A vehicle crash in Lynchburg can leave you chasing answers before you have even caught your breath. Your car may be in the shop, your body may still be sore, and the insurance calls may already be starting. Then comes the next problem: getting your accident report. In Lynchburg, that process is more specific than many people expect.
If you were injured, that report matters for reasons beyond simple record keeping. It can help expedite and support your claim.
Below, Merrick Brock, PLLC, explains the process of getting your report and how our car accident lawyers in Lynchburg, VA, can help you with the process.
Where Do You Get a Lynchburg Police Report After a Crash?
After a Lynchburg crash, you will usually request the report through the Virginia DMV, not directly from the Lynchburg Police Department. The department’s records unit no longer releases vehicle crash reports to citizens or insurance companies.
That said, there is one local step worth taking before you send anything to the DMV. Lynchburg Police specifically recommends checking with its records unit first, either by phone or in person, to make sure the report has been finalized and sent to DMV.
That small step can save you time. Many assume the report is ready once the tow truck leaves, but there’s often a delay between the crash date and when the report is available through the state system. Calling first prevents mailing a report request that hasn’t arrived at DMV.
How Do You Request an Accident Report from the DMV?
Once the report has been finalized, requesting the report from the DMV is the usual next stop. The police report is not available to the general public.
The DMV is only permitted to disclose the report to certain persons (or their authorized representatives) who were involved or injured in the crash. That includes:
- Drivers,
- Passengers,
- Injured persons,
- Owners of vehicles or property involved in the crash,
- Attorneys of anyone involved or injured in the crash,
- Personal representatives of anyone injured or killed in the crash,
- Parents or legal guardians of minors injured or killed in the crash, and
- Insurance companies with legal exposure as a result of the crash.
You can request the report by submitting a written request with a completed Information Request Form (Form CRD-93), along with payment (currently $8.00). The request must include:
- Requester Information (your name, contact information, and Tax ID or SSN),
- The reason for your request,
- Your connection to the crash (i.e., driver, passenger, vehicle owner, etc.), and
- Sufficient information for the DMV to identify the police report, such as the date and time of the crash, the location of the crash, driver’s full name, driver’s license number, and passenger names.
You can submit the request in the following ways:
- By mail to DMV’s Customer Records Work Center in Richmond;
- By fax to the number listed by DMV;
- By email at customerrecords@dmv.virginia.gov; or
- In person at a DMV customer service center.
DMV lists the fee as $8 per crash report, with the fee refunded if no report is found.
Why Does the Crash Report Matter If You Were Hurt?
A crash report offers the first organized snapshot of what happened, helping confirm valuable information about the crash, including the date, time and location of the crash; the names and addresses of the drivers; the name and department of the investigating officer; the recipient of any traffic citations, and the insurance companies for the vehicles involved.
The report also includes a diagram of the crash with a description of the crash that often includes the officer’s impressions on which party was at fault.
While accident reports are generally not admissible as evidence in civil or criminal trials arising from the accident, they provide an early roadmap of the case and the information they contain is often critical in early investigations and settlement negotiations.
The identities of the involved insurance companies matters more than many realize. In serious injury cases, the claim’s practical value depends on available insurance.
If the report guides your lawyer to the right insurer, your lawyer can establish early contact and begin settlement negotiations before having to file suit. Also, the officer’s impressions on fault often carries significant weight with insurance companies during settlement negotiations.
What Does Virginia Law Require After a Crash?
Virginia law requires immediate notice to law enforcement when a crash results in injury or death, and a willful failure to do so is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Since many injuries do not surface until hours or even days after a crash, the best practice is to call the police and immediately report the crash. Officers investigating crashes resulting in injury, death, or property damage over $3,000 are required to send a written report to DMV within 24 hours, including insurance information for each vehicle.
That is why it is critical to report to the officer if you are injured and specifically request that a written report is prepared. Otherwise, the officer may only have the drivers exchange information and handle their dispute privately.
The practical takeaway is simple: report the crash as required by law, clearly specify if you were injured, and then request the completed report from the correct source.
How Can Merrick Brock Help After a Lynchburg Collision?
At Merrick Brock, our background matters. Les Brock and John Merrick spent more than 25 combined years defending insurance companies and large corporations in Lynchburg personal injury cases before turning that experience to help injured people in Virginia.
That experience gives us a practical understanding of how best to prepare your case in a fight against the insurance companies.
If you were hurt in a Lynchburg crash and need help getting your accident report, sorting out the next steps, or figuring out whether you even have a viable claim, Merrick Brock can help you approach the case with a clearer record and a steadier strategy.
Lynchburg Accident Report FAQs
Can a Passenger Get a Copy of the Crash Report?
Yes. DMV says a passenger may receive a complete crash report, and it also allows release to injured persons and certain authorized representatives.
What If the Report Has a Mistake?
A report mistake doesn’t automatically decide the case, as Virginia usually doesn’t permit the report as trial evidence. However, errors can cause issues with insurance, witnesses, or the identification of parties, so it’s wise to flag them early and consult a lawyer.
Legal Resources Used to Inform This Page:
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other authoritative sources during the content development process:
- Lynchburg Police Department. Police Reports & Criminal Record Check Requests
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Request a Police Crash Report From DMV
- Virginia Code § 46.2-371. Driver To Give Immediate Notice of Certain Accidents
- Lynchburg Police Department. Frequently Asked Questions
- Virginia Code § 46.2-373. Report by Law-Enforcement Official Investigating Accident
- Virginia Code § 46.2-378. Extent to Which Reports May Be Used as Evidence
- Virginia Code 46.2-380. Reports made under certain sections open to inspection by certain persons.