After getting injured in a Stonecrest car accident, the police should investigate it. What you will want to know is how to get a copy of the police report for your legal claim.
Our lawyers can help you find the best option to get your report that works for you. Most people find the fastest way to get a copy is to get it online from the DeKalb County Police Department. However, you can also mail in your request and pick up your report in person. In either case, our team can help you prepare your request and answer questions about how to file your claim. Your report should be available after about a week. After we get a copy, we can review it with you to ensure it is accurate so that we get the most out of it during settlement negotiations.
Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (470) 287-3070 to get your free case review with our Stonecrest, GA car accident lawyers.
Obtaining a Copy of Your Police Report Online After a Car Accident in Stonecrest, GA
You can visit the DeKalb County Police Department’s website to conveniently get a copy of your police report. Stonecrest is a smaller town, so it does not have a local police department but instead has a countywide law enforcement agency. There, click on the BuyCrash.com option to begin the process.
After selecting the state and jurisdiction, which is the police department that handled the accident, you will be asked to provide your name and the date of the incident, as well as either your report number, the car’s VIN, or your driver’s license number. This option to get your report is slightly more expensive than others, but the cost translates into convenience. As of June 2024, each report from BuyCrash.com currently costs $13. Our Stonecrest car accident attorneys can help you with the process if you are having trouble and explain how your report will help your case.
Stonecrest also has several major highways running through it, including Interstate 90, so the Georgia Highway Patrol may have investigated your crash. The GHP usually has jurisdiction on interstates and highways. Fortunately, you can also get your GHP police report from the Georgia Department of Public Safety online.
First, click the orange button to submit your request. When your documents are ready, you will receive an email with a request number. The request number will begin with “CRAS,” “INCI,” or “CITA.” You will then receive an email notifying you when your request is complete. Click the blue “Search by Request #” button and enter the request number from the email. After you enter the request number, click the “Review and Pay” button to pay and download your report. Reports will usually be processed within three business days after making your request.
Can I Mail in My Request for My Car Accident Police Report in Stonecrest, GA?
You can also mail your request for a police report to the DeKalb County Police Department. First, complete a “Motor Vehicle Accident Report Request Form.” Be sure to complete all the required fields and check the boxes that apply. If the form is not filled out correctly, it will unnecessarily delay getting your report.
To get your accident report via mail, enclose the accident request form above for each accident report you request. Also, make sure your mailing address is correct since this is where your report will be sent. Include a certified check or money order for $5 for each accident report requested, payable to the DeKalb County Police Department. When you are ready, mail your requests and payment to the address below:
DeKalb County Police Department
Attention: Police Records Section
1960 West Exchange Place
Second Floor, Room 210
Tucker, GA 30084
You can also mail a request to the Georgia Department of Public Safety if the GHP drafted your report. You can download a request form to mail in here. You will also need to include a check or money order for $5 with the request. Send your report request to the following address:
P.O. Box 1456
Attention: Open Records Unit
Atlanta, GA 30371
If you are having issues getting your report or want to make sure everything is complete before mailing, our team can review your request to ensure its accuracy.
Can I Get My Police Report in Person for My Stonecrest, GA Car Accident?
The cheapest option for getting your police report is to pick it up in person. The DeKalb County Police Department charges $5 for in-person reports, compared to $13 for online ones. To get your report in person, visit the DeKalb County Police Department headquarters at 1960 West Exchange Place and go to the Records section on the second floor. You will need your I.D. to get a copy of your report. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
If the Georgia Highway Patrol responded to your car accident, you can also obtain your report in person from their office. There are several GHP posts in and around Stonecrest and DeKalb County that you can visit to get your report. Search here for the office closest to you. To obtain your report, simply provide your accident details to the clerk during their business hours, which are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you live outside of Stonecrest, though, you can visit a GHP post that is closer to where you actually are. The cost of the report from the GHP in person will also be $5.
How Are Police Reports Helpful to Car Accident Cases in Stonecrest, GA?
Police reports are useful in numerous ways when pursuing compensation for a car accident. They provide a starting point for our lawyers to understand what happened in your accident. Because they contain important facts and observations from the police, they are often the best way to refresh your memory if you are fuzzy on some of the details.
Your police report will also include all the parties involved. It will also include the defendant’s name, address, and insurance information. This allows us to start your claim immediately and know where to serve your lawsuit on the defendant. We can also track down witnesses in the report. Car accident scenes are often chaotic, so it is possible that you did not get a chance to speak to witnesses. With your report, we can contact witnesses and arrange for them to testify in your case.
Police reports are most crucial during insurance negotiations. Most insurance companies require a police report to process a claim. If liability is clear from the report, the insurance company will be much less likely to fight the case in court.
Our Stonecrest, GA Car Accident Lawyers Can Help Get Your Report Today
For a free case consultation with our Stonecrest, GA personal injury attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (470) 287-3070.