How to get a police report after an accident in Florida

When you pursue a car accident claim after a crash in Florida, one of the pieces of evidence you will need is the police crash report. You can request a copy of a police accident report by contacting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), which serves as the state’s official repository for crash records. Even easier, you can hire a car accident attorney to get this valuable item for you.

What Information Will Be on a Police Crash Report?

Insurance companies almost always request a copy of the police crash report from a car accident because the report contains information that can help them determine fault for the crash. A police accident report typically lists information such as:

• The time, date, and location of the accident
• Basic information about the accident, including weather and road conditions, the type of collision, the first harmful event, and contributing circumstances
• Contact information for witnesses
• Information for each vehicle involved in the crash, including a description of the vehicle and the damage it sustained
• Whether any driver received a citation for the accident
• Information for each person involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, or pedestrians
• A narrative describing the crash scene and the results of the responding officer’s investigation, including notes of any witness statements or the officer’s opinion on which driver may have caused the accident
• A diagram of the crash scene

In some cases, investigating officers may take photos of the crash scene and include them with the police crash report.

What Do I Need to Provide to Get the Car Accident Report?

Police crash reports become available for request within 10 days of the accident. However, only the parties involved in the accident and other statutorily authorized parties may initially request the report. These could include:

• Lawyers for the people involved in the accident
• The involved drivers’ insurance companies
• Law enforcement agencies

After a car accident, you can request a copy of the police crash report through the FLHSMV online portal. Each crash report costs $10, with an additional $2 convenience fee. Once purchased, the report becomes immediately available for download for 48 hours.

Alternatively, you may request a copy of the police crash report by mail or in person by contacting the FLHSMV or the Florida Highway Patrol troop station nearest where the accident occurred.

Does Florida Require an Accident Report for Any Collision?

Florida law requires drivers to report any car accident that results in death or injury to any person or property damage with an apparent value of at least $500. They may do so by contacting local law enforcement, the county sheriff, or the Florida Highway Patrol. The law also requires law enforcement to file a written crash report whenever an officer investigates an auto accident that:

• Resulted in death, injury, or complaints of pain or discomfort by anyone involved in the crash
• Involved a hit-and-run or intoxicated driver
• Rendered any vehicle inoperable
• Involved a commercial vehicle

How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Report If the Police Did Not File One?

If law enforcement did not respond to a crash resulting in property damage, any driver involved must file their own report within 10 days of the accident. Failing to file an accident report is a traffic violation punishable as a non-moving violation.

What Should I Do If I Find Errors in the Report?

If you obtain a copy of the police crash report and discover an error, you must contact the law enforcement agency that drafted it since only they can amend it. In most cases, the law enforcement agency will correct basic factual errors, such as typos with your name or license/plate number. However, the agency may decline to change information about the responding officer’s investigation results unless you can present evidence to support the change.

For example, if the officer mistakenly noted that the left side of your car suffered damage when the damage occurred on the right, you may need to supply photographs of the damage. If an agency declines to fix the crash report, you may need legal help to pursue an amendment.

Will the Accident Report Help with My Car Accident Claim?

A police accident report that indicates that the other driver caused the crash can provide critical evidence for your car accident claim. A police officer cannot make binding factual findings about a car accident. However, law enforcement officers are trained to investigate traffic accidents and provide a neutral perspective on the evidence. Because of this, insurers frequently rely on the officer’s observations and opinions as detailed in the crash report.

Even if the police crash report does not favor your case, you can overcome the negative effect of the report by presenting other evidence that contradicts or undermines the investigating officer’s observations or conclusions.

Crucially, police accident reports are not admissible at trial in Florida. While the insurance company might use the contents of a crash report to decide whether its policyholder is liable for an accident, it cannot rely on the report if your attorney decides to take a lawsuit to court.

What Compensation Could I Receive for My Car Accident?

If someone else caused the car accident that injured you, they could owe you compensation for your:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
• Costs of long-term care, such as home health services or installation of disability accommodations
• Lost wages from missed work or reduced earnings in a modified-duty position
• Loss of future earning potential and employment benefits if disabilities affect your return to the workforce
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life

Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer

Were you hurt in a car accident in Florida? You need experienced legal help to prepare a compelling claim that includes the police report for the accident. Contact Zervos & Calta, PLLC today for a free consultation to speak with a Florida car accident lawyer about your options for pursuing compensation and justice.

Visit Our Florida Car Accident Law Offices

About the Author

Lauren Calta
Attorney Lauren Calta is a partner in the Tampa Bay law firm Zervos & Calta, PLLC. For 25 years, Lauren Calta has focused her legal practice on representing people who have been harmed in personal injury, car accidents or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. A distinguished personal injury trial attorney, she has secured millions of dollars for her clients and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum in recognition of having obtained a settlement or verdict in excess of $2 million. She also is an official member of Lawyers of Distinction, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers, Clearwater Bar Association and Florida Justice Association.