Florida Online Traffic Crash Reports
Obtaining a copy of the crash report is essential if you have been injured in a Florida car accident. This report contains crucial information that details the specifics of the accident and can be used to support your injury claim. Our experienced Orlando car accident attorneys at Spetsas Buist can help you obtain the crash report online and fight to ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Steps for Purchasing a Crash Report Online After an Accident in Florida
When a traffic accident occurs in Florida, obtaining a crash report to document the incident and ensure that all relevant parties have access to the necessary information is crucial. To purchase a crash report online in Florida, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Website
The FLHSMV website serves as the primary portal for obtaining crash reports. Users should navigate to the Crash Report Portal to find information on purchasing reports and access the necessary forms.
Step 2: Confirm Eligibility
Before purchasing a crash report, verifying if you are eligible to access the report is essential. Reports are not made available to the public. There are only specific parties that have a right to obtain a crash report, such as the following:
- Parties directly involved in the accident
- Legal representatives of the party involved in the crash
- Insurance companies
- Law enforcement agencies
- Local, state, and federal agencies
- FCC-licensed radio or television stations
- Third party acting on behalf of the party involved in the crash
To obtain your crash report, you will need to select an option that describes you. Most likely, you’ll want to choose Parties Involved in the Crash. There’s another section below that titled Driver Privacy Protection Act. However, if you’re requesting for yourself, the portal should allow you to proceed without selecting one of those options. Finally, you’ll need to enter the Proof of Eligibility, which includes:
- State that issued your driver’s license; and
- Your driver’s license/ID card number.
Step 3: Verify Your Crash
In the next section, you can look up the crash report based on:
- The report number (if you have it);
- The VIN number of the vehicle; or
- Your last name.
The most basic way (and probably easiest way) is to look up the report by last name. This will take you to the next screen for Crash Report Search. Here, you’ll enter the following information:
- Your last name (or the last name of the driver as it would be listed in the crash report);
- The date of the crash (you can opt for plus/minus 3 days if you’re not sure of the exact date); and
- The county where the crash occurred and where the report would have been made.
Step 4: Select Your Crash
Once you find the proper crash, the portal will guide you to another screen where you can select your crash report. Then, you can select Add to Cart, and then you’ll be taken to another screen where you can select View Cart. Finally, you can enter your email address, if prompted for it, and pay for the report.
Step 5: Pay the Applicable Fee
To obtain the crash report, users will need to pay a fee. The fee for a crash report is $10.00 per report. Credit cards are the accepted payment method for online transactions, but generally you'll have to pay an additional $2.00 convenience fee.
Step 6: Download the Crash Report
Once the payment is processed, you can download the crash report online. Reports are immediately available and must be downloaded within 48 hours of your request. You will be emailed a link to download the report.
Contact a Lawyer at Our Office for Help Getting an Online Traffic Report
An experienced Orlando car accident lawyer at Spetsas Buist can help you protect your rights and compensation. A lawyer at our office can ensure the crash is reported correctly and assist you in obtaining a copy of the crash report. We can use the crash report as valuable evidence to support your claim and prove liability.
If you were injured in an auto accident in Orlando, don't hesitate to reach out to our law firm at 321-LAWSUIT for a free consultation. When you work with our firm, you don't pay any upfront costs of retainer fees. Representation is free unless we win money for you.
We've handled all types of car accident cases across Florida, and we know how to get proper compensation for you. Call us when you need us.