How to Get Your Florida Car Accident Report Online

If you’ve been in an accident in Florida – getting a copy of the Florida car accident police report online is the easiest way to move forward with a claim or investigation. While there are multiple ways to obtain a report, online is the fastest, and gives you access to a file you can print, email, upload to your insurance company, etc.

We’ll show you a variety of ways you can get your Florida accident report – and you can choose which method is the best for you.

Why Should You Get a Florida Accident Report?

There are a few reasons you might need a copy of your Florida car accident report. You might need it for your claim, legal filling, peace of mind or insurance purposes. Here are some

Legal reasons:

• Required by law: If the accident involved any injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500, Florida law requires filing a report with law enforcement. Failing to do so could result in penalties.
• Evidence for claims: If you were injured or your property was damaged, the accident report serves as important evidence for insurance claims or potential lawsuits. It details the incident, including witness statements, diagrams, and officer observations, strengthening your case.
• Fault determination: The report often assigns fault based on traffic violations or other observed factors. This can be crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

Other important reasons:

• Record keeping: The report provides a comprehensive record of the accident, including date, time, location, and parties involved. This information can be valuable for personal documentation and future reference.
• Peace of mind: Having an official record of the accident can offer peace of mind, especially if there are any uncertainties or disputes regarding the incident.
• Insurance purposes: Even for minor accidents not legally requiring a report, obtaining one can be helpful for filing insurance claims and ensuring accuracy in documentation.

How to Get a Florida Accident Report Online

To purchase the official Florida crash report online after your car accident you can use the following simple steps:

• Website: Use the Florida Crash Portal: https://www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/
  • You’ll need accident details, and you’ll need to complete the eligibility form to see if you can obtain a copy within 60-days of the accident. In Florida, you must meet specific criteria to obtain an accident report within 60 days.
    • Parties involved in the crash
    • Legal Representatives of a party involved in the crash
    • Licensed insurance agent of a party involved in the crash
    • Insurers of parties involved in the crash or insurers to which they have applied for coverage
    • Person under contract to provide claims or underwriting information to a qualifying insurance company
    • Radio or television station licensed by the FCC
    • Newspaper qualified to publish legal notices under sections 50.011 and 50.031, Florida Statutes
    • Any local, state, or federal agency that is legally authorized to have access to crash reports
    • A victim services program, as defined in section 316.003(107), Florida Statutes
    • Any private person or entity acting on behalf of a federal, state, or local governmental agency in carrying out its functions but not for redistribution to any person or entity not listed in F.S. 316.066 2(b).
    • Any third party acting on behalf of a person or entity authorized under F.S. 316.066(2)(b). Third party may disclose the crash report only to the person or entity authorized to access the report.
  • You’ll need to choose one of these options and then swear or affirm that the information contained in a crash report made confidential and exempt by the statute will not be used for any commercial solicitation of crash victims, or knowingly be disclosed to any third party for such solicitation.
  • Cost: $10 per report, plus a $2 convenience fee per transaction.
  • Requirements: You’ll need the date and location of the accident. The report number is helpful as well
  • Availability: Reports are available immediately after purchase and can be downloaded within 48 hours.

If the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene, here’s how to get your FHP accident report online.

How to Get a Florida Accident Report by Mail

As with the online version – getting a copy of a Florida Accident Report by mail is predicated on completing the signed statement and having it notarized. You can then mail it to the records department of the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and wait for a return letter. It can take 4-6 weeks to process your request and mail your report back. Checks should be made out to FLHSMV and the cost is $12 per report.

Mail the statement and payment to:

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Crash Records

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28

Tallahassee, FL 32399

How to Get a Florida Accident Report by Phone

You cannot obtain an accident report in Florida via telephone. Anyone requesting a crash report in Florida must complete a sworn statement and have it notarized – or complete the sworn statement online prior to obtaining your accident report from the FLHSMV. We recommend getting your report in person or via the online State of Florida crash portal website.

How to Get a Florida Accident Report in Person

If you need to get your Florida accident report and do not have the means to obtain it online, or cannot wait for the mail in service – you can go to the nearest Florida Highway Patrol Troop Station and request a copy in person. You’ll need to have the signed statement notarized before you go, and you’ll have to show ID and provide payment to obtain your copy of the report.

Florida Crash Report FAQs

What if You Can’t Find Your Accident Report in the Florida Crash Portal?

If you cannot find your wreck report in the portal, it may not be ready yet. While most jurisdictions have reports uploaded within 3 business days – they have up to 10 days to submit accident information – so your report just may not be ready yet.

If you need a copy, and it’s not available, you can try contacting the police department, highway patrol, or sheriff’s department where the accident occurred and asking them to confirm it is in progress. They may be able to expedite submission if there is a good reason you need a copy right away. Consult our guides on getting a Marion County, FL accident report, Ocala, FL police report, Lady Lake police report, and Sumter County accident report.

If there is no record of your accident, it’s likely you will need to self report it. Generally this is the case if no law enforcement shows up at the scene, there are no injuries, minimal damage, or it happens on private property. The deadline for self-reporting a car accident in Florida is 10 days. Consult our guide on how to file a police report in Florida for more information.

When Can You Get the Florida Accident Report?

As stated above – Florida accident reports are available within 10 days of reporting.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Florida Accident Report?

Reports through the Florida Crash Portal are $12 apiece. If you go in person or mail in your request- you can pay via money order or check made out to FLHSMV. If you purchase your report online, you’ll be able to pay with any major credit card.

How Long Does It Take To Get the Florida Accident Report?

It can take up to 10 days for your accident report to be uploaded to the Florida Crash Portal. If you request your report online or in person, as long as you have the correct paperwork and are approved to receive the report, you can get it that day. If you mail in your request, it can take 4–6 weeks.

What Documentation Is Required to Get the Florida Accident Report?

You’ll need your government issued ID and a signed statement that has been notarized to obtain a copy of your accident report. To look up your report, you’ll need the incident date, where it happened, the names of involved parties, and the report number from the reporting law enforcement agency if you have it.

What Does the Florida Accident Report Include?

Florida car accident reports can include a variety of information, depending on the severity of the accident and whether it was investigated by a law enforcement officer. Here’s a general overview of what you might find:

Basic Information:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Description of the vehicles involved, including their make, model, and license plate numbers
• Names and contact information of the drivers and passengers involved
• Description of the weather and road conditions

Details of the Accident:

• Narrative of the events leading up to and during the accident
• Diagram of the crash scene
• Cause of the accident, as determined by the investigating officer
• Description of any property damage or injuries sustained
• Witness statements, if available

Additional Information:

• Insurance information for all parties involved
• Information about any citations issued
• Investigation notes from the responding officer
• It’s important to note that some information may be redacted from the report, such as driver’s license numbers or Social Security numbers. Additionally, not all accidents require a police report, so some of this information may not be available for minor crashes.