Have you been involved in a car accident in Georgia? If the Georgia State Patrol responded to the scene of your collision, you may be wondering how to obtain a copy of the official crash report prepared by the responding officer.
There are a few different ways to obtain a crash report from the Georgia State Patrol. You can submit an open records request online, by mail, or in person.
Purchase It OnlineÂ
Georgia State Patrol accident reports are available on Buycrash.com. The website charges a fee, but this is the fastest way to get your report.
You will need to provide the following information:
- Last name of any person involved, and
- Date of incident.
You will also need one of the following:
- Report number,
- Vehicle VIN, or
- Driver’s license number.
You will be able to instantly download your report after paying for it.
Submitting an Open Records Request Online
The easiest way to obtain a crash report is to submit an open records request online. The Georgia State Patrol has a website where you can submit your request and pay the required fee. The fee for a crash report is $5.
To submit an open records request online, you will need to provide the following information:
- The date of the accident
- The location of the accident
- The names of the people involved in the accident
- The case number (if you know it)
Once you have submitted your request, you will receive a confirmation email. The crash report will be emailed to you within 5 business days.
Submitting an Open Records Request by Mail
You can also submit an open records request by mail. Send your request to the following address:
Georgia State Patrol
Open Records Unit
P.O. Box 1889
Atlanta, GA 30301
Be sure to include the same information in your request as you would if you were submitting it online. You can also pay the $5 fee by mail.
Submitting an Open Records Request in Person
You can also submit an open records request in person at the Georgia State Patrol headquarters in Atlanta. The address is:
Georgia State Patrol Headquarters
2540 Forsyth Road
Atlanta, GA 30339
The Open Records Unit is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will My Crash Report Be Ready?
Georgia State Patrol must prepare the crash report after the accident. This usually takes three to five business days. State Patrol may need more time to complete reports for multi-vehicle crashes and those resulting in serious injury.
Who Can Request a Georgia State Patrol Accident Report?
Anyone can obtain Georgia highway patrol accident reports because they are public records. The government doesn’t require you to prove you are connected, but that doesn’t mean reports are free to browse. You will need to know several details about the accident and the parties to find the report.
How Do I Decipher the Report?
What are all those codes?! Review the Georgia Motor Vehicle Crash Report Overlay here. The overlay provides information about the various codes and data fields that are found on the crash report.
Why Does My Attorney Want to See the Crash Report?
Crash reports are the best way for your lawyer to recreate the accident. Your attorney needs the crash report to assess liability, gather evidence, and develop a legal strategy. It has all the essential information needed to file a claim.
How Long Does It Take to Receive My Report?
How you request your report will determine how long it takes to receive it. If you use Buycrash.com, it should be ready instantly. If you request a report in person or by email, it may be ready that same day or within a few days. If you request a report via mail, it may take several weeks to receive it. Keep in mind that these are estimates, and other circumstances can affect these timelines.
Speak with a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
Once you have the accident report, speak with the attorneys at MG Law. We focus on all types of traffic accidents and know the best ways to pursue compensation for our clients. Our relentless advocacy has helped our clients recover millions of dollars in damages due to car and truck accidents. Call (770) 988-5252 today to schedule a consultation with MG Law.
Amer Ahmad is a trial lawyer at MG Law. He represents seriously injured clients who are going through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Amer’s practice includes representing families in wrongful death cases and individuals seriously injured by motor vehicle accidents, negligently maintained premises, and defective products. As a former insurance attorney who knows the insurance companies’ playbook, he helps MG Law clients even the playing field and avoid insurance tricks. Due to his experience and results, Amer has been named a Georgia Rising Star by Super Lawyers and Atlanta Magazine from 2019 until 2024. Only 2.5% of all lawyers in Georgia are selected as Rising Stars.