After a crash, obtaining an accurate and thorough police accident report is one of the most critical stages to making any sort of claim for injuries or vehicle damages. Insurers will require a report to be filed before they will even consider a claim, in nearly all cases.
If a report was not gathered at the scene, one can still be filed through the Georgia Department of Transportation at a later date.
Getting your hands on the crash report is, therefore, extremely important. It’s also just as important to try your best to make sure the report is complete, accurate, and contains all the crucial details needed for your claim.
If you are unable to obtain your report or would like to add or correct information related to the report, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance. They are highly familiar with the processes involved in filing a claim for injury treatment costs and other damages you may have suffered in your accident.
They can also help you understand the best way to document your claim, even in the event that the initial crash report appears to conclude something that’s decidedly not in your favor.
Ali Awad of the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is available to provide you with assistance during what is likely to be a confusing and stressful time. Reach out to us to learn more about your legal rights and what you can do to maximize your chances of recovering all damages during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Schedule your free case review today when you call us at (404) 777-8800 or contact us online.
How to Get Your Car Accident Report
Luckily, getting a hold of your car accident report is fairly easy in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia.
All you have to do is visit the Georgia Department of Transportation website and follow the instructions to request a copy of your report. You can fill out a form to request the crash report from GDOT, or you can use the online services provider they contract with to request your report directly.
GDOT charges $5 for a copy of the report, which can be mailed to you through the return address provided on the submitted form. They can also certify the report, which may be requested by insurers, for an additional $2 fee.
GDOT only accepts money orders and cashier’s checks, so if you wish to pay by card or using another payment form, you may elect to use their online report system vendor instead.
In order to request your report from the vendor, you must provide your last name (or the last name of a driver listed on the report) and the exact date of the incident. You must also be able to provide at least one of the following:
- The accident report number
- Your driver’s license number (or the license number of someone listed on the report)
- The vehicle identification number (VIN) of one of the vehicles involved in the crash
What Is Found on Atlanta Car Accident Reports?
Each Atlanta crash report will list a number of crucial details in the following form fields:
- Date and time of the car crash
- Location of the crash, such as a specific road, mile marker, or intersection
- Names and driver’s license numbers of drivers involved in the crash
- Make, model, and VIN of all vehicles involved in the crash
- Road conditions at the time of the crash, including weather, visibility, and position of the sun
- First harmful event (e.g., “side impact”)
- Contributing factors
- Who is suspected to be at fault (officers can check every party listed when fault is unclear)
- Indication of injury, including severity and whether the victim was transported via ambulance
- Insurance policy numbers for each vehicle
- Information about where vehicles were headed/what they were doing, including direction of travel and any maneuvers at the time
- Information on occupants
- Information on pedestrians and others affected by the crash
- Information of any eyewitnesses who contributed information to the report
- Estimate of damages to vehicles, as well as the area of initial contact
- Any citations issued at the scene, including for moving violations, criminal acts, or other infractions
How Is Fault Determined on the Crash Report?
First, it is extremely important to note that fault is not conclusively determined at the accident scene by a police officer or any other party. While officers can issue citations and make a preliminary determination as to who may have caused the accident, the information they provide is not the final say on causation.
Just like a police officer can’t convict anyone of a crime, they also cannot conclusively determine fault. Instead, fault is most commonly assumed by the liable party in the form of a settlement offer.
In cases where the fault is disputed, or no settlement agreement can be reached, fault will be determined through mediation, arbitration, summary judgment, or a jury verdict.
That said, the officer’s initial determinations at the scene can weigh heavily on the assumptions made about an accident. Any citations issued serve as potential evidence that someone was neglecting their duties to drive safely and in accordance with traffic laws.
Further, police have the opportunity to assign suspicion of fault to one or more parties at the scene based on their preliminary understanding of witness statements and other available evidence.
In other words, while officers do not have the final say, the crash report will have an outsized effect on any subsequent injury claim. If a citation was issued, an injured party’s actions were listed as a possible causal factor, or suspicion of fault was assigned, the individual(s) involved should reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.
There are ways to have a crash report amended or expanded, but in many cases, it requires substantial evidence. You may also elect to work around the information contained in the report, such as by fighting a citation or by using a lawsuit to attempt to place blame on another party.
Injury claimants can exercise due diligence by referring to a knowledgeable and experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer who can review your crash report while helping you form the strongest claim possible for all damages. If you have concerns about your crash report or you want assistance with maximizing your chances of damage recovery, reach out to one of our Atlanta personal injury attorneys for guidance and start-to-finish management of your case.
How Can I Get My Police Report Corrected or Changed?
It is possible (and often beneficial) to have a police report altered when it contains inaccurate or incomplete information. Any changes will be registered as a second report document.
There are two types of follow-up crash reports:
- An amended crash report
- A crash report supplement
An amended report changes the information contained in the initial report. A supplement adds to the existing information. In some cases, those involved in a crash may want a report to be both corrected and expanded upon.
All changes and additions to a report must be made at the sole discretion of the law enforcement officer listed on the report. The officer should also provide you with a full name and badge number at the accident scene.
To request a change, you must reach out to the Atlanta police department precinct office the responding officer was assigned to and request a change. You must meet with the officer, present the relevant information, and clearly indicate what changes or additions you are requesting.
During the meeting with the officer listed on the report, it is important to understand that they are more likely to correct a factual mistake, typo, error, or omission that is backed by objective evidence. They are less likely to make changes related to subjective viewpoints, such as whether or not a specific party caused the wreck.
They will also be unlikely to alter or remove statements made by eyewitnesses.
Working with an attorney can make it easier to be prepared for your meeting with the responding officer and to get the requested changes made. Since officers are more likely to agree to certain things over others, your attorney can help you gather the evidence you need and strategize to maximize your chances of having some or all of the requested changes made.
In the event that an important change cannot be made, your attorney can help you determine alternate methods of accomplishing your goals while seeking compensation for all the damages you have suffered.
Get Help Retrieving or Changing Your Car Accident Report With an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Law Firm
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm makes it our goal to greatly reduce the stress and worry you face after your accident. We will assist you in any way we can, and that includes helping you estimate all damages you have suffered and then documenting them with the strongest evidence possible.
When it comes to car accident reports, we have helped countless clients get the most accurate report possible while using all other available evidence to maximize their case’s chances of success. Reach out to our experienced legal team to gain an ally — and peace of mind — in your efforts to recover in the wake of your serious auto accident.
Find out more about your legal rights and how we can help you seek the money you need to get back to a normal life during a free, no-obligation case review. Call (404) 777-8800 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation today.
