If you want to get compensation for your damages from a car accident, you will need to prove the other driver caused it. Often, the best way to start this process is by getting a copy of your police report.
Police reports serve a vital role in identifying parties to a case and negotiating a settlement before trial. It also helps our attorneys find other pieces of evidence and witnesses that can help prove the elements in your claim. Of the many options you have to get your police report, obtaining it online is usually the quickest way. If the report is available, you can download it instantly for use in your case. However, our team can help you prepare your request form if you would prefer to get your report by mail. To get a copy of your police report for as little cost as possible, you can pick it up directly from the Valdosta Police Department headquarters.
For a free case review with our Valdosta car accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (470) 287-3070.
Getting a Copy of Your Police Report for a Valdosta, GA Car Accident
Getting your police report for a car accident in Valdosta is important since you will typically need it for your insurance claims. A police collision report is more than just a government record of the crash. It can give our Valdosta motorcycle accident attorneys a complete overview of your accident and who should be held responsible for it. Fortunately, you have a few low-priced options to get your police report. Our team can help you obtain a copy if you are having trouble finding it or do not have the means to get it on your own. The following will explain the various methods you can use to get your police report for your Valdosta car accident:
Getting Your Report Online
Getting your police report online is typically the fastest way to get it in your possession. Unfortunately, the Valdosta Police Department does not currently have an online option to get police reports made by their agency. However, that will not be the only way to recover a report online.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) also has an online option on its website provided by BuyCrash.com. The GDOT acts as a repository for reports of accidents on Georgia’s public roads, so you should be able to access your police report regardless of the law enforcement agency that investigated your crash. So, if the Valdosta Police Department, the Valdosta State College Police Department, or the Remerton Police Department made your report, you will be able to access it here.
When you click on the BuyCrash option, you will need to select Georgia as the state and select the jurisdiction that made your report. The jurisdiction is simply the law enforcement agency that investigated the accident. You will then be taken to a page where you will need to provide your last name, the date of the incident, and either your report number, vehicle identification number (VIN), or driver’s license number. As of August 2024, reports for BuyCrash cost $13 per copy.
Valdosta is crisscrossed by a few major interstates, like I-75, so the Georgia Highway Patrol (GHP) might have drafted your accident report. Police reports made by the GHP can be accessed on the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s website.
Picking Up Your Report In Person
Depending on where you live, it might be more convenient to pick up your police report in person. If you know that the Valdosta Police Department made your accident report, you can pick it up in person from its Records Division. The Records Division is located at 500 North Toombs Street, Valdosta, Georgia 31601. Reports should be available one or two days after they were taken and can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., according to the VPD’s website. The report will also only cost $1 per copy.
You can also pick up your report from the GHP Troop Station Post 31, located at 371 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd., Valdosta, GA 31601. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, you should be prepared to provide information about your accident to obtain your report.
Getting Your Report by Mail
The last option is to request your police report by mail. However, you can only get your report by mail for a Valdosta car accident from the GDOT. To do so, you will need to complete this form and mail it to the following address:
Georgia Dept. of Transportation
935 United Ave. SE, Bldg. 24
Atlanta, GA, 30316
Be sure to fill in all the fields correctly, as information and spelling errors can impact the GDOT’s ability to find your report, causing unnecessary delays. You will also need to send payment in the form of a cashier’s check or money order. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. The cost of a report is $5 for a standard copy and $7 for a certified report.
Be aware, though, that it can take at least two weeks to complete your report, plus the time it takes to mail it back to you. If you need your report faster than this, our team can explore the other options mentioned so you do not have to wait to start your claim.
What Information Will Be in My Police Report that Can Help My Car Accident Claim in Valdosta, GA?
Police reports are often a treasure trove of information that can be used to litigate a car accident claim. First, it provides a comprehensive overview of the accident. It tells us specifically where the accident occurred, which will give our team an idea of how the accident came about. It will also specify the time of day and the weather when the accident happened. If visibility was low or the road conditions were complex, the report should note that.
Most importantly, it will tell us the people involved in the accident. Your police report will have a section that should include the other driver’s information, including their name, address, and insurance information. This is usually enough to identify the likely defendant and where we can serve them the notice of your lawsuit.
The report will also include witness information if the police interviewed anyone on the scene. At the very least, the report should list the witnesses’ names and contact details. Their testimony can often tip the scales in your favor when pursuing compensation. While the statements they made in the report cannot usually be used as evidence at trial, we can use the report to contact them and get their statements later for use in your case.
Our Valdosta, GA Car Accident Attorneys Can Help Get Your Police Report Today
Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (470) 287-3070 to get your free case assessment with our Valdosta personal injury lawyers.