How to Get a Car Accident Police Report in Memphis, Tennessee

After a car accident in Memphis, you may leave the scene with an officer’s information, a report or tracking number, and many questions about what happens next. One practical step is obtaining a copy of the crash report once it becomes available.

The report can provide important information about the collision and may become one piece of the evidence used in an insurance claim. But where you request it depends in part on which law enforcement agency investigated your crash.

Here is what Memphis drivers should know.

If Memphis Police Responded to Your Crash

The Memphis Police Department directs people who need a copy of a police or accident report to its Central Records office and provides a dedicated telephone number and website for report requests.

Memphis Police Department Central Records
170 N. Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 545-2650

Because procedures and availability can change, contact Central Records before you go to confirm what information you need and whether your report is ready.

You Can Also Search for a Tennessee Crash Report Online

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security operates an online system for obtaining crash reports. The process allows an eligible person to locate the report, pay the required fee, and print or save it as a PDF. The current online fee is $10.

Tennessee Online Crash Report System

To locate a report online, Tennessee’s system may require identifying information about the driver and collision, including the driver’s last name, driver’s license number, crash date, and reporting agency. You will also need information such as the VIN, license plate number, or case/tracking number.

Keeping the paperwork you received at the scene can therefore make obtaining the report considerably easier.

What If Your Memphis Crash Report Is Not Available Yet?

Don’t assume something went wrong if you search shortly after the collision and cannot find the report.

Tennessee law enforcement agencies have seven days from the crash to submit their reports to the state, and some investigations can take longer to complete. A report may also be hard to locate if the search information doesn’t exactly match what the investigating agency submitted.

If the Memphis Police Department investigated the collision, you can contact MPD Central Records.

Did the Tennessee Highway Patrol Investigate the Crash?

MPD doesn’t handle every collision in the Memphis area. Depending on where and how the crash occurred, the Tennessee Highway Patrol may investigate.

For THP-investigated crashes, reports are generally available approximately seven days after the collision and can be purchased through a THP District Office. The Memphis office serves Shelby County and is located at:

Tennessee Highway Patrol – District 4
6348 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 543-6256
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Central Time

The website currently lists the cost of a report obtained through a THP District Office as $4.

A Police Report Can Be Important, But It Is Not the Entire Case

People sometimes receive a crash report and assume whatever it says will determine whether they can recover compensation. A personal injury claim can involve considerably more evidence.

Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may also examine photographs and video, witness accounts, vehicle damage, medical documentation, available surveillance or traffic footage, and other evidence that helps establish what happened and how the collision affected the injured person.

This is especially important when drivers disagree about fault or when multiple vehicles are involved. The Gold Law Firm’s attorneys have experience investigating Memphis crashes and don’t rely exclusively on the initial police report.

Have the Report? The Next Question Is What It Means for Your Claim

Getting your car accident police report in Memphis, Tennessee, is an important administrative step. Understanding how that report fits with the rest of the evidence is a different matter.

Tennessee’s short timeframe for personal injury lawsuits makes it especially important not to spend months waiting to see how an insurance claim develops. In most Tennessee car accident cases, an injured person has only one year from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit.

If you were injured in a Memphis crash and want to know whether you may have a case, The Gold Law Firm can review what happened, evaluate the available evidence, and explain your options. Call or text (901) 244-5003 or contact the firm online for a free case evaluation.