How to Get the Police Report for a Car Accident in Florida

If you get hurt in a car accident, the report that the responding officers prepare will serve as the foundation for all subsequent investigations. As such, it’s imperative to secure a copy as soon as possible.

Naturally, this can pose a challenge if you’re unfamiliar with the law enforcement agency that drafted it. This is especially true if you were on vacation when the crash occurred and you don’t actually live in the area.

While some jurisdictions make these documents available online, others require you to submit a request via mail, and still others demand that you go to the records division in person. In other words, there’s no universal approach for getting a copy of the police report following a wreck.

Since you have enough to worry about without having to handle such a request, the easiest route is enlisting legal help. Should you be planning on filing a personal injury claim anyway, that simply means calling a car accident attorney sooner.

A local lawyer will determine how to obtain the document in question and then go through the necessary channels for doing so on your behalf. If you’re wondering what all that might entail, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject:

1. What Information Do You Need to Get an Accident Report?

The more information you provide your legal team, the faster they’ll be able to secure the accident report. While you don’t have to supply all of the following, it will speed things up considerably if you can:

• The date and time of the incident;
• The location of the crash;
• The name of one or more licensed motorists who were involved; and
• The case number that was assigned by responding officers.

2. How Do You Determine Where the Accident Report Was Filed?

The responding officers should have filed their report with the records division of their jurisdiction. A local attorney should have no trouble finding out precisely where that is based on the location of the accident and the law enforcement agency that handled the scene.

3. Who Can Request an Accident Report in Florida?

In Florida, accident reports become public record after 60 days. Until they’re released for anyone to access, you will have to complete an affidavit verifying you were involved in the incident to obtain a copy.

Your legal team can help you complete this document before filing it with the appropriate entity on your behalf. You may also be able to submit your request online at the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

Discuss Your Claim with a Car Accident Attorney in West Palm Beach

If you were hurt in a wreck while on vacation in Florida, turn to Donaldson & Weston. Our resourceful team will be happy to handle your claim remotely, so you can focus on recovering in your home state. To schedule a free case review with a car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, call 561-299-3999 or fill out our Online Contact Form.