How Do You Create a Motor Vehicle Accident Report?
A motor vehicle accident report comprises all the information that led up to a crash, who was involved, and the aftermath. With that, take time to write down all the facts and gather the other party’s contact and insurance information. From there, you can record these details in the Driver Report of Traffic Crash.
Not only will the report serve as evidence for your case, but you may also face penalties if the crash goes unreported, especially if someone was hurt or died or there was more than a certain amount of property damage. You have ten days to file the report, per Florida Statutes § 316.066.
What to Include in a Motor Vehicle Accident Report
If you called the police to the accident scene, they should fill out the report there. Sometimes, they’re not able to do it, though, so it may be better to write one up yourself.
You want your motor vehicle accident attorney report to be as detailed as possible. It might all seem overwhelming at first, so start with the basics, like:
- The date, time, and location of the motor vehicle accident
- Weather and road conditions
- The other driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details
- Identities of any passengers
- Witnesses’ names and contact information
- Information of all involved vehicles (e.g., make, model, license plate number, state, and color)
Telling the Chronological Story
Then, tell a story of how the crash occurred. Remain objective, and don’t point fingers. Simply state what you were doing leading up to the accident and what you remember happening in a chronological fashion. To make it easier, ask yourself these questions:
- What speed were you traveling?
- Were you stopped?
- Where did the other car hit you?
- Was anybody injured? If so, who were they?
- Was anyone taken to the hospital?
- Were the cars drivable after the accident?
- Did you pull over to the side of the road?
- Did anyone call 911 or the police? How long did it take for them to arrive?
Make sure you include witness statements, too. If you didn’t have time to take down their information, don’t worry. If you think of any other important information, add it to the report. If you took photos of the scene, like the damaged vehicles, the road, or your injuries, attach them to the report. They will help the police, state, attorneys, and insurance companies paint a clearer picture of what took place.
After You’ve 
the Motor Vehicle Accident Report
After you’ve filled out the report, you can email it to SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov. Make the subject line “Driver Self Report Traffic Crash.”
You could also mail it to:
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Crash Records
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Hold onto a copy of your own so you can have it for your own records and case.
Various Forms of Evidence Can Help With Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case
The Fort Myers motor vehicle accident Lawyer report is a great building block when you’re developing your case against the at-fault party, as it contains so much of the basic information regarding what happened. However, that doesn’t mean it’s all you need to make a compelling case. The more evidence you gather and present, the better.
Other forms of evidence you may want to include in your motor vehicle accident claim are:
- Medical bills and records
- Traffic citations
- Photographs
- Video footage
- Expert testimony
- Accident reconstruction analysis
Some of the items in this list can be difficult to access on your own, but if you hire a car accident lawyer to represent you, they can hunt it down for you.
How a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney May Assist You
If you hire a . Injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale to take on your Florida motor vehicle accident case, you can expect them to assume the following tasks:
- Writing and/or obtaining a copy of the official motor vehicle accident report
- Compiling different pieces of evidence to build a strong case
- Taking statements from eyewitnesses
- Quantifying your financial and intangible damages
- Keeping in touch with involved parties
- Determining whose negligence triggered the collision
- Fighting for a fair settlement
- Complying with all state deadlines
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
Your attorney can provide you with all of these services on a contingency-fee basis. That way, you won’t take any financial risks since they won’t charge you up front or by the hour for taking your case. They only receive their attorney’s fees if they settle your case.
Talk to Our Firm About Your Florida Motor Vehicle Accident Today
If you need help writing a motor vehicle accident report or building a case after suffering injuries in a crash, the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is here to serve you. Reach out to Contact us at (954) 633-8270 today to begin a free case review.
