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A Guide to Understanding Atlanta Car Accident Reports
Atlanta car accident reports are critical pieces of evidence when injured parties choose to file personal injury claims. Learn more here.
Atlanta Motor Vehicle Accident Reports
When you have been in a car wreck, there are several steps you need to take to ensure you will be able to pursue a personal injury claim; filing Atlanta motor vehicle accident reports is a vital step to the recovery process.
Although treating injuries and exchanging information with others involved in the accident are the first things you should address immediately after a collision, you should also consider future requirements.
After suffering an auto collision, filling out and submitting accurate motor vehicle accident reports is vital.
It’s beneficial when dealing with the insurance companies and improves your chances of receiving a personal injury settlement through the courts. To ensure it’s accurate, this step must be taken promptly. If the police don’t respond to the accident and complete a crash report, you will need to.
Plus, you will want to obtain a copy of the accident report as soon as possible to begin your personal injury claim to request reimbursement for medical bills and property damage.
An accident lawyer can help you with insurance providers and initiate a court settlement to recover damages to your property.
Filing Georgia Accident Reports
As a responsible driver, you should have a basic idea of how to respond if you are involved in a car wreck. Ensuring Georgia accident reports are filed is an integral part of the process. Immediately after the accident occurred, you must report it by calling 911, according to Georgia law.
Many cities and counties have ordinances that require this for any accident. Otherwise, you have to report to the police department if anyone was injured or killed or there was more than $500 worth of property damage. If there is significant property damage or an injury, it is illegal to leave the accident scene. Most insurance companies require an official accident report to file a claim.
What Happens if I Don’t File a Car Accident Report?
When you don’t file an accident report after an accident, you could be opening yourself up to criminal charges and civil penalties. You could also face difficulties when trying to get your car repaired or seeking reimbursement for damages.
If you are in an accident, the best thing you can do is ensure an accident report is filed. You should also seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your case.
At Do Law Office, our team of lawyers has experience dealing with all types of car accidents and knows how to file the necessary paperwork to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
A Car Accident Report Has Necessary Information for Your Claim
A car accident report filled out by the reporting officer contains accident details that are crucial for the insurance company to determine fault and make decisions regarding reimbursement. Plus, you may need additional financial compensation for the following:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation expenses
- Current and future lost income
- Damages for pain and possible disfigurement
- Damages for trauma
Although they aren’t admissible as evidence, police reports document accident details, such as the condition and locations of the vehicles, primary contact information, insurance information, witnesses, and what the officer’s findings were. The easiest way to accomplish this is to have a law enforcement officer responding to the accident do it.
Filling Out an Atlanta Auto Accident Report
If the Atlanta Police Department or Georgia State Highway Patrol didn’t respond to the accident, you might need to file an accident report personally. Whether it is because a hit-and-run driver damaged your parked vehicle or you were involved in a minor accident with less than $500 of property damage, your insurance company might require one.
The reporting process requires you to fill out an online report form on Georgia’s Department of Driver Services website. Include the following:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Description of the crash and any damaged property
- Drivers’ and witnesses’ contact information
- Information about the vehicles like vehicle identification number
- Insurance information
- List of bodily injuries
- Signatures
In some cases, you might need to submit supporting documents to the police report form. This will help you build a case if you file a lawsuit. Contact a law office that handles legal actions in DeKalb County, Fulton County, and Gwinnett County to begin the process.
How Do I Look Up an Accident Report
You may wonder, “How do I look up an accident report?” You can usually obtain police reports within a few days of a car accident from local police like the Atlanta Police Department or sheriff’s department. The reports are also available online at BuyCrash.com (a service that partners with the Georgia Department of Transportation).
Since you will need this document for insurance purposes and personal use for acquiring restitution, you should access it as soon as possible.
Can You Look Up Accident Reports on Your Own?
Some are unsure whether you can look up accident reports on your own. Due to Georgia’s Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, you can request the accident report. You can submit a request to the local State Patrol Post or the Georgia Department of Public Safety at the DPS Open Records Unit. Include your information:
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Name
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Address
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Telephone number
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Persons involved
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City or county where the accident happened
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Type of record you’re requesting
If you know it, you should also include the incident report number.
How Soon After the Accident Is the Report Typically Available?
After a car accident in Atlanta, the report is typically available within a few days to a week, depending on the law enforcement agency handling the incident. Drivers involved can obtain their accident report number from the police officers at the scene.
To access the report, one can visit the local police department, such as the Atlanta Public Safety Annex, or request the police report online under the Georgia Open Records Act. It’s crucial to review the report promptly, as it contains witness statements and details that can determine liability.
If there are discrepancies, car accident lawyers can assist in ensuring involved parties obtain fair compensation.
Atlanta GA Accident Reports
Atlanta GA Accident Reports
To understand Atlanta, GA accident reports more thoroughly, you can look at the “GA crash report overlay” to discover what the various codes mean. These can enable you to interpret your accident report. Codes include:
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Driver condition
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Factors contributing to the accident
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Vehicle condition
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Whether the driver’s vision was obscured
There will also be a summary of the responding officer’s findings regarding the accident, which includes statements by the drivers and witnesses. A knowledgeable Atlanta auto accident lawyer can help you interpret the report and how the information contained may affect your case.
Correcting Atlanta Crash Reports
Occasionally, a law enforcement agency doesn’t complete all Atlanta crash reports accurately. Whether it is due to the chaos of the scene, lack of experience, or being overworked, the responding officer may make mistakes. Although they aren’t admissible in court, they are used by insurance companies when determining liability and, therefore, monetary payouts.
Since accident reports can be complex and made more so if there are errors, skilled lawyers can help you understand them and potentially correct mistakes on your Atlanta accident reports.
Local Accident Reports
If you have been in a car accident, especially if you or someone you love was injured, you should obtain copies of the local accident reports to supply a law office like the Do Law Office.
Retaining the services of a knowledgable attorney can navigate legal issues with insurance providers and help you receive personal injury compensation.
The right lawyer will offer information, advice, and advocacy, as well as represent you in court when you seek reasonable compensation for your personal injury case.
Contact Do Law Office for legal help.
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