How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Atlanta

One of the most important parts of any insurance claim process is obtaining a copy of the police report. This document outlines the details of the car accident, providing insight into what the police believe occurred while also outlining factors like fault. You can learn how to get a police report for a car accident in Atlanta here, or you can contact our car accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates to help you get the information and guidance you need.

Set up a free consultation with an Atlanta car accident attorney now. With 25 years of experience fighting and winning for our clients, you can count on us for superior results.

Where Do You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Atlanta?

There are several ways to obtain a copy of the police report for your accident. Depending on when you need it, consider these steps.

Get It Online

You can obtain a copy of your police report by going to www.BuyCrash.com. It is an associated, third-party website that the City of Atlanta works with to provide access to police reports online. To access the report this way, you will need to know the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle, your name as it was reported to the police, the date of the accident, and the road or occurrence. 

This is the most direct option. You can download and print a copy of this file.

Visit the Police Department

The second option is to visit the Atlanta Police Department. Head to the Central Records Unit, which is available at this address:

Atlanta Public Safety Annex
3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW
Atlanta, GA 30331

You can visit the location directly between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to make a request for the report. If any Atlanta Police Officer completed the accident report for you – and the actual Atlanta Police Department is who responded – this is the best step to accessing the report in person. It is a central records-keeping office, which means it has all of the records for all departments across the city.

Additional Help

If you need additional help with obtaining a police report, you can contact the Atlanta Police Department. Do this by calling 404-546-7461.

What if the Police Report Is Not Accurate?

There are some situations where the information on the police report may not be accurate. You may believe information is missing or that the data is not accurate in terms of the overall fault placed. We strongly recommend working with an Atlanta car accident attorney at this point. 

Our legal team will work closely with you to help you determine what is wrong with the report and then help you take steps to get that data corrected if that is possible. It may be possible to speak to the responding officer in the case to provide additional or correct information. If this is possible, be polite and provide the information without being accusatory or angry – that is much more likely to get the officer to work with you.

While details of the accident and adding insight to the report is something the police officer may do, they may not be willing to change their conclusion on what occurred and who was at fault. The best way to do that is to gather additional information and evidence, like traffic camera footage, if there are any gaps in obtaining such data.

What Is on a Police Report?

A police report is a valuable document that offers a wide range of details about what occurred in the accident. These details are gathered at the scene of the accident by the responding police officer but may also be provided by the witnesses and others in the incident. The following is some of the information you will find on the police report:

• The names of all people involved in the accident, including your name and contact information and that of the other drivers
• The location of the accident, often with a diagram of what occurred and where it occurred
• The names and contact information of the responding officers
• Road conditions and any factors that could have contributed to the accident
• Witness statements and information
• Description of the accident, including what the officer believes occurred with any details that may not be similar among all people involved

The information contained in the police report is critical because it allows the insurance company of the responsible party to realize they must pay for the losses incurred. Small details can be vital here.

How Can Our Car Accident Attorneys in Atlanta Help You?

After an accident like this, there are a lot of moving pieces, but what is most important is to ensure the accuracy and completeness of these reports. If your report is wrong, lacks specific details, or does not have the conclusion you expected, let our team go to work with you. We can help you in several key ways:

• Determine if there is more evidence that could support your claims
• Discuss your case with you and develop a legal strategy to help you move your case forward
• Help you provide the necessary details to the insurance company

We can help you obtain a police report in Atlanta, help you correct an inaccurate report, and fight for your financial compensation in a court of law if it becomes necessary to do so. Do not delay. The sooner that you get a copy of the report and ensure it is accurate, the better.

Set Up a Free Consultation with Our Car Accident Attorneys Now

Car accidents are life-changing events. Do not try to go through them on your own without legal guidance. Instead, let us help you. 

Now that you know how to get a police report for a car accident in Atlanta, give us a call to learn more about how we can help you file a request for a change or guide you in fighting for the compensation you are owed. Set up a free consultation now to learn how the team at John Foy & Associates can help you.