How Can I Find A Georgia Car Accident Report?
If you or somebody you love has been involved in a vehicle accident anywhere in the state of Georgia, then you understand that the aftermath of the incident can be chaotic. This is particularly true if another driver was at fault and you need to obtain a copy of the accident report in order to secure the compensation you deserve. While it may seem straightforward, the process of receiving an accident report in Georgia is not always easy. Here, we want to discuss how you can obtain a Georgia car accident report as well as why you need the report in the first place.
How to Obtain a Georgia car Accident Report?
A Georgia vehicle accident report is also known as an incident report, and this is typically filled out by police officers or Highway Patrol troopers at the time the accident occurs. Typically, this report will document various aspects of the incident. Some of the information that may be included in an accident report includes the following:
- The names, contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number of all drivers involved.
- A description of what happened at the scene.
- A determination of fault (as determined by the officer).
- Information about any citations issued to drivers involved.
Georgia vehicle accident reports are generally available a few days after the incident occurs, and they can be obtained at the local police or sheriff’s department (or any other law enforcement agency that worked the scene of the accident). If the GA Highway Patrol handled the incident, the accident report can be obtained at their nearest office.
Additionally, the Georgia Department of Transportation contracts with a service called BuyCrash.com, and any person involved in the crash can go to this website to obtain their accident report.
When using the BuyCrash website, a person will first select the state of Georgia. They will then he asked why they need access to the report, and some of the options include “I was injured in the accident” or “I have a personal connection to the accident.” Claimants will choose the option that best fits their situation. Additionally, there will be a charge for this service, so they need to be ready to enter payment information from a debit or credit card.
After entering this information, a person will then be able to search the database by name. If the person requesting the information is the driver, they will enter their name and the date of the collision. Typically, the reports are filed by the names of the drivers involved.
When is a Georgia car Accident Report Required?
Under Georgia law, vehicle accidents must be reported to law enforcement if they occur in any municipality that requires that a report be made, when any person involved has been injured or killed, or when there has been more than $500 in property damage. In general, this means that just about every accident that occurs in Georgia needs to be reported to the police.
Why do you Need a car Accident Report in Georgia?
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a car accident in Atlanta caused by the negligent actions of another driver, you will need the accident report to help ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled from your insurance carrier. Insurance carriers are always going to want to see the accident report when making their determination about liability and the payment of compensation to victims.
Additionally, the accident report will be necessary if you have to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit against the alleged negligent driver. If necessary, you may need to work with a skilled Georgia vehicle accident attorney who can help you through this process. An attorney will also be able to help you obtain a copy of your action report if you need assistance.