How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Marietta, GA

One of the most important steps after an accident is to file a police report. This document outlines the details of all involved and, in most situations, serves as a basis for determining fault in your case. If you have suffered injuries after an accident, you need this document to help you know how to proceed, including how to obtain financial compensation for the losses you have incurred. 

You can learn how to get a police report for a car accident in Marietta, GA, rather easily, but there are a few things you need to know beyond that. At John Foy & Associates, a Marietta car accident lawyer will work with you to handle this process. If you have been hurt in a car accident, we encourage you not to speak to the insurance company until your attorney provides you with more insight into what your losses are. 

Contact us for a free case evaluation now to discuss those needs.

Steps to Getting a Police Report for a Car Accident in Marietta

The Marietta Police Department provides copies of police reports. You can visit the local police department and request a copy of your report. The police department follows all rules associated with providing police reports based on the requirements under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).

You can visit the location at 240 Lemon Street during normal operating hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also download the following records request form to request a copy to be mailed to you. You can also request a copy of those records by sending a letter to:

Marietta Police Department – Records
240 Lemon Street
Marietta, GA 30060-1651

It is also possible to submit the same request through email. Download the form above and then email it to policeopenrecords@mariettaga.gov. You can fax the form to 770-794-5301, however there is a 3-day waiting period in place in most situations.

What Will the Police Report After an Accident Tell You?

When an accident occurs, multiple parties need to submit information to the police about what occurred. It is the police officer’s job to piece together the information and create a comprehensive report of what occurred.

A crash report, as it is often referred to, will include most of the details about the accident, including details about:

• The people involved in the accident
• A description of what occurred based on all information available
• Vehicle descriptions and identifications for all involved
• Where the crash occurred
• Road conditions or any circumstances that could have influenced the accident
• Details of the incident, including factors like speeding, what type of damage occurred, and any indication of negligence
• Conditions at the scene, such as wet or icy roads, bad lighting, tall trees, or obstacles in the line of sight
• A diagram of the incident, including the location of lights, stop signs, crosswalks, or other relevant data

The police report will also include the name and contact information of the responding officers. It will list any noted damage to the vehicles involved as well as any insight into what happened to the people involved, such as if someone was transferred to the hospital.

What Details Are Important on a Police Report?

Once you get a police report from the Marietta Police Department, read the whole thing. You should see information about your incident, including what occurred and how it happened, explained. If there are any concerns with this accuracy, you will want to know that, and you may wish to speak to the officer creating the report to clarify even the small details involved.

It is those small details that are so important in many car accident cases. They will ultimately help insurance companies determine if they have to pay out for the losses incurred. It is always a good idea to have as much information as possible about the incident, and police reports are considered highly valuable bits of evidence. Often, the police report will provide information on fault, such as which driver caused the accident or why one driver did not have the right of way.

Insurance companies will need this information to decide if they should award you any compensation for the accident. They could also use the information contained in the report to prove that they should not award you compensation.

How Your Accident Attorney Can Help with a Police Report

There are many situations where the information on a police report is inaccurate or missing. Other times, just getting the report can be a challenge. Your car accident attorney in Marietta will be able to help you make changes and updates to it as needed.

Most importantly, your attorney will be able to use the information here to help you prove that the insurance company – or the other responsible parties in the incident – should pay for your losses. We can use that information to help with:

• Clarifying fault
• Proving the other driver was negligent
• Showcasing the significance of the accident, such as the careless behavior of the other party
• Provide insight into other parties that may also be responsible
• Aid in defending yourself against claims that you may be at fault, at least in part

The police report is always a very important document to have prior to filing a claim for an accident. Yet, we also want to be sure that your rights are fully understood and that you know that you can often pursue financial compensation even if you are partially to blame for the accident.

Set Up a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Needs with Us Now

Now that you know how to get a police report for a car accident in Marietta, GA, we encourage you to contact our legal team for additional help. Let the team at John Foy & Associates provide you with insight into your legal options and the best strategy available to you to maximize the recovery you have. Set up a free consultation with us now to learn how we can help you.