Car Wreck in Atlanta, GA: What To Do, Who To Call, and How It Works Here

A car wreck in Atlanta, GA can go from stressful to overwhelming very quickly. Between busy interstates like I-285, I-75, I-85, and the Downtown Connector, plus crowded surface streets, crashes are a daily reality for people who live in, work in, or visit Atlanta.

This guide walks you through what to do right after a wreck, how Atlanta-specific processes work, and where to turn for help locally.

First Steps After a Car Wreck in Atlanta

1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Right after a crash in Atlanta:

• Move to a safe location if you can, especially if you’re on:
  • I-75 / I-85 (Downtown Connector)
  • I-20, I-285, or GA 400
• Turn on your hazard lights.
• If anyone might be injured, call 911 immediately.

Even in minor collisions, Atlanta traffic can be fast and aggressive. Getting out of the lane of travel, if it’s safe to do so, helps reduce the risk of a secondary crash.

2. Call 911 (Even for “Minor” Wrecks)

In Atlanta, it’s common for people to call 911 for any car wreck, even if it seems minor. When you call:

• Tell the dispatcher:
  • Your location (nearest exit, intersection, or mile marker)
  • Whether anyone appears injured
  • How many vehicles are involved

Depending on where you are, the responding agency may be:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD) – for crashes on city streets
• Georgia State Patrol (GSP) – often for interstate and state highway crashes
• Police departments of nearby cities (e.g., Sandy Springs, Brookhaven) for wrecks in those areas

Key Local Contact

• Emergency (anywhere in Atlanta): 911
• Non-emergency APD line (for follow-up, not active emergencies): 404-658-6666

When and How to Move Vehicles in Atlanta

On Atlanta interstates and major roads, leaving vehicles blocking lanes can be dangerous and cause big traffic snarls.

General practice in the Atlanta area:

• If there are no serious injuries and the vehicles are drivable, drivers are usually expected to move their cars to the shoulder or a safe nearby location after taking photos.
• If moving the vehicle would be unsafe or impossible, turn on your hazards and stay out of traffic until help arrives.

When in doubt, take photos first, then move your car out of the main flow if it’s safe.

Exchanging Information at the Scene

After a car wreck in Atlanta, you’ll typically exchange:

• Full name and contact info
• Driver’s license number
• License plate number and state
• Insurance company and policy number
• Year, make, and model of each vehicle

Also note:

• Location of the wreck: street names, nearest intersection, or interstate and exit number
• Time and weather conditions

Take clear photos of:

• Vehicle damage
• Roadway position before moving cars (if safe)
• Any skid marks, road debris, or traffic signs/signals
• Driver’s licenses and insurance cards (if the other party agrees)

Reporting a Car Wreck in Atlanta, GA

Police Reports in Atlanta

In the Atlanta area, law enforcement commonly issues an official crash report for wrecks that involve:

• Injuries or death
• Possible impairment
• Significant vehicle damage
• Disputes about what happened

The officer will usually give you a case number at the scene.

You can typically obtain a copy of an Atlanta crash report through:

• Atlanta Police Department
  • Address: 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Non-emergency: 404-658-6666
  • Many reports can be requested online or in person at APD Headquarters or Central Records.

For crashes outside APD’s jurisdiction (e.g., on state routes or in surrounding cities), reports may be handled by:

• Georgia State Patrol
  • Headquarters: 959 E Confederate Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
  • Main line: 404-624-7000
• Or the relevant local city/county police department (e.g., DeKalb County, Fulton County, Cobb County).

Self-Reporting a Minor Crash

If officers do not respond (for example, in a very minor fender-bender where 911 operators advise you to exchange info and move on), in Georgia you can typically file an incident report directly with the local police department or online, depending on the agency’s procedures.

Medical Care After a Wreck in Atlanta

Even if you feel okay after a wreck, some injuries aren’t obvious right away.

Common options in the Atlanta area include:

• Emergency Rooms (for serious or urgent injuries)

  • Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Emory University Hospital – 1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
  • Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South (and other major hospital systems)

• Urgent Care Clinics (for non-emergency issues)

  • Numerous walk-in clinics across Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, and surrounding suburbs

If you’re visiting Atlanta, it’s still wise to get checked out locally rather than waiting until you travel home, especially if symptoms are getting worse.

Towing, Impounds, and Vehicle Storage in Atlanta

When Your Car Needs a Tow

If your vehicle isn’t drivable:

1. Ask the responding officer what tow options are available.
2. In Atlanta, police often call a rotation tow company that is authorized to clear wrecks quickly.
3. Make a note of:
   • Towing company name
   • Phone number
   • Where your car is being taken (lot address)

Atlanta Police and Impound Lots

If your car is towed under APD authority (for example, from a city street or certain crash scenes), it may be taken to:

• Atlanta Police Department (City) Impound Lot
  • Address: 3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30331
  • Phone: 404-546-4330

Call ahead to confirm:

• That your vehicle is there
• What documents you need to retrieve it (usually ID, proof of ownership)
• Towing and storage fee details

Insurance Basics for Atlanta Drivers

Car wrecks in Atlanta are handled under Georgia’s at-fault insurance system. In simple terms:

• The driver found at fault (or their insurer) is generally responsible for injuries and property damage they cause, up to policy limits.

Common Types of Coverage You Might Deal With

Your own policy, the other driver’s policy, or both may come into play, depending on who is found responsible and what coverage exists.

Filing Insurance Claims After a Wreck in Atlanta

1. Notify Your Own Insurance Company

Even if you believe the other driver is clearly at fault, many insurers expect:

• Prompt notice of any crash
• Basic details: date, time, location (e.g., “I-85 northbound near 17th Street exit”), vehicles involved, and any known injuries

When speaking with any insurance company:

• Stick to factual, neutral descriptions.
• Avoid guessing about injuries or fault.
• Provide your Atlanta police report number once you have it.

2. Claim With the Other Driver’s Insurer

If the other driver is believed to be at fault, you may:

• Open a claim with their insurer for:
  • Vehicle repair
  • Rental car (if applicable under their or your policy)
  • Other losses tied to the wreck

Adjusters may ask for:

• Police report
• Photos of damage
• Repair estimates from Atlanta-area body shops

Dealing With Repairs and Total Loss in Atlanta

Vehicle Repairs

In the Atlanta area, you will find:

• Independent body shops throughout the city and suburbs
• Dealer-affiliated repair centers (especially for newer vehicles or specific makes)

Insurers sometimes have preferred shops, but in Georgia drivers generally can:

• Choose any licensed repair shop they want, even if the insurer suggests another.

It can help to:

• Get more than one estimate, especially if damage is extensive.
• Ask the shop about repair timelines, given parts availability and current backlog.

Total Loss Situations

If your car is declared a total loss:

• The insurer will usually compare the actual cash value of your car (based on similar vehicles in the Atlanta metro market) to the repair cost.
• They may offer a settlement based on that value, minus any applicable deductible.

Many Atlanta drivers compare the offer against similar vehicles for sale in:

• Atlanta proper
• Surrounding suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and College Park

Handling Hit-and-Run Wrecks in Atlanta

Hit-and-run crashes are an issue on some Atlanta interstates and busy corridors.

If the other driver leaves the scene:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Note as much detail as you can:
   • License plate (even partial)
   • Vehicle make, model, color
   • Direction they were headed (e.g., southbound on I-75, passing University Ave exit)
3. Look for potential witnesses and nearby businesses that may have cameras.

You may end up turning to:

• Your uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it)
• Any applicable coverage on your own policy (MedPay, collision)

Atlanta-area police may ask you to:

• Provide a written statement
• Review any traffic or security footage if available

Rental Cars, Rideshare, and Getting Around After a Wreck

After a car wreck, getting around Atlanta without a vehicle can be challenging, especially if you rely on your car for commuting.

Common options:

• Rental car – sometimes covered by your policy or the at-fault driver’s insurer, depending on coverage
• MARTA – trains and buses:
  • Central hub stations downtown and in Midtown
  • Helpful for commutes along I-20, I-75/85 corridors
• Rideshare services – widely available in most Atlanta neighborhoods and near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Temporary carpooling with coworkers or family in the metro area

Check your insurance policy to see if rental reimbursement is included and what the daily limits are.

Special Considerations for Visitors in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and get into a car wreck:

• The crash will still be handled under Georgia law, regardless of where your license is from.
• Notify your home-state insurer right away.
• Get local medical evaluation if needed before you leave town.
• Keep copies of:
  • Atlanta police report or case number
  • Medical visit summaries
  • Tow and repair documents

If you are driving a rental car:

• Contact the rental company’s emergency line (on your rental agreement or key tag).
• Follow both Georgia procedures (police, insurance) and the rental company’s specific instructions.

Practical Checklist for Car Wrecks in Atlanta, GA

Right After the Wreck

• ✅ Check for injuries and call 911
• ✅ Move to a safe location if possible (especially on interstates)
• ✅ Turn on hazard lights
• ✅ Exchange contact and insurance information
• ✅ Take photos of vehicles, scene, and documents

Within the Next 24–72 Hours

• ✅ Get medical care if you feel any pain or new symptoms
• ✅ Request or track down your police crash report
• ✅ Notify your insurance company
• ✅ Confirm tow yard or impound lot details if your car was removed
• ✅ Get repair estimates from Atlanta-area shops, if needed

A car wreck in Atlanta, GA can disrupt your day and your routine, but knowing how the local process works—who responds, where cars are taken, how insurance is usually handled, and what services are available in the city—can make the situation more manageable and help you take the right next steps.