Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed and specific to Atlanta, Georgia law — so you don't miss what matters.
After an Atlanta accident, the crash report is the first document every insurance company and attorney requests. Knowing how to get it quickly — and what to do if it contains errors — can make a meaningful difference in your claim timeline.
Georgia crash reports are available from two sources depending on which agency responded:
Georgia State Patrol:
- Online: gsp.georgia.gov → 'Crash Report Request'
- Also at: crash.gsccca.org (Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority)
- Fee: ~$5 per report; typically available 5–10 business days after the accident
Atlanta Police Department:
- Online: atlantapolice.com → Records Division
- Phone: (404) 614-6544 (Atlanta Police Records)
- Fee: varies; available 7–14 business days after the incident
You will need: date, location, and names of involved parties or the case/report number (get this from the responding officer at the scene).
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273, both involved parties and their insurers are entitled to the crash report.
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What type of accident were you in?
What You're Experiencing
You were in an accident and need the official crash or police report. You may not know where to request it, what it contains, or how long it will take. Your insurer or attorney may be asking for it and you're not sure how to proceed.
What This Likely Means
- If Unsure which agency investigated → if on a state highway or interstate, likely GSP; in Atlanta city limits on local roads, likely Atlanta PD; sometimes both
- If Don't have the report number → call the responding agency with accident date and location; they can look it up
- If Report not yet available → wait 5–14 business days; your attorney can request it expeditiously
- If Report shows errors → submit a written correction request with supporting documentation
Your Options
You Can Do This
- •Get the case number from the responding officer before leaving the scene — write it in your phone
- •Request the report online at gsp.georgia.gov or crash.gsccca.org within the first week
- •Review the report carefully when it arrives — check all parties' information, the diagram, and the factors listed
Attorney Handles
- •Request the crash report immediately on your behalf and flag any errors
- •Supplement the report with independent evidence when the officer's narrative is incomplete or inaccurate
- •Use the report's witness list to locate and interview additional eyewitnesses
Avoid Doing This
- •Don't rely solely on the crash report to establish fault — it is one piece of evidence, not the final word
- •Don't delay your injury claim or medical care waiting for the report
- •Don't assume an error in the report is permanent — you can request corrections in writing
What This Typically Costs
Georgia crash report fee: ~$5 online. In-person or mail requests may have slightly different fees. Your attorney can obtain the report at no additional cost to you as part of their case work. If the report contains errors that harm your claim, the cost of correction is the attorney's time — zero out of pocket on contingency.
When to Call a Professional
Contact an attorney immediately if any of these apply:
- 1
Report shows you at fault but you were not — request a correction in writing and consult an attorney immediately
- 2
Report lists wrong insurance information for the other driver — notify the reporting agency in writing
- 3
Insurer is requesting the crash report before you've reviewed it — request and review your own copy first
- 4
No police report was filed (minor accident, no officer response) — you can self-report to Georgia State Patrol within 10 days of the accident
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Get Free Case Review →Key Numbers
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia State Patrol crash report fee | ~$5 | Georgia State Patrol (gsp.georgia.gov) |
| Report availability after crash (GSP) | 5–10 business days | Georgia State Patrol processing time |
| Report availability after crash (Atlanta Police) | 7–14 business days | Atlanta Police Department Records Division |
| Atlanta Police Records Division phone | (404) 614-6544 | Atlanta Police Department |
| Online request — GSCCCA crash portal | crash.gsccca.org | Georgia Superior Court Clerks (crash.gsccca.org) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1
Mistake #1: Not getting the report number from the responding officer.
The responding officer will have a case or report number. Get it before they leave the scene — it dramatically speeds up your report request, especially with Atlanta PD where processing can take 2 weeks.
- 2
Mistake #2: Not reviewing the report for errors before submitting it to your insurer.
Crash reports can contain errors: wrong speed estimates, incorrect fault designation, or missing witness information. You have the right to submit a written correction request to the reporting agency. Review the report carefully before relying on it.
- 3
Mistake #3: Waiting for the report before starting your injury claim.
Insurance companies and attorneys can request the report on your behalf. Don't delay medical care or claim notification waiting for the report — start those processes immediately.
- 4
Mistake #4: Assuming the crash report determines fault legally.
The officer's fault notation in the crash report is an opinion, not a legal finding. Georgia courts and insurance companies evaluate fault independently. If the report incorrectly assigns fault to you, an attorney can challenge this with physical evidence, witness statements, and accident reconstruction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a Georgia crash report online?▼
For Georgia State Patrol-investigated crashes, go to gsp.georgia.gov and follow the 'Crash Report Request' link, or use crash.gsccca.org (Georgia Superior Court Clerks' portal). For Atlanta Police-investigated crashes, visit atlantapolice.com's Records Division page or call (404) 614-6544. You'll need the accident date, location, and names of parties or the case number.
What information is in a Georgia crash report?▼
The Georgia crash report (Form SR-13 for GSP) includes: date, time, and location of the crash; names, addresses, license numbers, and insurance information for all drivers; vehicle descriptions and damage; officer's narrative and diagram; factor codes indicating probable causes (speeding, failure to yield, etc.); and witness information if recorded. It does not determine legal liability — that is for courts and insurers.
What if the crash report contains errors?▼
Request a correction from the reporting officer's agency in writing. For significant errors — wrong parties listed, major fault misattribution, missing witnesses — submit a supplemental statement of your own account with supporting documentation. Your attorney can also challenge the report's findings with independent evidence.
Does the crash report determine who is at fault in Georgia?▼
No. The crash report records the responding officer's observations and opinions, but it is not a legal determination of fault. Insurance companies and courts evaluate fault independently under Georgia's modified comparative fault standard (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). A 'contributing factors' code on the report does not automatically translate to legal liability.
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Step 1 — Select accident type
What type of accident were you in?