Following an accident, many individuals ask themselves, “Are car accidents public record?”  because they require details for submitting an insurance claim or lawsuit or for their personal records. This will depend on who is asking for the report and why.

Georgia’s strategy is to strike a balance between transparency and privacy. There are only certain people and entities that have a legitimate and legal interest in having access to a crash report, as is specified by the law. Let’s handle them.

Drivers Involved in the Accident 

Usually, the driver(s) who appear on the accident report will have the strongest legal claim to a copy of the accident report. Regardless of the cause of the crash, they might need the report to make an insurance claim, fight bogus information, or take legal action.

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(5) allows police to share the report with those involved in the crash. This enables drivers to check the information noted by the investigating officer and detect any inaccuracies early.

Passengers Involved in the Crash 

The report can also be requested by the passengers involved in the accident. They may not be operating a vehicle, but they may need the document when they are asking for compensation for their injuries or medical costs.

Vehicle Owners

While the driver of a vehicle at the time of an accident may have rights to obtain the accident report, those rights belong to the registered owner of the vehicle.

This can often be when a member of the family, an employee, or a friend was driving the car. Owners often require the report to repair damage to their vehicle, to discuss the matter with their insurance company, or to deal with liability issues.

Parents/Legal Guardians of a Minor

If a minor is involved in an accident, a parent/legal guardian can legally request the accident report in the child’s name.

This allows parents to safeguard their child’s rights and ensure medical care is coordinated, in addition to their ability to deal with insurance companies in case of harm or property damage.

Insurance Companies

One of the most frequent organizations that ask for accident reports is insurance companies. They rely on the information to check the facts of the policy, identify liability, investigate claims, and negotiate settlements.

In the absence of the official report, insurers would find it much more difficult to determine what exactly did take place and who is at fault.

Government Agencies Performing Official Duties 

When a government agency is conducting an official activity, they also have the opportunity to have access to an accident report. This applies to any law enforcement agency, prosecutor, court, or other authority that is designated by the government.

These reports may be used for any purpose of the government as allowed by Georgia law for criminal investigation, traffic safety analysis, roadway planning, or other purposes.

Key Takeaways

• In Georgia, car accident reports are not available to the public.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(5) identifies who may legally obtain a report.
• Drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, parents or guardians of minors, attorneys, insurance companies, and authorized government agencies are all eligible.
• Access to the premises may be allowed under the courts or other laws under certain circumstances.
• The protections of Privacy Shield from misuse of sensitive personal information included in crash reports.

The post Who Can Legally Access a Car Accident Report in Georgia? appeared first on The Hype Magazine.