Information on Florida Traffic Crash Reports

Bill Allen | August 16, 2024 | Car Accidents

Information on Florida Traffic Crash Reports

If you were recently in a motor vehicle accident, the law enforcement officer who responded to the scene completed a Florida traffic crash report. Learn what details this document contains and how you can order a copy.

When a Florida Crash Report Is Required

Florida law mandates that drivers report a traffic crash when at least one of the following occurs:

  • Someone dies
  • Someone is injured or complains of pain or discomfort
  • Property damage happens and totals $500 or more
  • A driver flees the scene (hit-and-run)
  • A driver is driving under the influence (DUI)
  • A vehicle is inoperable — a wrecker has to remove it from the crash scene
  • A commercial motor vehicle is involved

If one of these conditions is met and law enforcement is notified, the responding officer fills out a crash report at the scene. The officer completes a long-form report. The short form is for crashes with no bodily harm and with property damage under $500.

What’s in the Crash Report?

A Florida crash report is a comprehensive accounting of a motor vehicle crash. Very few details are left out. 

The following information is typically included:

  • Date and time of the crash
  • Location of the crash
  • Description of the vehicles
  • Names and addresses of the drivers and passengers
  • Names and addresses of witnesses
  • Name and badge number of the responding police officer
  • Names of the drivers’ insurance companies

The report contains a significant amount of information about the roadway — the type of roadway, the roadway grade (level, downhill, or uphill), the type of shoulder, and a description of the intersection (if it occurred at one). It also details the weather, light, and road surface conditions.

A crash report also describes the vehicles involved (e.g., year, make, length, body type, and axles) and records the license plate numbers, vehicle registration data, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of each vehicle. 

The officer will also include any vehicle defects that may have contributed to the accident, such as with the brakes or suspension. They note the direction and speed the cars were traveling, the posted speed at that location, the area of initial impact, and the car with the most damage. They might include a diagram identifying all the sections of the vehicle that sustained damage and another diagram of the accident scene.

One section assesses the driver(s) behavior and condition (e.g., alcohol use, emotional state, distracted driving, or visual obstructions) to gauge what role they may have had in the accident. 

The following are a few examples of driving behavior descriptors:

  • Failed to yield
  • Ran a stop sign
  • Exceeded the posted speed limit
  • Over-corrected
  • Drove aggressively

The report provides information on the injured and the injuries. It gives their names, how they were transported to a medical center for treatment, and the extent of the injuries.

How To Order Your Florida Crash Report

If you have not already obtained your crash report, you can order a copy online via the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida Crash Portal. It costs $10 plus a $2.00 convenience fee. You can also order a report by mail. It can take at least ten days from the crash date before the report is available. In fact, the investigating officer has up to ten days to submit it.If you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash, don’t delay in ordering your report. It will be a key piece of evidence as you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.

Contact Our Ocala Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652