How Can I Obtain a Car Accident Report From the Police in Florida?
One of the first documents you’ll need for a car accident claim is the police report filed after the accident. This is the official report filed by the officer who responded to your accident. It contains a lot of information about what happened. In some cases, the police officer may offer an opinion as to how the car accident occurred.
Because police reports are public records, you need only pay a nominal fee to obtain the report filed after your car crash. Our car accident attorneys at Chiumento Law, PLLC will need the report to investigate your accident in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, or other jurisdictions and pursue an injury claim. If you have it when you meet with us, we can start right away.
Below, we explain how to get a police report after a car accident in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, or anywhere in Florida. For a free initial consultation about a car accident claim, contact a Palm Coast car accident lawyer at Chiumento Law.
Where To Get a Car Accident Police Report in Florida
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is the custodian of car accident reports filed from across the state. It maintains the state’s repository for car crash records at www.FloridaCrashPortal.gov.
On the Florida crash homepage, you will clearly see links for “Buy a Crash Report,” “Report a Traffic Crash” and “Florida Crash Data.” There are explanations for each below:
- First, you need to know that it may take up to 10 days from the date of the accident for a car accident report to become available online. Once you pay for the report, you’ll provide an email address and the FLHSMV system will send you a download link. The fee is $10 per report, plus a $2 convenience fee per transaction, paid with a credit or debit card. Investigators and others who need to can obtain reports from up to 10 crashes in a single transaction.
- Once you click through to Buy a Crash Report, you’ll find the explanation above and some other information, and an “Accept” button. Clicking the Accept button takes you to a form at which you will need to indicate that you were involved in the crash. That makes you eligible to access the report immediately. Lawyers for crash victims, insurance companies, and news organizations also are entitled to skip the 60-day waiting period.
- When you check the “party involved” box, you’ll be required to enter a driver’s license or state ID number and click “Accept.” Then you can search for your accident report with either your last name (which also requires the crash date and county it was in), the report number (the responding deputy or officer should have given you this information), or the VIN (vehicle identification number) from a vehicle in the crash.
- Once you locate the report you need, click the box to certify that you are sure it is the correct one, pay, and provide an email address. Then you can click on the download link you receive to obtain a copy of your police accident report. You must download the report within 48 hours of the request. You should save it to your hard drive and print out a copy.
You may also request a copy of an accident report by mail or in person. This requires you to complete a sworn statement of your eligibility, which must be notarized, identify the report you need (date/location/parties involved), and include a check or money order made out to “FLHSMV.”
You can take or mail the request to the Florida Highway Patrol Troop Station nearest to where the crash occurred. Processing time to receive the report by mail is 4-6 weeks.
How to File a Police Report for a Car Accident
In Florida, police will respond to a car accident if there has been any of the following:
- A death
- An injury
- Apparent damage worth at least $500
- A wrecker needed to remove a vehicle
- A suspected drunk driver involved
- A hit and run
- A commercial motor vehicle involved such as a tractor-trailer or bus
If you are in a crash resulting in damage to a vehicle or other property that does not meet the criteria above, you can self-report the crash if a law enforcement officer does not respond to the accident scene. You need to download the Driver Report of a Traffic Crash, complete all applicable fields, including signature and date, and email it to SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov.
You can instead mail a copy to:
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Crash Records
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28
Tallahassee, FL 32399
It is a good idea to make a report of the accident. Keep a copy of the report you submit for your records and for insurance purposes.
Do I Need a Police Report for My Car Accident Case?
Yes, you will need the police report from your car accident to pursue an insurance claim. But if you are recovering from serious injuries suffered in a car accident, you don’t need to deal with online portals and forms. If Chiumento Law handles your car accident claim, our attorneys will gather the documents we need.
If you have been injured in a car accident that someone else caused in Flagler or Volusia county, it is best to speak to a Palm Coast car accident attorney as soon as you can. Chiumento Law is ready to start working to seek compensation for you. We are proud of our record of results. Just give us a call at (386) 445-8900 or fill out our online contact form now for a free consultation and claim evaluation.
About the Author
Chiumento Law, PLLC is one of the oldest law firms in Flagler and Volusia counties. The well-respected law firm is a full-service firm, with attorneys providing legal services to individuals, families, and businesses in Florida in a broad range of areas. Our practice areas include Elder Law, Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, Estate Planning, Business and Corporate Law, Real Estate law, Immigration Law, Criminal Law and Construction Law. The firm has offices in Palm Coast and Ormond Beach and handles both criminal and civil cases. At Chiumento Law, PLLC, we are proud of our long-term commitment to the Flagler and Volusia County community. Our lawyers are all active community members, and many have served in multiple positions in local government and community organizations.
Please contact us at (386) 445-8900 with any questions or to schedule a consultation.