When going through the accident report for your accident, you should know how to read it. This begins by knowing each field that the report covers.
Fields on a Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Report
Per paperwork provided by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR), accident reports in Georgia cover the following topics (listed from top of the report to bottom):
Top Section
The top section of the Georgia accident report will cover:
- The accident number, which is a specific identifier for recordkeeping and law enforcement purposes (this number is very important)
- The agency number, which tells you the specific law enforcement agency that filed the report
- The county and city in which the accident happened
- The date, day of the week, and time of the accident
- The officer who first arrived at the accident scene
- The number of vehicles, injuries, and deaths
- The specific location where the accident happened
This is a lot of information, but you should be able to identify each detail by reading your report carefully.
Middle Section
Two large, side-by-side boxes occupy the middle section of the accident report. Each of these boxes details:
- Driver’s license details for each motorist involved in the accident (additional paperwork may be necessary for accidents involving more than two drivers)
- Vehicle information for each motorist
- License plate information for each motorist
- Whether any involved motorist was suspected of being drunk or on drugs
- The condition of each driver
All of this information could be useful to your lawyer.
Bottom Section
The bottom section of the accident report’s first page details:
- Where injured parties were transported
- When emergency personnel arrived
- Whether anyone photographed injuries
- Personal information of witnesses
Witness information is particularly notable for insurance claims and lawsuits.
Second Page
The second page of the Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Report contains the police officer’s written remarks about the accident. They may explain, in their own words, how your accident happened.
There is also room for the officer to diagram the accident with a drawing. This may show the positioning of vehicles when they arrived at the scene.
Other information on the second page of the accident report includes:
- Any citations written in connection with the collision
- The condition of the road at the time of the accident
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident
- Names of all vehicle occupants
Now that you know what is on an accident report, you may understand how to read your it.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
How Can You Obtain an Accident Report?
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) refers you to a LexisNexis link. Through this link, you can search for your accident report by providing:
- The state where your accident happened
- The jurisdiction where our accident happened
- Your first and last name
- The date of the accident
- The location of the accident
- The report number
You may not have one or more pieces of necessary information. When you hire a lawyer from our firm, they will be sure to recover your accident report. You may also call the responding law enforcement agency for help with your report.
What is the Value of an Accident Report?
There is no doubt that your lawyer will obtain a copy of your accident report. They will do so because your accident report:
- Is a primary source of evidence that details how your accident happened
- May show who is at fault for your accident
- May explain why your accident occured
- May contain witness contact information
An accident report will not seal the fate of a lawsuit or insurance claim. However, it is a highly relevant piece of evidence and documentation.
Additional Ways That Our Firm Can Help You
A lawyer from our firm will ensure receipt of your accident report. We will also handle all other duties for your case, including:
- Completion of paperwork
- Interviewing witnesses
- Communication with insurance companies and other attorneys
- Collection of evidence and documentation
- Identification of losses
- Calculation of a target settlement
- Settlement negotiations
We also protect your rights. Our team completes the steps that you would otherwise have to do on your own. By taking on your case, we allow you to focus on the other areas of your life. This includes your recovery and well-being.
How Much Money will a Lawyer from Our Team Cost?
The cost of one of our lawyers does not fall directly upon you. Rather than charging an hourly rate or flat fee, we offer our services through a contingency fee.
You only pay a contingency fee if you receive compensation. If our team does not secure a judgment or settlement, you pay us nothing. If we do win, we simply receive a portion of your financial recovery.
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The consultation comes at no cost and with no obligations. A team member from Kaine Law will explain the next steps in your case. They will also answer any questions that you have.
Call Kaine Law today at (404) 214-2001 to complete your free case review. Do not wait to call—your case could be time-sensitive.
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