the accident was caused by someone else behaving negligently, then you can bring legal action against them. However, you must be able to prove that their negligence caused the accident and resulted in your injuries.
Establishing liability is much easier if the police report reinforces your personal injury claim, helping to demonstrate the other party’s liability and negligence in court.
Traffic Court
If you receive citations from the police because of your involvement in accidents with other vehicles, you may be able to contest them in traffic court. If you can access the official accident report by visiting the THP district office or requesting the report online, then this can serve as proof detailing your side of events.
The Bottom Line
Accidents on the roadway are, unfortunately, relatively common in Nashville. Victims of these accidents have the right to file insurance claims, personal injury claims, or contest citations in traffic court. To do so effectively, a police report of the car accident is necessary. You will also need the right legal team on your side.
Mitch Grissim & Associates can help you navigate the aftermath of your car accident in Nashville. Whether you need help with your insurance claim or want to file an injury suit against the other driver, our experienced lawyers can help you acquire and use the accident report correctly to strengthen your case.
Our team can handle any type of accident, from a minor fender bender to a rollover accident, and prepare you for legal action. You can contact us by phone at 615-255-9999 or through our online form.
