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BuyCrash Georgia: What It Costs, How It Works, and the Free Alternative
By Mark Wade, Attorney at Georgia Auto Law | Last reviewed: July 21, 2026
The short answer
BuyCrash is the legitimate, state-designatedonline portal for Georgia crash reports, run by LexisNexis. It’s also the most expensive way to get one — Atlanta reports cost $11 there versus about $5 at the records counter, and $0 through Georgia Auto Law if your accident type is eligible. You’re paying for speed and convenience, not for access.
If you searched for your Georgia crash report online, you landed on BuyCrash — and probably wondered whether a LexisNexis checkout page is really where government accident records live. It is: according to the Georgia Department of Transportation, GDOT is the designated state agency for managing Georgia’s crash reports, and police crash reports are made available to the public through BuyCrash, its third-party vendor. What the checkout page doesn’t tell you is that the same report is available cheaper — or free — through other doors.
What BuyCrash actually charges
There is no single BuyCrash price: each agency sets its report fee, and LexisNexis adds processing fees on top. The clearest published number in metro Atlanta comes from the city itself — according to the City of Atlanta, an APD accident report costs $11 on BuyCrash, paid by credit or debit card, and is available for download immediately after payment. Compare that to what the government channels charge for the identical document:
| Where | Cost | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Auto Law (this site) | $0 if eligible | We handle the lookup; delivered after a quick call |
| Agency records counter | ~$5 (e.g., Gwinnett, DeKalb) | A drive and business-hours visit |
| GDOT by mail/fax | $5 ($7 certified) | Money order/cashier’s check + mail time |
| BuyCrash | Varies by agency ($11 for Atlanta PD) | Highest cost; instant download once posted |
How to use BuyCrash
- Go to buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com and select Georgia.
- Choose the investigating agency — the department named on the card or exchange-of-information slip the officer gave you, not necessarily where you live.
- Search with your last name and the crash date. The report number is the fastest key — Atlanta requires it along with an involved last name — and some agencies also accept a VIN or license plate.
- Pay by card and download the PDF.
Having portal trouble? GDOT lists BuyCrash customer support at 1-866-215-2771 and support.buycrash@lexisnexisrisk.com.
Why your report isn’t showing up
- It’s too soon. Reports appear only after the agency submits them to the state system — Gwinnett County cites about four business days, the City of Atlanta five to seven. Wait a week before worrying.
- Wrong agency selected.A crash in Sandy Springs belongs to Sandy Springs PD, not Fulton County; weekday-daytime interstate crashes in Atlanta belong to the Georgia State Patrol. Check the officer’s card and our county and Atlanta guides for who covers what.
- The agency isn’t on BuyCrash. Cobb County, for example, distributes reports through its own Police2Citizen portal instead.
Who can buy a report at all
However you get it, Georgia limits crash report access to people with a qualifying need under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(5) — involved drivers, vehicle and property owners, injured people and witnesses, insurers, attorneys, and a few other categories. If you were in the crash, you qualify. The full breakdown is in every way to get your Georgia crash report.
The bottom line
BuyCrash works, and if you need the PDF this minute and don’t mind the fee, it’s a fine choice. But you never haveto pay it: the records counter and GDOT sell the same document for about $5 — and if your accident type is eligible, we’ll cover the cost entirely and get the report to you by phone, no charge and no obligation. Once you have it, our crash report decoder explains every code on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BuyCrash legitimate?
Yes. BuyCrash is operated by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and the Georgia Department of Transportation — the state agency that manages Georgia’s crash reports — officially directs the public to BuyCrash for online report purchases. It is not a scam; it is simply a paid convenience layer on top of records you can also get directly from the government.
How much does BuyCrash cost in Georgia?
The total varies by agency because each agency sets its report fee and LexisNexis adds processing fees. As one verified data point, the City of Atlanta says APD reports cost $11 on BuyCrash, paid by credit or debit card. By comparison, the same report is typically about $5 at the agency records counter or by mail from GDOT — or free through Georgia Auto Law if your accident type is eligible.
Why can’t I find my report on BuyCrash?
Three common reasons. First, timing: reports only appear after the investigating agency submits them to the state system — Gwinnett County cites about four business days, and the City of Atlanta says five to seven. Second, wrong agency: search under the department that actually responded (a city PD, county PD, sheriff, or Georgia State Patrol — the officer’s card names it). Third, some agencies aren’t on BuyCrash at all — Cobb County, for example, distributes reports through its own Police2Citizen portal.
Do I have to use BuyCrash to get my Georgia crash report?
No. BuyCrash is the fastest online option, but the same official report is available for about $5 in person from most investigating agencies, for $5 by mail or fax from GDOT ($7 certified), or free through Georgia Auto Law if your accident type is eligible.
What information do I need to search BuyCrash?
Select Georgia and the investigating agency, then search with your last name and the crash date. The report number gets you there fastest — Atlanta, for example, requires the report number plus an involved last name — and some agencies also let you search by VIN or license plate.
Why pay for it at all?
If your accident type is eligible, we cover the cost of your official Georgia crash report and reach out by phone to get it to you — typically within a few business days.
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