You have the right to file a personal injury claim if you were in a car accident caused by another driver. The accident report is a key piece of evidence in insurance claims and legal proceedings. This official document contains important details about the accident and the responding officer’s opinion on who was at fault.
In this article, we explain how to get an accident report from police in Atlanta. For help with your case, contact our Atlanta car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
Why Is a Car Accident Report Important?
The accident report includes crucial information such as the names and contact details of the parties involved, descriptions of the vehicles involved, the time and location of the accident, and statements from witnesses. People’s memories fade over time, and the police report plays a critical part in preserving evidence.
Insurance companies rely heavily on car accident reports to process claims and determine fault. A car accident report is also crucial for legal purposes, as it can be used in court proceedings to establish the facts of the case and determine liability.
How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Atlanta, GA
You can obtain a copy of the accident report from the police department that responded to the wreck. The responding police officer will give you the crash report number. There may be a small fee to get a police report, usually $10 or less.
How to Get an Accident Report Online
You can obtain a copy of the police report online using the BuyCrash website. The Atlanta Police Department works with this third-party website to make car accident reports available online.
Choose Georgia as the state where the accident occurred. You must provide specific details such as the accident report number, vehicle identification number (VIN), the accident date, and your name. You can download a copy of the report if it’s available. If the police report is not available yet, you can provide your contact information and have the report emailed to you.
Cost: A Georgia accident report from Buycrash.com costs $13.
Get the Report From the Atlanta Police Department
For additional help getting an accident report from Atlanta police, call the central records unit at 404-546-7461.
In Person
To obtain a copy of your accident report in person, visit the Atlanta Police Department Central Records Unit Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 3:30 pm at:
Atlanta Public Safety Annex
3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW
Atlanta, Ga. 30331
By Mail
To get an accident report mailed to you, complete the form on the Atlanta Police Department website and specify that you want the report by mail instead of email. There is a small fee of $5 for mail requests. You can pay this by check or money order to the city of Atlanta.
How Long Does Getting a Car Accident Report in Atlanta Take?
It typically takes 3-5 business days after an accident for the police report to become available. Once the report is ready, you can download a copy from Buycrash.com.
Open Records Act requests take time to process. Once you complete the records request form, the Open Records Unit will respond to you within 3 business days and provide you with the estimated time of completion and an estimated cost of the request.
It’s important to note that while the report may take a few days to become available, Georgia law requires that car accidents be reported immediately to law enforcement by dialing 911 after the crash occurs.
Accident Reports From County and City Police Departments
What if your accident happened in the wider Atlanta metro area? You can obtain accident reports from various city and county police departments across Georgia through buycrash.com. This includes accident reports for Decatur, Dunwoody, Smyrna, and other suburbs near Atlanta.
Fulton County
To obtain an accident report from the Fulton County Police Department, you can visit their location at 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
DeKalb County
The DeKalb County Police Department’s Central Records Unit is located at 1960 W. Exchange Place, 2nd Floor Room 210, Tucker, Georgia 30084. The unit is open Monday-Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
How to Get an Accident Report From Georgia State Patrol
If the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) investigated your car crash, the fastest way to obtain a copy of the accident report is through the Georgia Department of Public Safety website.
To get a copy by mail, print and complete the online form and send it to: Georgia Department of Public Safety, Attn: Open Records Unit, P.O. Box 1456, Atlanta, Georgia 30371.
What Is on a Car Accident Report?
As directauto.com explains, a car accident police report typically includes the following information:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Identifying information for all parties involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details
- Vehicle information, such as make, model, year, license plate numbers, and registration status
- Description of road conditions, weather, and lighting at the time of the incident
- Details of the accident, including the type of road or intersection where it occurred and the nature of the damage
- A diagram or drawing of the accident scene
- Names and information of any injured parties, extent of injuries, and whether they were taken to a hospital
- Witness statements and contact information
- Notes on property damage resulting from the incident
- Citations or traffic violations issued, if any
- The responding officer’s name, badge number, and agency
- The officer’s observations and preliminary assessment of fault or cause of the collision
What If the Police Report Is Not Accurate?
If a police car accident report contains inaccurate information, it is crucial to address the issue promptly to ensure your insurance claim or legal case is not negatively affected.
Car accident reports contain both factual information (like date, time, and vehicle details) and the officer’s opinions (such as fault determination). If objective details are wrong or missing, you can contact the reporting officer and politely request a correction.
Don’t argue with the police over who was at fault. You should reach out to an Atlanta car accident lawyer if you feel the police unfairly blamed you for the accident. An attorney can also help you address mistakes in the police report.
Call an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Obtaining a police report after a car accident in Atlanta is a crucial step in protecting your rights and ensuring that you have all the necessary documentation for any legal or insurance claims. However, navigating the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming.
This is where an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can make a significant difference. They can help you interpret the report, gather additional evidence, and build a strong case to support your claim.
You can focus on recovery while our legal team at Atlanta Metro Law handles negotiations with the insurance company and prepares a lawsuit if necessary. Contact us today at 864-894-2045 for a free consultation!
