Personal Injury Lawyers
| Plantation, FL

Reading Your Florida Car Accident Report

After a crash, the police accident report can serve as a critical piece of evidence

If you are in a car accident in Plantation, Broward County, or anywhere in Florida, it’s important to call the police to the scene. They can make sure everyone is safe and get help for the injured. The responding officers will also conduct an initial investigation of the accident and complete an accident report – officially called the Florida Traffic Crash Report.

The accident report is crucial because it serves as an official record of the crash. It is used for insurance claims and determining liability. The report includes vital information that can impact the outcome of your claim for compensation. A Plantation car accident attorney from Feingold Posner Draizin can review this report and discuss what it means for your case.

How to get a copy of your Florida Traffic Crash report

It’s a good idea to get a copy of this report as soon as possible. It should be available within 10 days of the accident. You can visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site to order a copy online, by mail, or in person. There is a fee.

Once you get your copy, carefully read through the report to ensure that all the information is correct, including the accident’s date, time, and location. Make sure the report accurately reflects the events as you remember them, including the sequence of events leading up to the accident, the description of damages, and any statements you made to the police.

If you spot any inaccuracies or omissions, such as incorrect vehicle information, misstated facts, or missing witness statements, write them down. Then, talk to a car accident attorney. We can help you set the record straight.

Insurance companies will be looking at your report, too

The accident report is a crucial document in the claims process because it contains an official account of the incident, including details about the crash, the parties involved, and the circumstances leading up to the accident. That’s why adjusters will get a copy and read through it carefully.

Insurance companies will use the information in the report to determine who was at fault for the accident, ensure consistency and accuracy with claims, evaluate damages and injuries, and identify contributing factors.

The details in the accident report can influence the insurance company’s decisions on whether to approve, deny, or negotiate the settlement of a claim. A well-documented report that clearly assigns fault may lead to quicker settlements, while unclear or contested reports might result in delays and disputes.

Our attorneys can help you recover financial compensation

We know how insurance companies approach car accident cases and use information in accident reports to evaluate claims. That’s because all of our attorneys used to represent insurance companies. Now, we put our experience to work for the injured to ensure they are treated fairly.

One of our lawyers can review your accident report with you and discuss how it could affect your claim. We’ll discuss your legal options for recovering financial compensation and answer any questions you have about the legal process. If we represent you, there are no fees or upfront charges. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

If you were injured in a car accident in Plantation or anywhere in Broward County, learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. There’s no cost and no obligation. We just want you to have the information you need to help you decide your next move.

Reading Your Report

Florida Accident Report with instructions pg. 1

Page 1

This page contains basic information about the accident. This includes:

  • The date, time, and location of the crash.
  • Information about road conditions, light conditions, weather, work zones, and other factors.
  • Information about harmful events that contributed to the accident.
  • The names and contact information for any witnesses.  
  • Any damage to non-vehicle property.
Florida Accident Report with instructions pg. 2

Page 2

This page contains a narrative of the accident. This is where the investigating officer will provide a detailed written account of how they believe the crash occurred. It often includes:  

  • A step-by-step description of what happened.
  • Summaries of what witnesses observed.
  • The officer’s observations about the accident scene, vehicle damage, and other relevant information.
  • Factors that may have contributed to the crash.  

There is also space to list any additional passengers or violations. The reporting officer’s name and badge number will appear at the bottom of the page.

Florida Accident Report with instructions pg. 3

Page 3

This page contains a diagram of the accident scene. This visual representation helps to illustrate the positions of vehicles, pedestrians, and objects involved in the crash before, during, and after the collision.

Florida Accident Report with instructions pg. 4

Page 4

This page focuses on the vehicles involved and the factors contributing to the crash. This includes information about:

  • The make, model, owner, and license plate number of the vehicles.
  • Any commercial vehicles that were involved.
  • Insurance coverage.
  • The sequence of events leading to the accident.
  • Any vehicle defects that may have contributed to the crash.
  • Traffic citations for violations committed by anyone involved. 
Florida Accident Report with instructions pg. 5

Page 5

This page will include information about:

  • The people involved in the crash (including name, contact information, and driver’s license number).
  • Driver actions at the time of the crash.
  • The use of safety devices (such as seatbelts and air bags).
  • Non-motorists who were involved in the accident.
  • Alcohol or drug use by any of the drivers.
  • Whether anyone was transferred to a medical facility.
  • Additional passengers.

Click here to download a printable PDF of these instructions.

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