Matthew Mincone | August 23, 2024 | Car Accident
A car accident report can be your best friend after a fender bender in Florida. It provides crucial details about what happened and is key when handling insurance claims or any legal tussles that might arise. This guide answers common questions about car accident reports in the Sunshine State.
When Do You Need To Report A Car Accident In Florida?
You don’t have to report every incident in Florida. Florida law requires reporting only if:
- Someone was injured or killed
- There was at least $500 in property damage
- The accident involved a commercial vehicle
- The other driver was drunk
- A vehicle is inoperable and needs a tow
- It was a hit-and-run
In other words, minor parking lot collisions don’t generally need to be reported. However, it’s often smart to do so anyway, as seemingly minor accidents can have hidden consequences.
How Do You Report An Accident?
There are two main ways to report an accident in Florida:
- Call the Police: They’ll file an official long-form report
- File a Report Yourself: You must do this online or by mail using the state’s Driver Self Report of Traffic Crash form
For serious accidents, it’s usually a good idea to call the police. They’ll gather evidence and file a detailed report. For minor accidents, self-reporting may be sufficient.
What Information Goes In A Crash Report?
Whether filed by police or yourself, a crash report typically includes:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names and contact info for all drivers involved
- Insurance information for all parties
- Details about any injuries or property damage
- Description of how the accident occurred
- Diagram of the crash scene
- Names and statements of any witnesses
A police report may also note if traffic laws were violated and who the responding officer believes was at fault.
What Happens If You Don’t Report A Car Accident?
Failing to report an accident when legally required can lead to fines, suspension of your driver’s license, or even possible criminal charges in serious cases.
The penalties are especially harsh for hit-and-run accidents. In Florida, leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries is a felony.
How Long Do You Have To File A Report?
If police come to the scene, they’ll file the report immediately. If you’re self-reporting, you have 10 days from the date of the accident to submit the form.
Can You Get A Copy Of Your Crash Report?
You can request a copy of your crash report from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) online portal. There’s usually a small fee of $10 and a $2 convenience fee per report. Due to privacy laws, only individuals involved in the accident can access these reports. Your insurance company or car accident attorney can also obtain a copy on your behalf.
The alternative is to visit the nearest Florida Highway Patrol station in person. You’ll need to bring a signed statement, show ID, and pay a fee.
Do Minor Accidents Need To Be Reported?
Technically, you only need to report accidents meeting the criteria listed previously. That said, there are good reasons to report even minor accidents. For instance:
- Injuries aren’t always immediately apparent
- What looks like minor damage could be more serious
- It creates an official record in case of future disputes
- It protects you if the other driver later claims injuries
When deciding whether to file a report, consider the potential long-term implications.
When In Doubt, It’s Usually Best To File A Report
The rules around accident reporting may seem complicated, but they boil down to a simple principle: if an accident causes injuries or significant damage, you should report it.
When in doubt, it’s almost always better to file a report. At worst, you’ll have wasted some time on unnecessary paperwork. Even so, that’s far preferable to the problems that can arise from failing to report when you should have. Call Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer if you have questions about car accident reports in Florida.
Contact the Tampa Car Accident Lawyers at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, contact our skilled car accident lawyers at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County and its surrounding areas:
Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers
1925 E 6th Ave Ste 10
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 430-3338