After getting involved in a traffic accident, you need to check yourself for injuries and call the authorities. You might feel apprehensive about calling the police for a minor collision, but some circumstances require them to make a crash report.
Failing to call authorities for a reportable accident in Florida can result in a noncriminal traffic infraction. You must report an accident if it meets any of the following conditions:
- It caused physical harm
- It caused death
- It was a hit and run
- It was a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) crash
- You had to call in a wrecker to move the vehicle
- It involved a commercial vehicle
- It resulted in damages worth at least $500
In some instances, involved drivers can create a crash report online. You can do this for minor collisions that caused property damage excluded from these qualifications.
Do I need a copy of the crash report?
In Florida, you may need a copy of the report if you plan to file a claim for your injuries or property damage. This document indicates the injuries you sustained and the damages to your car. It could help determine a dollar amount for your damages.
Fortunately, you can quickly request a copy in Florida for around $12. You can also choose to receive it online or by mail. You will also need a crash report copy once you receive the final judgment regarding your claim.
Thirty days after the judgment date, you need to send the report with the certified judgment to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Florida office so that they can enforce the judge’s decision.