Car accidents in Georgia: what to do and who pays

At the scene and reporting a crash in Georgia

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police

Stop right away in a safe place. Notify the nearest law enforcement agency immediately if anyone is hurt or killed, or if property damage is more than $500. Give reasonable help to anyone injured.

Damage amount

$500

Report to the state

No separate driver crash report to the Department of Driver Services or Department of Revenue was found in official sources. Your insurer reports your coverage electronically to the Department of Revenue.

Law

Georgia DDS, Georgia Driver's Manual 2023-2024, 'If You Are Involved In A Crash' (notify police if anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $500.00)

Official text

Read the official text

First 24 hours after a crash in Georgia

Tick the boxes as you go, or print the list and keep it in your glove box.

Insurance system in Georgia

Georgia is a fault (tort) state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other people's injuries and damage.

System

Fault (tort)

PIP, benefits and when you can sue

No PIP is required. Georgia uses a tort (fault) system: the at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for others' injuries and property damage. Medical payments, collision and comprehensive are optional. You may claim under your own collision coverage even if someone else caused the crash.

Law

Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI), Auto insurance page and Guide to Auto Insurance

Official text

Read the official text

Compare every state in the no-fault states table.

Who pays: comparative fault in Georgia

Rule

Check your state

Law

O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 (reduction and apportionment of award or bar of recovery according to percentage of fault)

Compare every state's rule in the comparative negligence table.

Who pays in Georgia: fault and payout explainer

If both drivers share the blame, your state's comparative-fault rule decides whether you can recover and how much. Enter your share of the fault and your total damages to see what the rule means. This is an illustration, not a prediction: insurers, juries and judges decide the percentages.

Minimum insurance in Georgia

Liability minimum

25/50/25

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

Uninsured motorist coverage is available and protects you if an uninsured driver causes a crash that damages your car or injures you or your passengers; the OCI guide says you can purchase it.

Official text

Read the official text

Numbers like 25/50/25 mean $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $25,000 for property damage. Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

Getting the police report in Georgia

Ask the police agency that worked the crash for a copy; the OCI advises asking the officer at the scene when the report will be filed and how to get it. For Georgia State Patrol crashes, request records from the Georgia Department of Public Safety Open Records Unit, including online through its EPORTS system; requests fall under the Georgia Open Records Act and may carry a fee. Official page: https://dps.georgia.gov/divisions/open-records-unit

You can also ask by mail with our free police report request letter.

Filing a claim and insurer deadlines in Georgia

Put your claim in writing. Our free insurance claim letter lists your damages and asks for a written answer.

If the other driver has no insurance in Georgia

Owners must keep continuous Georgia liability insurance on every registered vehicle. A lapse means a $25 fine, plus up to $160 more if not paid within 30 days, and the registration can be suspended or revoked; driving on a suspended registration is a crime and the car may be impounded (Georgia Department of Revenue). If an uninsured driver causes a crash, uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it) pays you as if the other driver were covered (OCI).

Read what to do if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

Deadlines to sue in Georgia

Property damage (your car)

4 years

Injury

2 years

Notes, including claims against a government

Before suing a Georgia government, send a written notice of claim: within 6 months for a city, 12 months for a county or the State.

Law

O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-31 (property), 9-3-33 (personal injury)

The deadline is the statute of limitations. Insurance claims and talks with an adjuster don't stop it. Compare every state in the deadlines table.

Deadline to sue in Georgia

Every state limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car crash. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of claim and the date of the crash to see the usual deadline and the last day to file. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Small claims for property damage in Georgia

Small claims limit

$15,000 in Magistrate Court for people and businesses; a new law raises it to $25,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.

Georgia small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Small claims court can be a way to recover the cost of repairs from the driver who caused the crash. Read how to use small claims for car damage.

Insurance complaints in Georgia

If an insurer delays, underpays or denies a claim without a good reason, you can file a complaint with the state insurance regulator:

• Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, Consumer Services · (800) 656-2298

Free help in Georgia

• Georgia OCI Consumer Services · (800) 656-2298
• Georgia Department of Revenue, vehicle insurance requirements
• Georgia Department of Public Safety, Open Records Unit

Good to know in Georgia

• Georgia's crash reporting threshold is low: notify police if property damage is more than $500 (DDS Georgia Driver's Manual).
• Since SB 68 (signed April 21, 2025), evidence that you weren't wearing a seat belt can be admitted in a car crash case and used to reduce damages (O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76.1(d) as amended by SB 68, Section 5).
• A lapse in coverage of 10 days or more between policies triggers a $25 fine and possible registration suspension (Georgia Department of Revenue).

Changes in 2024–2026

SB 68, signed April 21, 2025 (official text on the Governor's site): seat-belt evidence can now be admitted in car crash cases and used to reduce damages (O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76.1(d)); special damages for medical expenses are limited to the reasonable value of necessary care, and juries may hear amounts actually paid or needed to satisfy the charges; arguing pain-and-suffering amounts is limited; voluntary dismissal during trial is limited; new rules for negligent-security cases. Small claims (Magistrate Court) limit rises to $25,000 on January 1, 2027.

Free letters

Questions about car accidents in Georgia

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