In the blink of an eye, a car accident can turn your world upside down. From the shock of the collision to the aftermath of dealing with injuries and insurance claims, it’s an experience that no one wishes to go through.
Yet, when accidents happen, one crucial piece of documentation can make all the difference in resolving the situation swiftly and fairly – the car accident report.
If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Atlanta, you might find yourself wondering how to obtain this vital report, which contains essential details about the incident.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of accessing an Atlanta car accident report, providing you with the knowledge and steps you need to navigate this often complex and confusing task.
Read on to learn more.
What Does an Atlanta Car Accident Report Contain?
A car accident report contains much information that can help your insurance claim. It includes:
- Basic details about the accident, like the time, date, and location.
- Identifying information, such as name, insurance provider, and policy number, for you and other driver(s) involved in the crash.
- The responding officer’s account of what they saw or information they gathered from the involved drivers.
- A section detailing how the at-fault motorist caused or contributed to the crash.
- Results of a DUI test if it was taken.
- Whether you got a ticket and why.
- A diagram demonstrating how the accident happened.
Why Is a Car Accident Report Important?
A car accident report contains all the details about the crash, so you need it when filing an insurance claim.
The at-fault driver’s insurance information is indispensable since you will claim compensation with that insurance provider.
Besides, the responding officer’s comments about the crash and witness statements can help prove liability.
How to Get Your Atlanta Car Accident Report
You can quickly access your car accident report by speaking to a car accident attorney. But if you want to get it yourself before hiring a lawyer, you can do so in two ways:
1. The local police department
The responding officer usually gives you a card containing the accident report number and instructions on asking for a copy.
These instructions are also available on the Atlanta Police Department website.
- All accident reports written by Atlanta law enforcement officers are kept at the Central Records Unit in Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, Atlanta, Georgia.
- You can access your car accident report here on business days between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- You can inquire about a copy with the Central Records Unit by calling 404-546-7461.
Remember, it takes up to five working days to complete and issue the report. You may also incur some charges to access the report, often not more than $10.
If your accident occurred within the Atlanta metropolitan region but in a different county, reach out to the police department of that specific area.
You will find information on accessing your accident report on their website.
2. Paid accident report sites
You can also get your Atlanta car accident report via paid sites, including BuyCrash.com.
Note: Only those ready to pay for convenience use these websites. If you have the time to get it from government agencies, it costs you way less.
If you want to pay to get a report faster, visit the website and select “Georgia” from the dropdown list of states on the homepage.
That redirects you to another page where you provide:
- Your surname
- Date of the accident
- Either your accident report number, driver’s license number, or VIN
Your report will be ready after providing these details, and you can download it for at least $11. And if the accident report is not accessible, you will receive an email when it is.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Get the Report?
If you decide to work with a car accident attorney, you can ask them to obtain your accident report. They have legal support staff who can complete this task quickly and efficiently, thus saving you time.
Law firms often complete this step on behalf of their clients when compiling evidence against the at-fault motorist in a personal injury claim.
So, work with a knowledgeable Atlanta car accident attorney to reduce your worries about paperwork and make your claim process more manageable.
Can I Get an Accident Report If I Didn’t Call the Police?
No. If no police officer responded to the scene at the time of the accident, they cannot fill out an accident report.
This could make things more complicated with the at-fault party’s insurance provider, who may try to blame you for the crash.
However, you can fill out a personal accident report, which could be helpful. Make a formal record of everything that occurred as you witnessed it immediately after the accident.
Provide your attorney with the completed report before following up with the insurance provider.
Government agencies won’t accept the personal report, but it can still be admissible during settlement negotiations with the insurance provider.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Today!
While a car accident report is an essential piece of evidence, accessing it is only one step in the claims process.
You’ll need a car accident attorney to decipher the information in your report to mount a strong case against the at-fault party.
The primary objective is to get you fair compensation for damages suffered.
At Legal Giant, we know how overwhelming car accidents can be. That is why we do everything possible to connect you with an experienced lawyer to guide you throughout the claims process, including accessing your Atlanta car accident report.
Contact us today at (855) 740-5024 to schedule a free consultation and evaluation of your case.
