First, right now
At the scene, if you can
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Today
Day 0
The next 72 hours
Day 1 to 3
The next few weeks
Keep going
Write down or photograph at the scene
Print this and fill it in
What it might be worth
Why the bills and records matter
An injury claim starts from what the crash cost you, and that is why the photos, bills and dates above matter. For scale, here are two published numbers about other people's claims. They do not say what yours is worth, and most claims are modest.
About these numbers
- $28,278 Private passenger auto, excluding Massachusetts and most no-fault states; some claims are far larger and many are smaller. It includes insurers' claim-handling costs, so injured people received less than this on average.
- $15,000 Trials are a small share of claims, and these are 2005 figures. Forty percent of those winners were awarded $10,000 or less.
These are averages and totals across many claims. They describe what insurers and courts have done, not what any one claim is worth. Every case is different, and most claims end in a settlement, which is often far less than a headline verdict. CrashFirst is not a law firm and cannot tell you what your claim is worth.
See what a car accident claim is worth for the sources, and the four-state numbers.
Your report
Where to get the crash report
| Where | What the source says |
|---|---|
| State of Tennessee, online | A copy costs $10.00 by credit card [2]. |
| Memphis Police Central Records | Request online, or in person at 170 North Main St. MPD also takes requests by mail or fax but doesn't list the address or number, so call Central Records at 901-636-3650 first [3]. |
| Memphis Police Central Records, fees | Police reports cost $0.15 a page for Tennessee residents, with a valid ID [3]. |
Sources
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, personal injury limitation (Justia) (checked November 8, 2026)“the following actions shall be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrued”“Actions for libel, injuries to the person, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, or breach of marriage promise”
- State of Tennessee, purchase a crash report (checked November 8, 2026)“Cost: $10.00 - credit card”
- Memphis Police Dept., Central Records (checked November 8, 2026)“in-person at the address listed below, by mail or fax”“The cost of police reports for TN residents are $0.15 a page (valid ID required)”
- Triple-I (Insurance Information Institute), Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance (data: ISO, a Verisk business) (checked November 10, 2026)Official source“the average auto liability claim for bodily injury was $28,278”
- Bureau of Justice Statistics, Civil Bench and Jury Trials in State Courts, 2005 (NCJ 223851, Oct. 2008) (checked November 10, 2026)Official source“The median award in motor vehicle accident cases was $15,000”
Page last updated November 10, 2026. Attorney review pending. General information, not legal advice. Fees, hours and rules change; confirm on the official page. How we source.
CrashFirst is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This checklist is general information. Every situation is different.
Keep reading
- Tool
See the usual filing deadline.
Enter your state and crash date to see the usual deadline to file, with the statute and the exceptions. Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma and South Carolina now; other states coming. Informational only.
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Find your crash report.
Pick where the crash happened in Memphis, Birmingham, Tulsa or Columbia to see which agency likely has your report and how to request it. Each row shows its source.
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Your first-hour checklist, ready to print.
A one-page printable first-hour checklist for after a crash: safety, police, photos, doctor, insurer. Free PDF, no sign-up.
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Hurt in a crash in Memphis, with bills you can't cover?
How to get a Memphis crash report (MPD or THP), Tennessee's one-year deadline, and a calm 72-hour list. Plain English, checked against official pages.
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