Police Report FAQs
Police report FAQs—learn how accident reports affect liability, common errors, and how to correct them to protect your injury claim in Georgia.
Police Report FAQs
How do I get a police report after an accident in Atlanta?
If Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers responded to your accident, you can obtain the official police report through these channels:
- Online: Visit the Atlanta Police Department’s online records portal at atlantapd.org to request crash reports electronically. A fee typically applies.
- In person: Visit the APD Records Unit at 226 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
- LexisNexis / Blue Team portal: Georgia uses a centralized crash reporting system. Many reports are also accessible through the Georgia Department of Transportation’s DRIVE system.
- Your attorney: Once retained, a personal injury law firm can obtain the report on your behalf and review it for errors — incorrect fault designations, missing witnesses, or inaccurate descriptions — that can be formally disputed.
If your accident occurred in another Atlanta metro jurisdiction (DeKalb County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, etc.), the relevant county Sheriff’s Office or local police department handles the report.
Will a corrected police report guarantee I win my case?
Not automatically, but it significantly strengthens your position. A corrected report — or a well-documented dispute of an incorrect one — removes a key tool from the defense and forces the insurer to evaluate the claim on its actual merits. Combined with medical evidence and expert testimony, it can be decisive.
Can I dispute the police report directly with the insurance company?
Yes. Even without a formal amendment to the report, you can submit a written statement to the insurance company disputing specific findings and providing supporting evidence. However, this is best done through an attorney who understands the evidentiary standards and how insurers evaluate claims.
What if the police never came to the scene?
In Georgia, law enforcement may decline to respond to low-speed crashes with no apparent injuries. If no report was filed, your attorney can help you create your own contemporaneous documentation, gather witness statements, and build a claim without a formal police report.
How long does it take for a Georgia police report to be available?
Most Georgia accident reports are available within 3 to 10 business days of the crash. In major urban crashes or those involving fatalities, reports may take longer. Your attorney can request the report as soon as it is filed and will monitor its availability.