Guide to Obtaining Your Car Accident Police Report in Georgia
If you’ve been in a car accident in Georgia, you need to get your hands on the official police report. These reports contains vital information that impact any car insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit stemming from the crash.
Many are unaware how to get a copy of a police report online or by other means. Continue reading to learn how to file a police report online free after a Georgia car accident. This document is a must-have for legal and insurance purposes. Here’s what you need to know:
Why You Need the Police Report After a Georgia Car Crash
Two key reasons getting a accident report is so important after a Georgia car accident are:
- Insurance claim evidence – The crash report contains objective information about how the crash happened. This can support your version of events when negotiating with insurance adjusters. The officer’s diagram of the accident scene, eyewitness statements, and any citations issued can help prove fault and liability.
- Legal case documentation – If you file a lawsuit, the police report will be a key piece of evidence. It provides factual documentation made at the time of the incident, before memories fade.
- A certified copy of the incident record can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage.
How to Obtain Your Georgia Accident Report
Several options exist for getting a copy of the police report after a GA traffic accident.
Buying Your Car Accident Police Report in Georgia
Are you searching for the answer to the question: Can I get a police report online? The answer is simple and the avenues for obtaining that report are many. Many question, can anyone get a copy of a police report? Here are the steps that anyone can take:
- Find the report number or case number – The law enforcement officer will provide the report number at the scene. If an ambulance takes you to the hospital after the crash, you may not receive the report number. You can perform a police accident report lookup or police report number lookup online with a driver’s license number or VIN number.
- Contact the open records unit – Submit an in-person or online request form through the local police department. You can make a public records request, known as an open records request, to obtain the police report.
- Allow processing time – Depending on the agency, it can take weeks to finalize the report and make it available. For example, obtaining Georgia State Patrol accident reports online take several weeks at a minimum.
- Pick up your GA crash reports – Once ready, you can collect the reports in person at the police station within the city limits. You can also request the police department mail the police report to you.
- Purchase the report online – You can also perform a police accident report lookup or police report number lookup online through LexisNexis BuyCrash.
Requesting Recent Georgia Accident Reports Today from Your Insurance Company
An alternative way to get your hands on the incident report is by asking your insurance adjuster. As part of their investigation process, insurers will obtain a copy. You can request they provide you a copy of the report at no charge.
Requesting the police report from your insurance adjuster avoids having to pay the report purchase fee. However, there will still be some delays as you must wait for the adjuster to get the crash report online.
What’s in the Georgia Accident Report?
A police report contains a wealth of information related to the motor vehicle accident. Here are some key elements it may include:
- Date of the accident
- Details about the vehicles involved
- Contact information of the parties involved – including passengers
- Witness statements
- Crash diagram/scene map
- Road conditions
- Citations issued
- Law Enforcement Officer’s crash narrative
- Fault conclusions (the police officer’s opinion on cause)
This can significantly aid your insurance claim or personal injury case. Obtaining a copy of the police report as soon as possible after the accident is imperative. For more on obtaining a police report after an accident, see this article from Nolo.
Learn How to Obtain a Police Report Online for Free with Georgia Trial Attorneys
Are you thinking about how to get an accident report online? Were you also injured in that car accident? We have a solution for you. Georgia Trial Attorneys will obtain your police report for free as a part of your personal injury case.
CALL TODAY for a free case evaluation and to get your police report expedited. Our team assists with Atlanta police report lookup and obtaining reports for accidents across Georgia. We are your go-to resource for how to find traffic accident reports or Atlanta police reports online. Reach out to our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers if you need assistance getting a police report in Georgia.