Your crash report tells a story. Make sure it’s the right one.
Insurance companies read the police report first. Here’s how to get your Georgia crash report, read the codes and boxes, and what to do if it’s wrong. From Talal Perez Ghosheh, Georgia injury lawyer since 2009.
Three steps
Find the agency
City police, county police, sheriff or Georgia State Patrol. It’s usually on the card or slip the officer gave you.
Have your details ready
Report number, date, location and a driver’s name. Reports are often ready in a few days.
Request it
From the agency’s records office or, for many Georgia agencies, through an online report portal.
The boxes that matter most
Every agency’s form looks a little different, but these sections show up on most Georgia crash reports.
Each vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian. Check that your name, plate and insurance are right.
Codes for what the officer thinks caused the crash, like failure to yield or following too closely.
A sketch of the crash. Compare it to your photos: lanes, directions, point of impact.
The officer’s written summary, often based on what drivers and witnesses said.
Names and contacts. Independent witnesses can be the most valuable evidence.
Tickets issued at the scene. A ticket isn’t a conviction, and it doesn’t decide the injury claim.
Talal Perez Ghosheh
Georgia personal injury lawyer since 2009 and founder of GHOSHEH LAW FIRM LLC in Lawrenceville. If you were hurt and the report doesn’t tell the full story, we can help. In English or Spanish.
Report questions
Can you send me my crash report?
No. We’re a private law firm, not a government agency. Reports come from the agency that investigated. If you hire us for your injury claim, we request the report and the evidence behind it for you.
The report says I was at fault. Is my case over?
No. The report is the officer’s opinion based on limited information. Insurance companies and courts can reach a different conclusion with better evidence.
Can I get the report changed?
Factual errors, like a wrong plate, insurance or name, can often be corrected by asking the agency. Changing the officer’s opinion is harder. See our guide to fixing errors.
What if no officer came to the scene?
In Georgia, crashes with injuries or significant damage are supposed to be reported to police. If no report was made, there are still ways to document what happened.
Report doesn’t match what happened?
Free case review with Talal Perez Ghosheh. English or Spanish.