How to Get Your Nashville Crash Report After a Car Accident

Knowing how to get your Nashville crash report (officially called a Tennessee Crash Report) can help you feel more in control after a wreck. In most cases, this report will be a big part of your insurance claim or legal dispute because it gives a more objective account of the accident.

Here, we’ll tell you how and where to get your report, how long it will take, and what to do if your accident report is delayed or wrong..

If you need help seeking compensation after a crash, contact the Nashville car accident attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers today. Call 615-813-1111 to schedule your FREE case review with a Real Advocate who will fight for the justice you deserve.

What’s a Nashville Crash Report & What Is It Used For?

A Tennessee Crash Report is an official document completed by the investigating officer. It details the “who, what, where, and when” of an accident. The purpose is to establish the facts surrounding a crash, including:

• Identifying information for all drivers and passengers.
• Diagrams illustrating the point of impact and vehicle positioning.
• The officer’s summary of the event and any citations issued for traffic violations.
• Environmental factors, including weather, road conditions, and lighting at the time of the crash.

Insurance adjusters will look closely at this report to determine fault and the extent of damages.

When Will Your Tennessee Crash Report Be Available?

A Tennessee crash report is typically available for purchase approximately 7–10 days after the date of the crash. Exactly how long it takes depends on:

• Who investigated the accident
• How complex the crash was
• How serious the injuries and other damages were

Processing times can also be delayed due to the workload at the Central Records Division.

Step 1: Figure Out Which Agency Investigated the Crash

The first step in getting your Nashville accident report is to determine who investigated the accident. Was it the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) or the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)?

• If the accident occurred on a city street or within Nashville neighborhoods, it was likely handled by MNPD.
• If it happened on a major interstate like I-40 or I-65, then THP likely took the lead.

You can refer to the information slip provided by the officer at the scene. It will list the investigating agency and the case or tracking number. 

Step 2: How To Request Your Tennessee Crash Report

Once your report is available, there are several ways you can obtain it:

• Online: You can purchase the report through the official state portal at PurchaseTNCrash.gov. This is the quickest way to get a report and costs $10.00 via credit card. You’ll need to verify your involvement or interest in the crash to download the report.
• In-Person: If the investigation was handled by THP, you can go to the Tennessee Highway Patrol District 3 Office at 1603 Murfreesboro Rd, Nashville, to get a physical report. The fee is currently $4.00 for an in-person request.
• Mail: You can also send a written request to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS), Financial Responsibility Division, at PO BOX 945, Nashville, TN 37202. You’ll need to include a check or money order for the $4.00 fee. It generally takes 2–3 weeks to receive the report.
• Email: For MNPD records, you can email [email protected] to request a report.

For most drivers, the fastest way to get a Nashville crash report is online once the agency uploads it.

Make sure that you have all the information you need to request the report before you hop online or show up in-person. This includes:

• Crash date
• Location
• Driver names
• Report or tracking number
• Investigating agency

Step 3: What To Do if It’s Not Available Yet

Sometimes, slight errors in data input (incorrect date, misspelled last name, etc.) can make a report “unsearchable” in the database. And as we’ve said, sometimes there can be processing delays due to heavy workloads.

If the 10-day window has passed and your report still isn’t available, TDOSHS recommends contacting them at 1-866-468-4587 during normal business hours or emailing [email protected]. You can also call the MNPD Central Records Division at 615-862-7631 or visit them in person at 811 Anderson Lane, Suite 100, in Madison.

If the delay is causing problems with your insurance claim, you can contact your car accident attorney for help. They can guide you through your options and let you know what’s causing the delay.

Step 4: Check Your Report for Mistakes!

Once you have a copy of the report, the next step is to review the report to check for any errors, including:

• Incorrect date
• Misspelled names
• Wrong insurance information
• Inaccurate vehicle descriptions

Because this report is so heavily relied on in insurance claims, you should identify and report any inaccuracies as soon as possible. Also, check that nothing was left out, like witness statements, important details from the scene, or any injury you told the officer about.

If you identify any errors or omissions, contact the reporting officer to request a correction or “supplemental report.” It’s unlikely they’ll change their opinion on fault, but they’ll usually fix objective or factual mistakes.

Step 5: What To Collect in Addition to the Report

While the police report is important for building an accident claim, it’s not the only record or piece of evidence you should gather. You should also collect:

• Accident Scene Photos: Take and keep your own photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, and traffic signs.
• Medical Records: The official report may mention the presence or possibility of injuries, but you’ll need detailed hospital records to prove the actual impact of the crash if you’re seeking compensation for your damages.
• Witness Contacts: If there were people who saw the accident take place, get their names and contact information so your attorney can reach them later.
• Repair Estimates: It also helps to get independent repair estimates to compare with what the insurance company says your damage is worth.

In complex cases, additional evidence (dash cam footage, cell phone records, accident reconstruction simulations, etc.) may be needed. This is another instance when the advice of an experienced Nashville car accident attorney will be valuable. 

How Long Does It Take To Get a Copy of Your Tennessee Crash Report?

How long it takes to get a report depends on how you requested it.

• Digital copies requested through PurchaseTNCrash.gov are usually available for download immediately upon payment, provided the agency has uploaded them.
• Mailed copies usually take 2–3 weeks to process.
• In-person visits to THP or MNPD offices can mean same-day service, provided the investigating office has submitted the final paperwork.

How Long After an Accident Can You Still File a Claim?

Tennessee has a very strict statute of limitations for personal injury car accident claims. Generally, you have just 1 year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. For claims involving property damage only, you’re given up to 3 years to take legal action. 

It’s so important to begin the claims process as soon as possible, especially when it involves a serious injury. A year may sound like plenty of time, but the process can take a while and involves several steps, including:

• Investigating the accident and collecting evidence
• Calculating the total value of your damages
• Negotiating with insurance companies to get a fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit to take your claim to court, if necessary

There are many administrative hurdles along the way and no shortage of potential slowdowns, to say nothing of how easily evidence can disappear. The sooner you can get started, the better.

Bernheim Kelley’s Nashville Car Accident Attorneys Seek Real Justice!

A Tennessee crash report is more than just a piece of paper; it’s the first step in rebuilding your life after a traumatic car accident. Our Nashville car accident attorneys understand that and more.

At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we have Real Experience representing injured clients in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. We Keep It Real: we offer transparent, compassionate support and have a tireless dedication to Real Justice. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, contact our team today for your FREE consultation.