October 21, 2025 | Car Accidents
If you are involved in a car accident in Florida, you are required by law to submit a crash report to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). This report is then held by the state to be used for collating crash data and provided to relevant interested parties. Why is this report important, and what do you need to know about crash reports?
Understanding how and when to file a report can make a big difference in protecting your rights after a crash. Continue reading to learn more about the process, what information is included in a crash report, and how it can impact your insurance claim or personal injury case.
How to File a Crash Report in Florida
There are two ways to file a crash report, depending on whether there were injuries in the accident.
Accident With Injuries
If you are involved in an accident involving serious or catastrophic injuries, you are required to immediately report the accident to the police, preferably by calling 911. When a police officer responds to that call, they will create a crash report while at the scene of the accident.
This is the easiest way to file a crash report, because you don’t have to do anything other than call 911. The police officer who creates the report will submit it to the FLHSMV.
Accident Without Injuries
Car accident statistics show that the vast majority of accidents don’t involve any injuries. What should you do when you are in a car accident where nobody is injured?
In this case, even if you report the accident to 911, a police officer may not arrive at the accident scene. You, however, are still obligated to file an accident report with the state. You can do this by downloading a self-report crash form from the FLHSMV website. Fill it out and submit it online or by mail.
Why Crash Reports Matter After a Florida Car Accident
Even if the law didn’t require you to file a crash report, doing so can greatly benefit you after an accident. A crash report often serves as a key piece of evidence when filing a car accident injury claim.
A crash report can help your claim because:
- The report confirms that the accident occurred and provides an official record of the event.
- It contains details such as the date, time, location, and parties involved.
- Insurance companies use it to verify your claim and check for accuracy.
- The report may include a police officer’s opinion about who was at fault.
- It can strengthen your position if you need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Having this documentation can make the claims process smoother and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
How to Get a Copy of a Florida Crash Report
Since the crash report can potentially help you with an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you and your lawyer will probably want a copy of the report. Thankfully, everyone involved in a car accident in Florida is entitled to purchase a copy from the FLHSMV.
You can obtain a crash report online, in person, or by mail. The cost for the report is $10. However, if you purchase it online, you will also be charged a $2 convenience fee. When you buy a report online, it becomes available for download immediately, and you must download it within 48 hours.
Requests can be made in person at a Florida Highway Patrol troop station or sent by mail to the FLHSMV, and they will take four to six weeks to process.
Contact the Port St. Lucie Car Accident Attorneys at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group for Help Today
A Florida crash report can be a valuable resource after a car accident. Since it is also legally mandated, the best way to take advantage of this resource is to make sure one is filed and then immediately purchase a copy. These reports can help if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group is here to help. Our Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers can help get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Florida, including Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, and Port St. Lucie.
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Vero Beach
2651 20th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 758-1966
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Port St. Lucie
10805 SW Tradition Square Unit 024A
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
(772) 677-0373
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – St. Petersburg
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 569-8155
