How to Get an Accident Report in Hollywood, FL

You must submit a request through the police department’s online portal to get an accident report in Hollywood, Florida. You could use this report in several ways if you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. A Hollywood car accident lawyer can represent you, with this report proving invaluable in the early stages of your case. 

Hollywood Police Only Accepts Online Requests for Accident Reports

Traffic accidents can be disorientating events that lead to traumatic injuries, emotional distress, and steep financial costs. Because of the high stakes in these accidents, the police will respond to the scene of serious collisions. After completing their investigation, they will submit a written report about your accident. 

While other jurisdictions might provide you with options, the Hollywood, FL, police department requires interested parties to request an accident report online. There is no option for appearing in person at a police station or requesting these documents by mail to get a police report. 

Instead, you must submit a police department records request through the city’s online portal. You must create an account, which also allows you to check the status of your request. Reports become public after 60 days, but you could obtain one sooner by filling out a sworn statement that you were involved in the accident. 

You Can Obtain a Copy From the State

In addition to going through the city, you may request a digital copy of the report from the state. For a $12 fee, the Florida Crash Portal offers PDF versions of accident reports within 10 days of the crash. 

What Does a Car Accident Report Include?

You might be surprised by the details and information found in an accident report. These documents provide not only the most detail possible but also a standardized format that ensures the officer doesn’t omit critical information. Some of the details included in these reports are:

• The date, time, and location of the crash
• A description of each vehicle, including make and model
• An overhead diagram of the accident showing where the cars came to rest
• Name and contact information for all parties
• Contact information for any witnesses at the scene
• The investigating officer’s name, badge number, and agency
• Insurance information for all drivers
• A narrative assessment of the crash

Often, the police will describe their opinion of how the crash occurred and who was at fault. The narrative might outline contributing factors the officer noticed, like evidence of running a stop sign. This section of the report could also rely on statements from witnesses or even admissions by the drivers to reach a conclusion. 

Check Your Hollywood, FL Accident Report For Accuracy

You must check the report for accuracy as soon as you receive it. Police officers are human, and humans make mistakes. These errors might be relatively minor, like a misspelling or transposed letter. However, they can also be more significant, like getting the factual details incorrect. 

First, ensure the essential details about the parties are correct. It should have your name and information on the vehicle you drove. Unfortunately, police reports often mistakenly connect drivers with the wrong vehicle, which can complicate the process of determining who was at fault. Other things to watch for include:

• Incorrect date or time
• Wrong or missing accident location
• Missing weather conditions
• Inaccuracies about contributing factors
• Lack of witness information

One of the most important things you can do when reviewing a police report is to ensure it notes any injuries or damage to your vehicle. With this information, settling with the insurance company can be easier. 

How Do Those Reports Affect a Personal Injury Case?

These reports can have an impact on the outcome of your personal injury case. While they generally cannot be used at trial as evidence, they often play a significant role in negotiations with insurance companies. 

Early in the process, the insurance company typically relies on the facts laid out in the report when deciding whether to cover a collision. The officer’s opinion regarding liability carries weight in these negotiations, given that they are neutral third parties. 

When reports indicate there were witnesses to the collision, this document can provide contact information for those people. Reaching out to a witness and getting their side of the story is vital, as their testimony can have a significant impact at trial. 

When Is It Necessary for Police to Take an Accident Report in Hollywood, FL?

Law enforcement is not obligated to appear at every accident scene within the limits of Hollywood. There are specific circumstances that require the police not only to appear at the crash scene but also to take an accident report:

• The accident involved death or bodily injuries
• The accident involved at least one commercial vehicle
• The vehicle’s damage left it inoperable, and it must be removed
• A party left the scene of the crash without providing their information or rendering aid

Under any of these scenarios, a police report should be a matter of record within days of the crash. Practically speaking, there will be a report for virtually any collision that involves noticeable damage to one or more vehicles. 

Talk to Our Attorneys After an Accident in Hollywood

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, requesting a copy of your police report is a critical step toward pursuing justice through a personal injury lawsuit. It can give your attorney a strong starting point for building a winning case, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. 

The support of legal counsel can be invaluable during every phase of a personal injury case. At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we will work tirelessly to help you pursue the outcome you deserve. Please do not put your case at risk by handling it alone. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.