Do I Need A Police Report To File An Atlanta Car Accident Claim?
Atlanta car accidents are sudden and jarring, and even a seemingly minor crash can leave you suffering serious harm. Unfortunately, the shock surrounding what happened can lead you to downplay the situation.
Maybe the other driver convinced you not to notify the authorities, or you were worried about increased insurance premiums. Our experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer explains why having a police report matters and how it can impact your rights in a claim.
Why a Police Report Matters in an Atlanta Car Accident Claim
Under Section 40-6-273 of the Georgia Code, drivers must report any crash that causes injuries or more than $500 in property damage to local law enforcement. If you didn’t notify the police when it happened, you can file an accident report directly with the Georgia Department of Transportation afterward.
This report is often the first piece of evidence after an Atlanta crash. Ways it can help protect your rights and strengthen your car accident claim include:
- Creates an official, timestamped record of the crash.
- Records the other driver’s contact and insurance information in a format insurers recognize and rely on.
- Documents the responding officer’s observations, including which driver was at fault and any traffic violations.
- Often includes witness statements gathered on-site.
- Establishes that the crash actually occurred, critical if the other driver later denies involvement.
If you didn’t file a police report, you can still file an Atlanta car accident claim. It just means you’ll need to work harder to gather additional evidence and overcome insurance company objections.
What To Do If You Did Not Get a Police Report After Your Atlanta Crash
After an Atlanta car accident, you may not be thinking clearly. Fortunately, even if you didn’t file a police report at the time, there are still steps you can take to strengthen your position. These include:
- File a report as soon as possible through the Georgia Online Accident Reporting System.
- Get medical care for your injuries and make sure the doctor documents that they are crash-related.
- If safe to do so, return to the accident site and photograph road conditions, skid marks, and any remaining debris.
- Save all text messages, emails, or other communications with the other driver following the crash.
- Get legal help before giving any recorded statements to insurers or accepting a settlement offer.
Getting compensation after an Atlanta car crash without a police report takes effort, but it is possible. To protect your rights and avoid out-of-pocket losses, contact an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer today.
Request a Consultation With Our Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, we protect the rights of crash victims. Even in cases where there’s no police report, our experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can gather other evidence, negotiate with insurers, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We represent clients in Jonesboro, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Savannah, and throughout Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett Counties. Contact us today to request a consultation.
Source:
dps.georgia.gov/document/document/dps-32d-traffic-and-criminal-codes-handout-july-2024/download
