How To Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale

Florida law requires responding officers to file a crash report after any car accident that involves fatality, personal injury, or property damage over $500. If another party was at fault for your car accident, the police report can offer critical details to support an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. 

Understanding how to get a police report for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale is the first step in securing compensation for your losses. A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can help. 

Three Ways to Obtain a Car Accident Report in Fort Lauderdale

Following a documented Fort Lauderdale car accident, you can request a copy of your crash report online, in person, or by mail. You will likely need to complete a notarized Sworn Statement for Crash Report with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to confirm your eligibility. A fee may also apply. 

Order An Accident Report Online

The FLHSMV maintains all traffic accident records for the state of Florida. You can request a copy of your crash report through the FLHSMV online portal. 

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office also maintains copies of accident reports submitted in the Fort Lauderdale area. You can use their Public Records Center portal to request a copy of your 

Request Your Crash Report in Person

You can apply for a copy of your police accident report from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) Records Unit in person at:

1350 West Broward Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

If your accident occurred on the highway or outside the FLPD’s jurisdiction, you may also request a copy from the nearest Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) station to the accident scene. 

Submit a Car Accident Report Request by Mail

Finally, you have the option to submit a public records request to the FLPD Records Unit at the above address. Alternatively, you can mail your request along with a signed sworn statement and payment to: 

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Crash Records

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28 

Tallahassee, FL 32399

Mail requests take longer than online or in-person requests, so plan to receive your crash report within 4-6 weeks from the date the FLHSMV receives your request.

If you have trouble accessing your crash report, a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney can submit a request on your behalf and guide you through the claim process. 

How Does a Police Report Help With My Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim?

Documented evidence is the cornerstone of a car accident insurance claim or personal injury suit. While you may know how the accident occurred, the other parties have their own version of events. Clear evidence in the form of a police report, photos, videos, and witness statements can help you establish fault and substantiate your claim for damages.

A car accident claim can help you secure financial compensation for losses caused by someone else’s negligence, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost past and future income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life. 

A personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights, gather evidence to support your claim, and represent you in negotiations.

What Is in a Fort Lauderdale Police Report for a Car Accident?

When you are in a reportable accident, the responding officer must document the details and submit an official report within ten days, per Florida Statutes § 316.066. The report may include the following information:

• Accident location, date, and time
• Vehicle descriptions
• names and contact details of all parties, including drivers and passengers
• Witness names and contact information
• Investigating officer’s name, badge number, and law enforcement agency
• Insurance information for involved parties
• The officer’s assessment of the accident
• A diagram or drawing of the accident
• The officer’s fault determination

The officer may also take statements from individuals involved in the accident, but these statements are not admissible as evidence in a personal injury trial. Even if the crash report cannot be submitted as evidence, your attorney can use the information contained in the report to obtain crash details, witness statements, and testimony from the responding officer. 

Who Can Submit a Request for a Police Report for a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

Florida statutes strictly limit who can obtain a crash report within the first 60 days following the accident. Only the following individuals can submit a request:

• People involved in the crash
• Legal representatives of involved parties
• Insurance representatives and underwriters for involved parties
• Law enforcement agencies
• Victim services programs
• Federal, state, or local government agency

Some members of the media may access reports with personal details redacted for legal reporting purposes. After 60 days, crash reports become accessible to the public, although certain details may still be withheld to protect the privacy of the involved parties.

A Lawyer Can Request a Police Report for a Fort Lauderdale Car Crash

You can request a police report on your own, but the process may go more smoothly if you enlist the help of a car accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale. A car accident lawyer will have experience requesting documentation. They will know how to glean the necessary information from the report to support your claim, and they will know which parts of the report cannot be submitted as evidence.

With an attorney handling the evidence-gathering, phone calls, and negotiations with insurance companies and opposing counsel, you can focus on recovering your health and well-being.

Partner With a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one suffered injuries or property damage in a car accident, the dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can help. 

Our legal team has successfully recovered millions in settlements and verdicts on behalf of personal injury clients in Fort Lauderdale and across Florida. Allow us to provide the legal guidance and support you need during this difficult time. 

Contact our office today to arrange a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale. We can review your case and explain how to get a police report for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale. If we decide to take your case, we will handle the police report request and other evidence-gathering activities so you can take the time you need to heal from your injuries.