Are Accident Reports Public Record in Georgia? Get Yours

Are Accident Reports Public Record in Georgia?

Yes, in general. The harder question is who can get one and which agency holds it.

If you are asking this, someone you care about may have been hurt or killed. You may be the one making calls, collecting paperwork, and keeping track of it all. That is a lot to carry.

Here are short answers to the questions people ask most. Crash reports generally become available through the agency that investigated the crash. Police reports are generally requested from that same agency. The answer can depend on the facts of the crash and on which agency has the file. The sections below cover what a report contains, which agency to ask, how to make a request, and what to do while you wait.

What a Georgia Crash Report Contains

A Georgia crash report is the investigating officer’s written record of a crash. It usually lists the date, time, and location. It also lists each driver, passenger, and vehicle, plus the insurance and contact details the parties exchanged. Witness information appears when the officer records it.

The report often includes the officer’s narrative, which describes what the officer saw and learned at the scene. Many reports include a diagram and notes on roadway and weather conditions. Injuries reported at the scene are usually recorded too.

An officer’s written conclusions are one part of the record. They are not a court’s decision. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, a judge reduces damages in proportion to the injured person’s share of fault. A person who is 50 percent or more responsible may not receive any damages. That is why a report is a starting point, not the whole story.

Which Agency Holds the Report

The agency that investigated the crash usually holds the report. For a crash the Georgia State Patrol handled, ask the State Patrol. For a crash a city police department or county sheriff’s office handled, ask that agency.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety says State Patrol crash reports can be requested through a local post or the DPS Open Records Unit. Asking the wrong office can slow things down. Finding the right agency first saves time.

How do you tell which agency responded? Check the paperwork you received at the scene. An exchange-of-information slip often names the responding agency. A citation, if one was issued, names it too. The officer’s name, badge or unit number, and any case number can also point you to the right office. The city or county where the crash happened often narrows it down.

How to Request a Copy of a Georgia Crash Report

You request a copy from the agency that holds the report. Methods vary, but requests often go by mail, in person, or through an online system the agency runs. The Georgia Department of Transportation describes how police crash reports can be obtained through BuyCrash or GDOT.

Have these details ready before you call or write: the date and location of the crash, the names of the people involved, and any report or case number you have. Clear details help the agency find the right file.

Fees, payment methods, and who may receive a copy are set by the agency. Follow its instructions. A family member or representative may need extra documents to show their role. The agency decides what it requires, so ask before you send a request. Keep a copy of every request you send.

How Long It Can Take and What to Do While You Wait

Timing depends on the agency and on when its investigation is finished. Plan for some delay. You don’t have to wait for the report to start gathering other records.

Keep a folder with medical visit summaries, hospital and treatment bills, photos from the scene, and the other driver’s insurance information. Write a timeline of what happened while the details are fresh. Note the names and badge or unit numbers of officers and any witnesses.

Time limits matter. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, actions for injuries to the person generally must be brought within two years after the right of action accrues. Reports can take time to arrive, so keep that deadline in mind.

If a crash was fatal, Georgia law sets out who may recover. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2, a surviving spouse or, if there is none, a child or children may recover for the homicide of a spouse or parent the full value of the decedent’s life, as shown by the evidence.

Talking Through Your Situation With Ugwonali Law Group

Many people reading this are gathering records after a serious crash. The crash may have caused a fracture, a hospital stay, a brain or spinal injury, or a death in the family. The crash report is one record among many. Medical records, bills, and insurance letters often matter too.

Your next steps depend on the facts of your crash, your injuries, and who may be responsible. Attorney Adanna Ugwonali leads Ugwonali Law Group. Our intake staff can help in English or Spanish. Our first consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation.

If a loved one died, our wrongful death page explains the family’s side of the process. Our Georgia car accident resources page covers the wider process.

When you are ready, you can request a free case review with our team.

Common Questions

This page is general information, not legal advice. Adanna Ugwonali is the responsible lawyer for Ugwonali Law Group, 3400 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia. Contact the firm through our contact page.