Police officers are often the first on the scene after a vehicle accident, and their reports ,the original accident report or incident report ,carry major weight. Whether you’re filing an insurance claim, preparing for personal injury lawsuits, or seeking medical attention, an incorrect police report can threaten your entire case. If you’ve been listed as the responsible party or the at-fault driver due to factual errors in a crash report, know that you have legal options.
At Ted Law Firm, we help accident victims across Atlanta fight back against subjective statements, minor omissions, and flat-out inaccuracies in accident reports. Our legal teams and accident attorneys understand how law enforcement officers, insurance adjusters, and insurance providers interpret these documents ,and how to challenge errors when your version of events doesn’t match the police report.
Why Police Reports Matter in Your Personal Injury Claim
A police report is more than just paperwork ,it’s an official law enforcement agency document that can define liability, sway the outcome of your personal injury claim, and influence the decisions of your insurance carrier or legal representation. These reports typically contain:
- Names of involved drivers, license plate numbers, and property damage assessments
- Weather conditions, road diagrams of the accident scene, and sequence of events
- Witness statements, officer notes, and possible citations
- The officer’s perspective on who the responsible party was in the automobile crash
Insurance companies, judges, personal injury lawyers, and accident lawyers rely heavily on this information. A mistake, whether by the police department or the police station, can result in a denied insurance claim, a reduced settlement, or worse ,being blamed for a crash you didn’t cause.
Common Errors Found in Crash Reports
Common errors in police reports vary widely, and even a single minor omission or subjective statement can derail your legal case. Examples include:
- Factual errors like wrong names, incorrect medical records, or mistyped dates
- Misreported vehicle damage, or inaccuracies about vehicle accident type
- Incorrect driver identified as the at-fault driver or responsible party
- Missing witness statements or inaccurate references to nearby businesses
- Errors in accident scene sketches or supplemental reports
- No mention of key weather conditions, traffic signals, or internal injuries
These mistakes often occur because law enforcement agencies process reports quickly ,especially in a busy city like Atlanta, where hit-and-run accidents and non-emergency incidents are common.
How Incorrect Reports Can Impact Your Case
A flawed original report can directly affect your financial recovery. A report that inaccurately places fault on you could:
- Reduce or nullify your insurance payout
- Delay your personal injury trial
- Hurt your standing in personal injury matters
- Cause complications in health insurance claims
- Damage your credibility in legal claims
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law states that if you’re found 50% or more at fault, you lose the right to recover damages ,making correcting a police report absolutely essential. Our experienced attorneys and skilled attorneys understand how insurance providers use these errors to undervalue your claim.
What to Do If Your Accident Report is Inaccurate
Here’s how to take control of your accident claim after a flawed crash report:
1. Get the Original Report
Contact the Atlanta Police Department, police station, or Georgia Department of Transportation to get the original accident report and any supplemental reports.
2. Gather Strong Supporting Evidence
Use your own documentation to prove your version of events and disprove factual errors:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Dashcam footage
- Statements from nearby businesses or witness statements
- Medical records and evidence of internal injuries
- Proof of vehicle damage from repair shops
- Proof of insurance and communications with your insurance adjuster
3. Request an Amendment
Reach out to the responsible police officer who authored the report. Submit your evidence and request a correction or supplemental report.
4. Write a Statement of Disagreement
If the officer won’t amend it, you can request your statement be attached to the official file ,allowing your version of events to be seen by insurance companies, legal teams, or even the court.
5. Contact an Accident Attorney
This is where Ted Law Firm steps in. If the error is affecting your personal injury claim, property damage compensation, or legal representation, we’ll fight for you.
Can You Sue Because of an Incorrect Police Report?
Generally, no ,you can’t sue over an incorrect police report alone. These reports are often considered hearsay in court. But if an incorrect police report caused financial harm due to law enforcement officer negligence or led your insurance carrier to deny valid compensation, a claim may be possible ,though rare.
More often, your focus should be on reversing the damage and proving the truth of your accident scene and your role as the non-fault party.
At Ted Law Firm, our accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of accident cases ,from simple property damage claims to complex personal injury lawsuits. If you’ve been affected by an incorrect police report, we can:
- Analyze your original report and supplemental reports
- Help gather witness statements, medical records, and vehicle damage documentation
- Deal directly with the police department and the responsible police officer
- Draft a professional amendment request
- Navigate negotiations with insurance companies
- Take your case to court if needed to secure a favorable outcome
We handle personal injury matters related to vehicle accidents, accident reconstruction expert consultations, and disputes with insurance carriers, insurance adjusters, or even the city government when necessary.
Been misrepresented in a police report after a vehicle accident in Atlanta? Call our accident attorney now!
Let Ted Law Firm handle the legal stress while you focus on healing. We proudly help people in Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Warner Robins, and all of Georgia! We advocate for accident victims across South Carolina and Georgia. We fight for fair compensation – even when insurance companies don’t.
At Ted Law Firm, our legal teams challenge factual errors, fix accident reports, and fight insurance claim denials. Whether you need to correct witness statements, prove property damage, or get medical attention, we’re ready. From insurance negotiations to personal injury lawsuits, our law firms know how to win your case. Contact us today for a FREE review of your original accident report, and secure your rightful compensation!
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
