Get Car Crash Reports in Georgia

After an auto accident, you may not know how to go about pursuing compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage, or what you need to do to increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement from the insurance company. Obtaining a copy of your collision report is a step in the right direction. A Georgia crash report is a legal document that is filled out by a law enforcement officer who responds to the scene of an auto accident. Obtaining a copy of your traffic accident report can help strengthen your claim, thanks to the important information and accident details it contains.

What Information is in a Traffic Accident Report?

When a police officer fills out an accident report, they will include detailed information concerning how and why they believe an accident occurred, which driver may have been negligent, and basic accident-related information, including:

• The time, date, and location of the accident
• The names and contact details of all drivers and passengers
• A diagram of the crash site
• A description of any injuries sustained in the accident
• A description of vehicle damage and other personal property damage
• Any citations issued
• Anything that may have contributed to the accident, including poor road or weather conditions, traffic jams, faulty traffic lights, etc.
• Witness statements and contact information
• Police officer’s crash investigation summary
• License plate numbers/VINs
• Driver’s license numbers
• Insurance information
• Driver and passenger statements

How Can I Get a Copy of My Accident Report?

How you obtain a copy of your report will depend on which law enforcement agency filed the report. You can learn how the department distributes copies by visiting their website or contacting the department by phone.
In most cases, law enforcement agencies offer several ways to get a copy of your accident report, including:

• In-person
• Online
• By mail
• By fax

How A Collision Report Can Increase Your Chances of Receiving a Higher Settlement

Below are just some ways this important document can help your claim for compensation:

• If you stated you were injured or in pain when the police officer took your accident statement, this can directly tie any injuries you are seeking damages for, to the accident.
• If you are pursuing compensation for vehicle damage or damages for any personal property in the vehicle at the time of the accident, if the police officer documented the damage at the time of the collision, it can prove your request for compensation.
• Any statements made by eyewitnesses will be included in the report. If a third party witnessed the accident, they can shed light on how and why the accident happened and which driver was at fault.
• The police officer’s investigation summary states how and why they believe the accident occurred, any supporting evidence noted, such as skid marks on the road, and which driver they believe may have been negligent.

Keep in mind that the accident report is also available to the other parties involved in the crash, their legal representatives, and their insurance provider.

This means, the other driver’s insurance company will also have a copy of the accident report, which they will closely examine, looking for ways they can deny your insurance claim or reduce the settlement amount.

What to Do After You Obtain a Copy of Your Crash Report

After obtaining a copy of your report, your next step should be to contact a personal injury attorney to schedule a consultation. Hiring an attorney can protect your claim, and your rights, and can prevent an insurance company from pressuring you into accepting an unfair settlement.

What to Bring to a Legal Consultation

After you’ve scheduled a consultation, write down any questions you want to ask the attorney, and bring along any evidence in your possession, such as photos of the accident scene, photos of your injuries, and vehicle damage, vehicle repair estimates, and medical records. Make sure you also bring your accident report with you so it can be reviewed by the attorney. If you were unable to get a copy of your report in time, your lawyer may be able to secure a copy faster.

Contact the Ferguson Law Group to Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation

If you were involved in an auto accident in Georgia, the legal team at the Ferguson Law Group can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. When you schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys, you’ll have the opportunity to ask important questions, provide a copy of your crash report for review, and learn what your legal rights and options are. Obtaining legal representation as soon as possible after an accident can give your case the best chance of success. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free case evaluation and find out how our personal injury attorneys can help.