A crash must be reported when anyone is hurt or killed or property damage appears to be $500 or more. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273 says the driver “shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice” to local police inside a city, or to the county sheriff or nearest State Patrol office outside one.
Other duties attach at the scene:
| Duty | Who | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stop and stay, as close as possible | Driver in a crash with injury, death, or a driven or attended vehicle | § 40-6-270(a) |
| Give name, address, registration; show license on request | Same | § 40-6-270(a)(1), (2) |
| Render reasonable assistance, including arranging transport | Same | § 40-6-270(a)(3) |
| Try to contact EMS and police if someone can't communicate | Same | § 40-6-270(a)(4) |
| Exchange insurer names | On the officer's instruction | § 40-6-273.1 |
Failing to stop and comply is treated as follows. If the crash is the proximate cause of death or serious injury, it’s a felony with one to five years, § 40-6-270(b). With lesser injury, or damage to a driven or attended vehicle, it’s a misdemeanor, with a first-conviction fine of $300 to $1,000, up to 12 months, or both, and higher minimum fines on repeat convictions, (c).
Why reporting also matters for civil claims: uninsured motorist recovery against an unknown driver depends on a report as § 40-6-273 requires, under § 33-7-11(c). The report also records the people involved, even though the officer’s opinion isn’t binding on a jury.
Your insurance policy has its own notice clause, so a call to the insurer is a separate step. Parking-lot crashes where damage appears to be under $500 may not need police notice, but a photo and an exchange of information still protect both drivers.
General information about Georgia law as of November 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.