To get a police report for a car accident in Georgia, contact the local law enforcement agency that handled the accident or request a copy online by visiting the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s (GDOPS) website.
If you decide to request a copy of the police report online, you’ll need to fill out the GDOPS’ open record request form. Alternatively, you can go directly to the police station and ask for access to the collision report.
A Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you decide which option is better for you.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Get the Police Report Detailing My Crash?
If you hire a car accident lawyer, you can ask them to obtain a copy of your motor vehicle accident report. Many law firms have legal assistants who can request copies of police reports quickly and efficiently because they have experience with the process of making requests.
In some instances, you might not even have to ask. It’s not uncommon for law firms to routinely complete this step for their clients unprompted. It is often part of the process of assembling evidence against the at-fault driver in personal injury cases.
You might be wondering when to hire an attorney after a car accident, and the answer is as soon as possible. The earlier you speak with a lawyer, the sooner they can start looking into the details of your situation and begin building a case on your behalf.
Can I Order a Copy of the Police Report Online?
Yes—you can order a copy of the police report online. Physically showing up at the police station in person can be a hassle, especially if you have a busy work schedule or you don’t have your own mode of transportation.
No matter your reasoning, some accident victims prefer to obtain a copy of their accident report online. If that’s your preference, you can visit the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDOPS) website and submit an open records request.
You might need to have this information on hand when looking up your crash report:
- The date of the incident
- Where the accident happened
- Your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
What To Do If You Don’t Know Which Law Enforcement Agency Responded To the Car Crash
If you aren’t sure whether you spoke with a police officer or someone from another law enforcement agency, don’t worry—this is a common occurrence, especially when you’re shaken up following the accident. The experience might feel like a total blur, especially if you were hurt.
However, not knowing which law enforcement responded to the car crash does not mean you are out of luck. You can still access a copy of your police report—you’ll just need to track down the agency that responded to the accident scene.
Your options will generally encompass one of the following individuals:
- Local police
- The sheriff in the area
- Nearby highway patrol
You can call each of these three agencies separately and ask them if they responded to the scene of a crash recently. Alternatively, you can explore their websites and look up your report. Just remember—you’ll need the location, date, and VIN when searching on the internet.
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Can I Get an Accident Report If the Police Never Arrived?
No—you cannot get an accident report if the police never arrived. In other words, if a police officer did not respond to the scene of the crash at the time of the incident, they cannot—and will not—fill out an accident report for you.
Unfortunately, the lack of a police report can complicate matters for you, especially when you’re interacting with the other party’s insurance company. They might try to blame you for the crash, and without a report from law enforcement, there’s no way to add credibility to your claims.
However, you can complete an accident report on your own. Though it’s not the same as a police report, it’s still a formal way to document everything that happened from your perspective. Your lawyer can reference your personal accident report when negotiating with insurers.
Reach Out To an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney To Obtain a Copy of the Police Report
Are you interested in obtaining the police report documenting your collision? Personal injury victims like you have the right to access a copy of the accident report. At John Foy & Associates, we’re here to help you understand how to proceed.
We know it’s important to obtain a copy of your police report for many reasons, especially because it contains information regarding the details of your collision. However, if you are having trouble tracking it down, reach out to John Foy & Associates.
Let us handle the accident report request process on your behalf. After a life-altering traffic accident, you should get to focus on healing while we tackle the legal side of things. For more insight into how we can assist you, reach out to learn about our firm.
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