Stephen Hasner | Car Accidents | May 20, 2020
If you’ve been involved in a crash on I-285, Peachtree Street, or any roadway in the metro area, consulting an Atlanta car accident lawyer early can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and securing compensation. One of the first things your attorney will help you secure is the official police accident report, which plays a vital role in supporting insurance claims and any potential legal action.
In 2023, Georgia recorded approximately 1,674 traffic-related fatalities, a 7 percent decrease from the 1,797 deaths reported the previous year, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. These numbers highlight the continued dangers motorists face throughout Georgia, especially in high-traffic areas like Atlanta.
Obtaining your accident report promptly can give you clarity during a stressful time and help you take meaningful steps toward recovery. If the process becomes complicated, a trusted legal advocate can guide you through the claims process and ensure your rights are protected.
At Hasner Law PC, our team of Atlanta car accident lawyers has more than 80 years of combined experience helping crash victims throughout the metro area. We know how to obtain and analyze police reports and how to use that information to build strong cases that lead to fair outcomes.
If you need assistance getting your accident report or have questions about your legal options, call us today at 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free consultation.
When Police Reports Are Required After a Car Accident in Atlanta
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273 requires police reports for accidents involving injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $500. This relatively low threshold means most Atlanta accidents generate official police reports, creating formal documentation of crash circumstances, driver information, and initial fault determinations.
Atlanta Police Department officers respond to accidents throughout the city, while Georgia State Patrol handles crashes on interstates and highways within city limits. Knowing which agency handled your accident allows you to request the report from the right source and avoid unnecessary delays.
The reporting requirement serves multiple purposes beyond insurance claims, helping traffic safety officials identify dangerous intersections and road conditions while providing statistical data for improving Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure. Your individual report contributes to this broader safety mission while serving your immediate legal and financial needs.
Where to Request Your Atlanta Car Accident Report
Atlanta accident reports are available through multiple channels depending on which law enforcement agency investigated your crash. The Atlanta Police Department maintains its own records system, while the Georgia Department of Public Safety handles state patrol reports through a centralized system.
How to Get a Crash Report from the Atlanta Police Department (APD)
For accidents investigated by Atlanta Police, you may request reports through the department’s online portal, by phone, or in person at police headquarters. The online system provides the fastest access for most reports, typically processing requests within 24-48 hours for standard accidents without complex investigations.
The Atlanta Police Department’s Records Division handles all report requests and maintains copies of accident reports for several years. Providing your incident or case number helps staff locate it quickly and reduces processing time.
Obtaining Georgia State Patrol Reports
Accidents on Atlanta’s interstate highways like I-20, I-75, and I-85 typically involve Georgia State Patrol officers who file reports through the state system. These reports are available through the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s online portal or by contacting their records division directly.
State patrol reports often include additional details about highway accidents, including traffic conditions, weather factors, and vehicle mechanical issues that may have contributed to crashes. These details are especially useful when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action after a highway crash.
What You Need to Request an Atlanta Police Accident Report
To avoid delays, gather essential details before submitting your request. Most agencies require the accident date, time, location, and names of involved drivers. If available, include the incident or case number. If several accidents occurred in the same area that day, including the officer’s name or badge number can help narrow the search.
How Long It Takes to Get an Atlanta Accident Report
Accident reports are typically available within 3 to 10 business days, depending on the agency and crash complexity. Minor property damage reports are usually processed faster, while those involving injuries, commercial vehicles, or disputed fault may take longer. Delays are also common during high-demand periods such as holidays or severe weather events.
Can You Get an Atlanta Accident Report Faster?
Some agencies may offer expedited processing for a fee, though availability varies. While waiting for the full report, many insurance companies will accept a preliminary report or case number to initiate a claim. Using these options can help avoid delays in rental coverage, medical claims, or other time-sensitive needs.
How Much Does an Atlanta Police Accident Report Cost?
Atlanta accident reports typically cost between $5-15 depending on the investigating agency and delivery method. Online requests often cost less than in-person visits, while expedited processing or certified copies may incur additional fees.
Some insurance companies reimburse report fees as part of claim processing, though you must pay initial costs and request reimbursement through your claim adjuster. Save all receipts related to your accident, as they can support your insurance claim or any future legal action.
What’s Included in an Atlanta Car Accident Report
Atlanta police reports provide comprehensive documentation of accident circumstances, including driver information, vehicle details, witness statements, and officer observations about fault and contributing factors. Understanding what information appears in reports helps you identify important details for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Reports list driver names, addresses, license numbers, and insurance details, along with vehicle make, model, year, VIN, and plate numbers. This information helps verify coverage and identify potential issues like insurance lapses or discrepancies.
The report details how the crash happened, based on the officer’s investigation, witness accounts, and evidence at the scene. It includes traffic and weather conditions, road surface details, and a narrative section with the officer’s observations and opinions on fault.
If any citations were issued, the report will list the violations and court dates. Even without citations, the report may note unsafe behaviors relevant to liability. Together, these report sections provide a foundation for determining fault, resolving insurance disputes, and supporting any legal claims related to the accident.
Common Problems When Requesting Atlanta Accident Reports and How to Fix Them
Accident reports may contain errors in names, addresses, insurance details, or crash descriptions. These are often due to miscommunication at the scene or clerical mistakes. If you find an error, contact the investigating agency’s records division for correction procedures. Some issues may require formal amendments, while others can be resolved with supplemental notes.
Report filing may also be delayed, especially during emergencies, shift changes, or when the accident is not prioritized. These delays can impact insurance claims, so it’s important to follow up with the agency and ask about alternative documentation if needed.
Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72), some parts of the report may be temporarily withheld if releasing them would interfere with an ongoing investigation or breach privacy laws. By understanding these common issues, you can respond proactively and avoid unnecessary setbacks in your claims process.
How Reports Impact Your Atlanta Car Accident Case
Atlanta accident reports significantly influence insurance claim processing, liability determinations, and settlement negotiations. Insurance adjusters rely heavily on police reports when making coverage decisions and damage assessments, making accurate reports important for fair claim resolution.
How Insurance Companies Use Police Reports to Determine Fault
Insurance companies use accident reports as primary evidence for determining fault and assigning liability percentages among drivers involved in crashes. Officer opinions about fault carry substantial weight with adjusters, though they don’t make final liability decisions.
When reports assign clear fault to other drivers, your insurance claim process typically proceeds smoothly with minimal dispute about coverage or compensation. Reports that assign partial fault to multiple drivers may complicate claims and require additional evidence to resolve liability questions.
Using Your Police Report as Supporting Evidence for Insurance Claims
Beyond fault determination, accident reports provide supporting evidence for various aspects of insurance claims. This includes verification of vehicle damage locations and severity, confirmation of medical treatment needs for reported injuries, and documentation of traffic conditions that may have contributed to accidents.
This supporting evidence helps adjusters understand claim circumstances and make appropriate coverage decisions, particularly when disputes arise about damage causes or injury relationships to accidents.
When to Hire an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash
While obtaining a police report after a crash in Atlanta is often a straightforward process, certain situations require the support of an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer to protect your rights and help you pursue full compensation. Knowing when to seek legal guidance can prevent costly mistakes and improve your chances of a fair and timely resolution.
Accidents involving multiple vehicles, disputed fault, or conflicting witness statements often lead to complex liability issues. Insurance companies often use these complications to reduce or delay payouts, but a lawyer can analyze the report and supporting evidence to build a strong case.
Serious injury claims also benefit from legal support. These cases require more than just the accident report. Medical records and long-term care projections are essential, and a lawyer can work with doctors to show how the crash caused your injuries and what care you may need in the future.
If your insurer disputes fault, downplays your injuries, or stalls the process, legal representation helps level the playing field. Insurers often offer better settlements when negotiating with an attorney who understands their tactics and is prepared to go to court if needed.
In these situations, working with an Atlanta car accident lawyer can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case and provide peace of mind as you move forward.
Additional Documentation Beyond Police Reports
While police reports provide important foundational documentation, comprehensive accident claims require additional evidence to support all aspects of your case. Knowing what additional documentation you need can help you build a stronger claim.
Why Medical Records Are Essential for Your Atlanta Injury Claim
Medical records are essential for proving that your injuries were caused by the accident. ER notes, imaging results, treatment plans, and therapy records help show the severity and impact of those injuries.
Facilities like Grady, Emory, and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital provide care to crash victims. Requesting complete records from all providers ensures thorough documentation of your recovery.
How Witness Statements Strengthen Your Accident Case
While police reports may include witness information, obtaining detailed written statements provides additional evidence that may not appear in official reports. Witnesses often observe important details about driver behavior, traffic conditions, or vehicle movements that officers don’t include in their reports.
Following up with witnesses while their memories remain fresh helps preserve valuable testimony that may prove important during insurance negotiations or legal proceedings, particularly when fault disputes arise or police reports lack sufficient detail about accident circumstances.
How to Document the Accident Scene for Stronger Claims
Photographs of vehicle damage, accident scenes, traffic conditions, and visible injuries provide visual evidence that supplements written reports and helps insurance adjusters understand accident severity and circumstances. Modern cell phones make capturing this evidence easier than ever before.
Taking comprehensive photographs from multiple angles documents vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, debris fields, and environmental factors that may not receive adequate attention in police reports focused on basic fact-gathering rather than detailed scene analysis.
Protecting Your Rights During the Report Process
Obtaining your accident report represents just one step in protecting your legal and financial interests after Atlanta accidents. Understanding how to use this documentation effectively while avoiding common mistakes helps maximize your chances of fair compensation and resolution.
Key areas to review in your accident report include:
- Personal information accuracy including correct spelling of names and addresses
- Insurance details with accurate company and policy information
- Accident circumstances matching your recollections and scene notes
- Injury documentation reflecting any medical treatment received at the scene
Police reports create official documentation that insurance companies and courts treat as credible evidence, making accuracy particularly important for protecting your interests. While police reports carry significant weight, they represent just one piece of evidence in accident cases, and experienced Atlanta car accident lawyers know how to supplement reports with additional evidence that strengthens liability arguments and damage claims.
FAQ for Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
Can I get a copy of someone else’s accident report if they hit me?
Georgia law allows parties involved in accidents to obtain copies of police reports, including victims who were struck by other drivers. You’ll need to provide your identifying information and details about the accident when requesting the report. However, some personal information about other parties may be redacted for privacy protection.
What happens if no police report was filed for my Atlanta accident?
You may still file a report with the investigating agency within a reasonable time after the accident, though delayed reporting may affect the report’s completeness and accuracy. Insurance companies can process claims without police reports using other evidence like photos, witness statements, and damage estimates, but having an official report strengthens your position significantly.
How long are Atlanta accident reports kept on file?
The Atlanta Police Department and Georgia State Patrol maintain accident reports for several years, typically 7-10 years depending on the agency and accident severity. Serious injury or fatality reports may be retained indefinitely. Contact the investigating agency directly for specific retention policies and access to older reports.
Can I dispute information in my Atlanta police report?
Yes, you may request corrections to factual errors in police reports through the investigating agency’s records division. The process varies by agency but typically requires submitting written documentation of the errors and supporting evidence. Some corrections may require supplemental reports rather than amendments to original documents.
Do I need the other driver’s insurance information if it’s in the police report?
While police reports contain insurance information provided at the scene, this information may be outdated or incorrect. Contact the other driver’s insurance company directly to verify current coverage and begin the claims process, using the police report information as a starting point for your investigation.
Will my Atlanta accident report show who was at fault?
Police reports may include officer opinions about fault and contributing factors, but these are preliminary assessments rather than final legal determinations. Insurance companies and courts make their own liability decisions based on police reports plus additional evidence gathered during claim investigations and legal proceedings.
Request Your Free Consultation With an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today
Obtaining your police report is just the start of your journey toward financial recovery. While this is only one part of the process, it often carries the most weight in determining liability and compensation. Do not let the insurance company misinterpret or misuse it to limit what you are rightfully owed.
At Hasner Law, we have reviewed thousands of Atlanta accident reports. Our attorneys know how to spot key evidence that supports your case and how to address information that might raise concerns. We focus on presenting your claim clearly and effectively to protect your interests at every stage.
Contact the trusted Atlanta car accident lawyers at Hasner Law today at 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free consultation. There are no fees unless we win, and you can move forward knowing your rights are protected.
