When you arrive for your free case review with an Atlanta car accident lawyer, you should bring various documents with you to prove your claim: medical reports, photos and videos you took at the accident scene, witness statements and the police report.
The last item on this list is possibly the most important piece of evidence in a car accident claim. Let us explain the reasons:
1. Some Insurers Will Not Open a Claim without the Accident Report
First of all, if you submit an accident claim file without the police report, some auto insurance companies will not even open the claim. The report is on their list of mandatory documents for starting a claim.
It is also the proof that you followed Georgia traffic laws and reported the accident to the police. This is why reporting the crash is the first essential step for protecting your right to get compensation.
2. The Report Contains the Officers’ Unbiased Observations about the Accident
Police officers have both training and experience in examining crash scenes and drawing valid conclusions. For example, they can estimate the speed of a car accurately from the length of the skid marks it left on the road when the driver hit the brakes.
Therefore, the details about the circumstances of the crash are reliable. And, just as importantly, they are prepared by an unbiased party. An adjuster may doubt the findings of an accident reconstruction expert hired by your lawyer. But they will not have any reason to doubt the police officer’s findings.
3. The Report Contains the Eyewitnesses’ Contact Details
Eyewitnesses’ testimonies are very important in a highly contested car accident claim. They are also unbiased observers. Some of them may have recorded the crash as they were making a video with their phone. Others have an eye for detail and will reveal aspects about the collision which the police officers missed, such as that the other driver was using their mobile phone while driving.
Either way, your Atlanta car accident lawyer will want to talk to these witnesses to obtain an official deposition or to ask them if they remember any other details. If you did not manage to get their information, the lawyer can obtain it from the police report.
4. The Report Contains a Diagram of the Damages to Both Cars
The police officers who prepare the accident report will use the template diagram on the form to mark any visible signs of damage on both cars involved in the crash. The position and extent of these dents is important in determining fault.
If necessary, your attorney will hire accident reconstruction experts to analyze the diagrams and the available photos and videos of the accident scene. Using these details, the expert will recreate the possible crash scenario in a 3D animated presentation
5. The Attorney Will Find the Other Driver’s Insurance Details in the Report
Last, but not least, the accident report contains the insurance information for both drivers. Even if the other driver refuses to give these details to you (although this is their legal obligation), they cannot refuse to provide them when a police officer demands it.
Based on this data, your lawyer will quickly find out what insurance coverage the driver had and determine if it is sufficient to cover your damages. If it is not, you may have to resort to your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy (if you have it) or sue the driver for the rest of the damages.
How to Obtain the Police Report in Atlanta, Georgia
The Georgia Department of Transportation provides all crash data to the BuyCrash online portal. You will have to provide your name, the date of the incident and one of the following:
- Accident report number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Your driver’s license number
The accident report is usually ready within a few days after the accident.
Schedule a Free Case Review with an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer!
Car accidents often result in significant economic damages and a lot of pain and suffering. You have the right to obtain compensation for these damages from the negligent driver who hit your car.
Your best chance of success is hiring an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer at GMV Law Group. Reach out to us to schedule a free case evaluation, and don’t forget to bring the police report with you. Call us at 678-824-83333!
