You can request an accident report in Florida online through the state’s crash portal, in person from the investigating agency, or by mail. Reports are typically available within 10 days and cost $10. If no officer responded to the scene, you may need to self-report using a state-provided form.
Who Files the Report and Where It Goes
When law enforcement responds to a crash in Florida, the officer is responsible for writing the report. The agency depends on where the crash took place. On state highways or interstates, it’s usually the Florida Highway Patrol. Inside city limits, it’s typically the local police department. In unincorporated areas, the sheriff’s office may take the lead.
Once completed, the report is sent to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. That agency maintains the official crash records database for the state.
Using the Florida Crash Portal to Get Your Report
The fastest way to retrieve a Florida accident report is through the FLHSMV’s online crash portal. The portal lets you search for reports filed by various law enforcement agencies across the state.
To find your report, you’ll need one or more of the following:
- The report number or case number
- The crash date and location
- The last name of a driver or vehicle owner involved
Online reports are typically available within 10 days of the crash. Once the report has been uploaded, you can pay the $10 fee (plus a $2 convenience charge) and download the report as a ZIP file. That file includes a PDF of the report and expires 48 hours after the link is sent, so it’s best to save it immediately.
The portal won’t show results if the report hasn’t been submitted yet. If your crash occurred recently, wait a few days and try again.
Getting the Report From the Police or FHP Instead of the Portal
If you know which law enforcement agency handled the crash, requesting the report in person may be easier—especially if you have limited information or technical issues with the online system.
Bring a photo ID and as much detail about the crash as you can. That includes the report number (if you were given one), the names of the people involved, and the date and location of the crash. Records departments typically accept cash, credit cards, or checks. In most cases, the fee is the same $10 set by state law, though some departments charge less.
If the report is still under the 60-day access restriction, you’ll be asked to complete a sworn statement affirming that you’re legally entitled to request the report.
Requesting a Report by Mail
If you prefer to handle things by mail or need several reports at once, you can send a written request to either the state or the investigating agency.
For state-level requests, mail your documents to:
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Crash Records – MS 28
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399
You’ll need to include:
- The sworn statement form (HSMV 94010) if the report is still restricted
- The date and location of the crash
- Names of those involved
- Payment by check or money order (no cash)
Mailed reports from the state office can take several weeks to process. If time is a factor, check with the local agency instead. Some police departments accept mailed requests and may respond more quickly.
How to Self-Report a Crash in Florida
Some crashes don’t require an officer to respond. Florida law allows drivers to self-report if there are no injuries, no fatalities, no DUIs, no commercial vehicles, and property damage appears to be under $500.
In those cases, the state provides a form called the Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self Report). You can download the form from the FLHSMV website, fill it out, and submit it by email or mail.
The form asks for basic information:
- Who was involved
- Where and when the crash happened
- What damage occurred
- What each driver was doing at the time
Once completed, send it by email to SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov or mail it to the address listed on the form. There’s no fee to file a self-report.
Keep in mind: even if the crash seems minor, your insurance company may require a report on file. Filing the form helps establish that you met your legal obligations and may help support your claim.
What to Gather Before Submitting Your Request
Before you start the request process, make sure you have the right information:
- The crash date and location
- Names of the drivers or vehicle owners
- The report number, if it was provided
- A copy of your ID
- The completed sworn statement form, if applicable
- Payment method (credit card for online, check or money order for mail, or cash/card in person)
Having these ready will help prevent delays and reduce the chances of receiving the wrong report.
Who Can Access a Report Within the First 60 Days
Florida limits access to crash reports during the first 60 days after they’re filed, in part to protect the privacy of the people named in them.
During that time, only certain people and entities can request the report:
- Drivers, passengers, or owners named in the report
- Attorneys representing someone involved
- Insurance agents or insurance companies connected to the crash
- Government agencies involved in safety, licensing, or investigations
- Certified media outlets (with redacted contact information)
If you fall into one of these categories, you’ll need to sign a sworn statement confirming your eligibility. Requesting a report without the proper authority during the restricted period is a felony under Florida law.
After 60 days, the report becomes a public record. Even then, some personal details may be redacted to comply with privacy laws.
How Long It Takes to Get a Florida Accident Report
In most cases, the report is ready 3 to 10 days after the crash. Officers have up to 10 days to file, and sometimes delays happen due to review or internal processing.
If you don’t see the report online after a week, contact the agency that handled the crash. They may be able to confirm whether it has been filed or provide you with the case number.
For mailed requests, give it at least 4 to 6 weeks, especially if you’re requesting from the state office.
What It Costs
The fee to get a Florida crash report is $10. Online requests include an additional $2 convenience charge per transaction. That means one report costs $12; two reports in the same order would cost $22.
In-person fees usually match the $10 amount, though some local agencies charge less. Payment methods vary by location. Some accept credit or debit cards, while others may require cash or checks.
Mailed requests require a check or money order made out to FLHSMV or the agency you’re writing to. Don’t send cash.
What Your Crash Report Reveals and Why Insurers and Attorneys Use It
Insurance Companies Start With What the Report Says
After a crash, the first thing most insurance adjusters want is the police report. Not because it tells them everything—but because it frames the basics. Who was involved. What the officer saw. Whether anyone was cited. If you’re filing a claim for vehicle damage or medical bills, your insurer will likely ask for it right away. The other driver’s insurer will too.
The Report Doesn’t Decide Fault, But It Guides the Conversation
Crash reports aren’t final rulings. But they do shape how insurance companies respond. If the officer wrote that one driver ran a red light or was cited for careless driving, that detail can steer how the claim is evaluated. It won’t be the only factor, but it’s often where the negotiation begins.
For Lawyers, It’s a Roadmap Not Evidence
You can’t use a police report as evidence at trial in Florida, but that doesn’t make it irrelevant. Attorneys review these reports to understand how the scene was documented. Who might be a witness. What kind of impact occurred. Whether there’s a diagram that backs up your version of events—or raises questions that need answers.
Sometimes the Report Hurts You. That Doesn’t Mean You’re Out of Options
If the report leans against you, don’t panic. It’s not the final word. But it is a signal. A warning about how the case might be viewed. If you haven’t seen it yet, get a copy. Any attorney you speak with will want to see it early—because a strong strategy depends on knowing what’s already in the record.
If You Need Help Getting an Accident Report in Florida After a Crash
If you need help getting an accident report in Florida after a crash, call the Florida car accident attorneys at Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel at (561) 655-2028. We can walk you through what to do and help make sure your next steps are handled the right way.
