How To File A Newnan Police Report
After an accident, filing a police report is one of the steps you should take to document what occurred. The process is far simpler than it used to be, with most reporting completed online. However, there are a few critical things you should know about how to file a Newnan police report and what to do after you do so. Talk to a Newnan car accident lawyer when injured in a crash.
When to File a Police Report After a Car Accident
If you are in a car accident, call 911 immediately. Request law enforcement and medical care. This ensures a police officer documents the scene of the accident and gathers all evidence in it.
Note that under Georgia law (§40-6-273), you must immediately call for police help if the accident involves:
- Any injury
- The death of anyone
- Property damage of $500 or more
- The accident involves a hit-and-run driver
- The accident occurred with or without injury on a state highway
- The accident involved a commercial vehicle
The law requires you to notify police in the most efficient and quickest means possible, typically by calling 911. If these factors do not apply, and police do not come to the scene of the accident, you will then need to file a police report after the accident. You should file a police report within 10 days of the crash. However, doing so much sooner offers benefits.
Where to File a Police Report in Newnan, Georgia
If you are in an accident in Newnan and the police do not respond to it, you can visit the local police station to complete a police report. The Newnan Police Department is at 1 Joseph Hannah Blvd.
Alternatively, you can also file a police report online at the Newnan city website. By completing the accident report form, the police will investigate and maintain records important to your ability to file a claim later.
You can also use this same website to get a copy of your police report after the incident. This may help you in filing a claim for the losses you have.
Tips for Filing a Police Report After a Car Accident in Newnan
After a car accident occurs, prioritize your safety and getting medical care. When possible, take photos and communicate with the police at the scene of what occurred. If you need to file a police report because the police did not come to the accident scene, keep the following tips in mind:
- Always offer only the facts of what occurred. Avoid any inclusion of subjective information or trying to determine what happened. You do not want your case limited because of something taken out of context.
- Provide clarity on your injuries, but do not try to estimate the value of your losses. Doing so puts you at risk of limiting your right to compensation.
- If you took photos of the incident, submit those as a component of the police report when possible. This can help to provide you with better insight into who is at fault in your case.
After a car accident, a police report is an important step. Yet, it does not eliminate the need to hire a Newnan injury attorney to guide you in filing a claim and recovering damages owed to you. Seek out the guidance of a lawyer in these cases to ensure you have the best possible access to compensation for your losses.