Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | June 8, 2025 | Car Accidents
Florida maintains a record of car accidents and truck accidents that occur within the state. State laws require drivers to report accidents that meet certain requirements, and those reports then become public records that may be requested by interested parties.
If you live or plan to travel in the Sunshine State, it’s important to know how these auto accident reports work.
When You Have To Report an Accident
In Florida, you are required to report a car accident to law enforcement as soon as possible if any of the following are true of your crash:
- Someone was injured
- Someone passed away
- A vehicle fled the scene of the accident
- You suspect that a driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- One of the vehicles was unable to move
- A commercial vehicle was involved
- At least $500 in damage was caused by the crash
This means you are essentially required to report almost every car accident in Florida. Vehicles are expensive, so even the most trivial of body repairs is likely to cost more than $500 to fix. Only very minor incidents may avoid reaching the $500 damage limit.
Optional Self-Reporting
If your crash doesn’t meet the reporting requirements, you still have the option to report it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV). You can fill out a crash report and file it online or mail it in. If you take this option, you should report your accident within 10 days of when it occurred.
While self-reporting is optional, it can also be beneficial. Self-reporting can protect you from potential criminal liability, especially if the other driver falsely claims that you fled the scene of the accident. The information in that report can also be helpful during an insurance claim or civil lawsuit.
What Happens After You Report an Accident to Law Enforcement?
If you are making a required report, law enforcement should arrive at the scene of the accident promptly after you call 911. The police officer who arrives may create a long-form Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) traffic incident report. This report is then filed with the FDHSMV.
How To Get a Copy of the FHP Traffic Report
You can purchase a copy of the FHP incident report after it has been filed. To purchase the report, you need to pay $10, and the state will only provide you with a copy if you have a legitimate interest in the case.
This means you can generally only get a copy if you were involved in the accident, represent someone involved, or represent an insurance company that covers someone involved.
Crash reports may take as long as 10 days to become available. Once you purchase the report, you can receive a digital or physical copy. Digital copies are available immediately and must be downloaded no more than two days after they are requested.
If you want a physical copy, it can take between four and six weeks to obtain one.
Why You Might Need a Copy of the Report
The crash report covers information about all involved parties and potential witnesses. It also includes a partial recreation of the accident scene. These details can be useful for proving which party was at fault in the accident.
Typically, your lawyer will request a copy of the police report if they believe that any portion of it might be helpful.
Dealing With Car Accident Reports in Florida
If you experience a car accident in Florida, it is often best to report it to the police, even if you think it may not require reporting. If the police don’t arrive, you can still self-report the accident. This extra effort can go a long way in protecting your rights and helping you receive the compensation you deserve in a future claim.
To learn more, contact Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Fort Lauderdale, Clermont, and its surrounding areas:
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 401, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 361-3997
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1655 E Hwy 50 ste 316, Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 77-33866