Have you been injured in a car accident in Grand Forks, ND? If so, obtaining a copy of your car accident report is an essential step in the claims process. The accident report is a critical document for legal and insurance purposes. Our Grand Forks personal injury lawyers provide a step-by-step guide to obtaining a copy of your car accident report.
Steps for Obtaining a Car Accident Report in Grand Forks, ND
You may obtain a copy of your crash report from the Grand Forks Police Department in person. Crash reports are $7.00 per report and may be picked up at the Police Department’s main window. The police department is at 122 S. 5th Street, Grand Forks, ND.
Crash reports may also be purchased online through the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). The crash report costs $7.00, and you must provide two pieces of information for the NDDOT to locate the report. You must provide the crash date, last name, and/or county where the crash occurred.
The NDDOT may not be able to locate crashes that were not reportable. It may take at least ten days for reports to be available online.
What Is a Reportable Car Accident in Grand Forks, ND?
North Dakota Century Code §39-08-09 defines the conditions under which a driver must report a traffic collision. A crash is reportable to law enforcement when:
- The collision involves injury or death to a person; OR,
- The collision resulted in $4,000 or more in property damage.
Notice is given to the local police department when the crash occurs within a municipality. If not, the crash is reported to the county sheriff’s office or the state patrol. The easiest and quickest way to report a car accident in Grand Forks is to call 911. Based on the crash location, the emergency operator will direct your call to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
The responding officer must investigate the crash, including interviewing the parties involved in the accident and witnesses. The officer completes a crash report and promptly files the report.
What Should I Do After a Grand Forks Car Accident?
It is wise to report all crashes, even if you are unsure of the damage or injuries. A minor car crash often results in several thousand dollars in property damage. Furthermore, you may not realize you are injured until several hours or days following the accident. Therefore, complying with the law and having an official crash report is best.
After calling 911, document the crash site by taking photographs and making a video with your cell phone. It is always a good idea to ask eyewitnesses for their names and contact details. Witnesses may leave before the police interview them.
Never admit fault for causing the car accident or make assumptions regarding fault. Even saying you are sorry that the crash happened could be interpreted as admitting fault.
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Delays in medical care could hurt your accident claim. Call an accident attorney to discuss your legal options for filing a claim to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Learn More About Car Accident Claims
Contact Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. to schedule a consultation with one of our Grand Forks personal injury lawyers. We help accident victims and their families seek the compensation they need and deserve after an accident.
