How to Get a Police Report for an Accident

A police report can be a vital piece of evidence after a car crash, providing support for showing what happened and who might be at fault. Although Florida’s auto insurance system is “no-fault”, there are times when you may be able to seek compensation from another driver for serious bodily injury. 

If you’re wondering how to get a police report for an accident, our Florida car accident lawyers at Chubb Law are here to help. 

How Do I Look up an Accident Report in Florida?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) maintains a Crash Portal that allows you to search for the report associated with your accident. This portal also allows you to view Florida crash data on the FLHSMV Crash Facts page. 

If the officers who responded to your accident did not file a report, you can report a crash for yourself. You must do this within 10 days after the incident. Florida requires a report for any accident that involves the following situations:

• Death or injury
• Property damage over $500
• Renders a vehicle inoperable
• Involves a hit-and-run or drunk driver

You can look up the car accident report in Florida for yourself or ask your car accident attorney to do it for you as part of their services. Crash reports are usually available within 10 days after the accident.

You Can Get a Police Report Online, in Person, or by Mail

Under Section 321.23 of the Florida Statutes, the cost to buy a Florida crash report is $10 per report. You can buy only 10 reports per transaction, and a $2 convenience fee applies to online requests. As soon as you buy the report, it’s available to you online, and you’ll receive a download link through your email that is only effective for 48 hours.

To buy a report in person, you have to complete HSMV Form 94010 (Sworn Statement for Crash Report) at the Florida Highway Patrol Troop Station that is closest to where the crash happened. You can only purchase 10 reports at a time in person, but if you need more than 10, you’ll need to request them by mail.

To request a crash report or more than 10 reports, you must mail the Sworn Statement form, along with your payment by check or money order payable to “FLHSMV,” to the following address:

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Crash Records
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Processing time by mail is 4-6 weeks.

What Information Does a Florida Police Crash Report Contain?

Here are the kinds of information you will find on a police crash report in Florida:

• Where the accident occurred
• The time and date of the crash
• Weather, road conditions, type of collision, and contributing circumstances
• The first harmful event in the crash
• Contact details for all drivers and other individuals involved
• Contact details for witnesses
• Descriptions of all vehicles and their damage
• Whether the police issued a citation to any driver
• Diagram of the accident scene
• Statement of the officer’s investigation and opinion on which driver may be at fault
• Photos of the crash scene (not always included)

You can see that this is a wealth of information and is from an authoritative source. That’s what makes it so valuable when you are negotiating for a settlement with your insurance company or if you need to file a car accident lawsuit against an at-fault driver. 

What to Do if There Are Errors in the Police Crash Report

If there is missing or incorrect information on your police report, you can request a correction by contacting the law enforcement agency that created the report. For example, if your crash occurred in Lake Mary, FL, you will get in touch with the City of Lake Mary Police Department’s Records and Support Services group. 

If Florida Highway Patrol officers responded to the scene, you’ll need to contact Troop D of the FHP, which handles Seminole County. Most agencies will make the changes for you when it comes to typos or facts, such as which side of your car suffered damage. However, they are not likely to change anything in the officer’s opinion or investigation details just because you don’t like what it says. 

To amend those sections, you will need to provide evidence supporting your requested change. If the agency won’t change any details, even factual ones, you may need to ask your Florida car accident lawyer to intervene on your behalf. 

Who Can Request a Florida Police Report for an Accident? 

To protect the privacy of those involved, Florida restricts access to crash reports to only those people who were in the crash, their attorneys, and representatives of their insurance companies. Anyone requesting a report, regardless of the method, must provide details that help law enforcement officers locate the report and verify the person’s right to receive it.

This information includes:

• Identification number for the crash
• Time, date, and location
• Case number (if you received one)
• Sworn Statement to Obtain Traffic Crash Report
• Name(s) of the responding officer(s)
• Names of those involved in the accident

Under Chapter 316 Section 066 of the 2025 Florida Statutes, anyone who discloses confidential information from a crash report without obtaining consent can be charged with a third-degree felony. Depending on the details of the disclosure and any resulting harm, those who violate this law could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. 

Why You Need a Florida Police Crash Report After Your Accident

In Florida, we use a no-fault system for paying most insurance claims. The state requires that you carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) policies. PIP pays for your personal medical costs without requiring you to prove who’s at fault, and you can request payment for your property damage from the other driver’s PDL coverage.

Even though it’s fairly easy to file your PIP or PDL claim, the insurance company will still investigate because of the high rate of fraud in Florida. According to the Insurance Research Council, as many as 31% of auto accident claims in the previous decade have been fraudulent. This means insurance adjusters are examining every detail of your claim very closely, including requesting a police crash report.

You must prepare yourself for negotiating a fair settlement with the same information, along with photos, medical records, therapist’s notes, auto repair estimates, and other evidence substantiating your compensation request. Otherwise, you could be in for a long fight to get payment for your bills. In extreme cases, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover what you deserve. 

How a Florida Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You With Your Crash Report and Other Details for Your Claim

Handling a car accident insurance claim can happen quickly, or it can turn into a lengthy distraction when you’re trying to heal from your injuries. You may have to educate yourself on confusing procedures, or you could risk saying something to the insurance company that jeopardizes your claim. Instead of facing those roadblocks, turn to a skilled car accident attorney instead.

At Chubb Law, our Florida car accident team will conduct a full investigation, collect necessary evidence, and work to increase your injury settlement whenever possible. We keep you updated on your case, obtain information such as police crash reports, and advise you when you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. What you’ll find about us is that we’re different and we’re ready to help you when you contact us to arrange a free consultation today.