How do I get a police report for a car accident in Atlanta?
Not everyone can get a copy of a police report for a car accident in Atlanta. Georgia law does not require the public disclosure of motor vehicle accident records unless you establish that you have a legal need for the document. The statute defines “need” as a person or legal entity who:
- Has a business, personal, or professional connection to a party involved in the accident;
- Witnessed the accident;
- Suffered injuries in the accident;
- Has an interest in property damaged in the accident;
- Is allegedly liable for the accident;
- Insures a party to the accident or property damaged in the accident;
- Is a public law enforcement officer or a prosecutor;
- Is a government official or entity seeking the report for a legitimate governmental function;
- Is conducting research for the public interest;
- Is researching for a news media organization, within permitted uses of these reports;
- Is a lawyer requesting the report for a criminal case or for a claim of unsafe roads; or
- Is a lawyer representing any of these people or entities.
If you fit within one of these categories, then you will have to complete the proper form and submit it to the correct authorities. The correct authority will be the law enforcement unit that responded to and investigated your accident. This unit could be the Georgia State Highway Patrol, the county sheriff, or municipal police.
Why would I need a copy of the police report?
Accident reports include critical evidence to prove your claim for damages after an accident. Some people will lie to get out of having to pay money for the harm they have caused. They may, for example, claim that a traffic light was green when it was actually red. They may lie about making an illegal turn or about failing to yield right-of-way. They may even lie about who was driving. The accident report will establish the truth to support your side of the story.
Accident reports contain important details relating to the crash, including:
- The location of each vehicle;
- The points of impact and damage to each vehicle;
- All injuries noticed at the scene of the accident;
- All traffic and safety laws broken;
- The estimated speed of each vehicle;
- What caused the accident;
- All citations or tickets given by the responding officer;
- The weather, time of day, and road conditions; and
- Names of eyewitnesses.
When a person later denies a fact about the accident, the police report can often set the record straight. This can make the difference in whether you receive compensation for your claim.
How do I contact the Georgia State Highway Patrol?
If the Georgia State Highway Patrol investigated your accident, you should contact the Open Records Unit or a local State Patrol Post. You will have to complete a form to get your report and there may be a charge. For photographs or other records about the crash, contact:
Georgia Department of Public Safety
Attn: Open Records Unit
P. O. Box 1456
Atlanta, GA 30371
404-624-7591
You may also fax your request and completed form to 404-624-7529.
Your request must include:
- Your full name, mailing address, and telephone number;
- The names of the people involved in the accident;
- The records you are requesting;
- The city or county in Georgia where the accident happened;
- The date of the accident; and
- The accident report number, if known.
What if I do not know where to get the report?
You can get some crash reports through the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Crash Reporting Unit. Online reports are available for a small fee. The Georgia DOT uses BuyCrash.com, a third-party vendor, to process these report requests. BuyCrash.com will require you to type in the last name of the involved party and the date of the accident, as well as either the VIN of one of the vehicles, the report number, or the driver’s license number of an involved party.
What if my accident occurred in Atlanta?
You can get an accident report for an accident that happened in the City of Atlanta through BuyCrash.com or by visiting the Central Records Unit between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., at:
Atlanta Public Safety Annex
3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW
Atlanta, GA 30331
404-546-7461
Where can I get a copy of an accident report in an Atlanta county?
Fulton, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties allow you to get your accident report online through BuyCrash.com. You can get your accident report in person or by other means from these metropolitan Atlanta counties:
Fulton County
5539 Old National Highway
College Park, GA 30349
404-613-3005
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Records and Reports
141 Pryor Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-613-5700
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DeKalb County
DeKalb County Police Dept. Central Records
1960 W. Exchange Place
2nd Floor Room 210
Tucker, GA 30084
770-724-7740
Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Gwinnett County
770 Hi Hope Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
770-513-5190
Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cobb County
You may request your report online.
Clayton County
Clayton County Police Department
7911 N. McDonough St.
Jonesboro, GA 30236
770-477-3913
Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Coweta County
You may contact a records custodian by email or request your report online. You may also visit:
Coweta County Sheriff’s Office
560 Greison Trail
Newnan, GA 30263
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Douglas County
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
8470 Earl D. Lee Blvd.
Douglasville, GA 30134
770-942-2121
Fayette County
You may submit a request online or via mail, fax, or in person to:
Tameca White
Fayette County Board of Commissioners
140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 100
Fayetteville, GA 30214
770-305-5103 Phone
770-305-5224 Fax
Henry County
Henry County Sheriff’s Office
120 Henry Parkway
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-7107
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Is there an easier way to get an accident report?
Law enforcement agencies allow attorneys to obtain accident reports on behalf of their clients. At the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, PC, we can identify the law enforcement agency involved in your accident and request your accident report.
If you suffered injuries from a car accident that was not your fault, we can help. Call our attorneys today at 404-474-0804 to set up your free consultation.