A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence you can have after a car crash. Not only does it demonstrate where and when the crash occurred, but it gives a description of the damages, verifies the other driver’s identity, and may include witness statements. But what happens if you’ve called for a police officer after a crash but after waiting for a good long while no one has come?
Your Options
First, remember that Georgia law requires a police report for any crash causing a fatality, injuries, or more than $500 in property damages. If your crash meets one of those criteria and a police officer doesn’t come, you’ll still need to make an effort to get a police report.
If you and the other driver can’t wait any longer, go to the nearest police station and file a report in person. While this may not be as detailed as a first-hand account at the scene, having a police report is extremely important when pursuing damages after a car crash.
While you can make some police reports online, the Atlanta Police Department recommends that you call 911 for all auto-accident-related concerns.
Complications
In some cases, police station staff will refuse to write a police report if there was not an officer present at the scene, even if you called 911 and a police officer was never dispatched. The good news is you can plan for this by collecting as much evidence as possible at the scene of the crash.
Here’s a list of the evidence that will help your car accident claim even if you don’t have a police report:
- The other driver’s information
- Tip: You can verify their information by texting the number they give you at the scene!
- Pictures of both vehicles on all four sides.
- Pictures of where the crash occurred
- Contact information of bystanders who may have witnessed the accident
- Notes about any nearby cameras that may have recorded the crash
- Dashcam footage
If the insurance company questions your claim, giving your attorney this evidence will make it much easier to move forward and demonstrate that your injuries were the direct result of the crash.
To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please call (888) 425-6070 or send us an email.