If you have been in a car accident, you should know how to obtain an accident report, because that document will be helpful in proving your case and demonstrating what happened. While an accident report is unlikely to explain the entire story, it will show which parties were involved, help describe what happened, and show if the police blame a particular driver for the crash. Boris Lavent explains this process in detail.
How to Obtain an Accident Report in Florida: The Steps
Step #1
Get your Florida Highway Patrol accident number. If you cannot find yours, you can contact the state patrol station closest to where your accident took place and they can assist you in locating it. Here is the full list of patrol stations throughout the state.
Step #2
You can complete the Sworn Statement for Traffic Crash Report Information. Since the reports themselves are confidential for 60 days after the report has been filed, you must complete this form to prove that you were involved in the crash. It also has to be notarized before being submitted to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Step #3
You can purchase a copy of your report online, which can be easier. This is through a third-party site, BuyCrash.com.
If you need more information on how to obtain an accident report, feel free to call our office or the Florida Highway Patrol. You will need a copy of the report for your insurance company and your case, so these are steps worth taking.
Your Options
If you did not file a report at the scene of the accident, you can do so online. The state patrol system allows you to self-report what happened using an online form or you can print out a PDF and mail it in.
Regardless of which option you select, it is important to file a report and obtain a copy of it for use in your case. Also, whether you file a report at the scene or online, you need to be sure to sign it in order to make it valid.
Get Your Questions Answered by a Car Wreck Lawyer in Miami
If you have additional questions beyond how to obtain an accident report in Florida, call Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer. At our office, you are not a name on a file but someone deserving of personal attention and support. We will answer all your accident and injury-related questions to ensure that you are both well-informed and comfortable with the process. To get answers, call (305) 257-9464, or contact us here.