After a collision, you need to call 911. The operator will take your information, and a responding officer will arrive to render aid and generate a police report. Police accident reports contain information on the drivers involved, the insurance companies, where the accident occurred, the conditions, the officer’s observations on the cause, and whether any citations were issued.
The information contained in their report will be very important when it comes time for you to file a claim, but how do you get a Fort Lauderdale accident report? Furthermore, you could be dealing with one of three possible law enforcement agencies, depending on where the accident took place: the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD), the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), or the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
In this article, our Fort Lauderdale car crash lawyers explain how you can obtain your Fort Lauderdale crash report and why it matters to your recovery.
What to Know When Obtaining Your Fort Lauderdale Accident Report
It may seem straightforward that an accident in Fort Lauderdale is handled by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, but it’s not necessarily that simple. If you are in an accident on I-95, that would fall under the jurisdiction of the Florida Highway Patrol, whereas an accident in an unincorporated area could be managed by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Each agency maintains its own records and will file its accident reports to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which can be accessed via the Florida Crash Portal, but obtaining a police report through that portal could take time. Your best bet for obtaining a police report is contacting the police agency that investigated the crash directly.
When the responding officer arrives, you should request the officer’s name, what department they are with, and the case number for your accident.
Getting a Fort Lauderdale Police Accident Report
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will investigate accidents within the city limits, such as accidents along Broward Blvd, Andrews Ave, and A1A. You can obtain a copy of the report in person, by mail, or online:
Address: Records Division
1515 W Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Hours: Monday through Friday, 800am to 600pm
Phone: 954.828.5461
Email: Pu***********@**pd.gov
Online: Fort Lauderdale Records Request Portal
You will typically need to know the following information to get a copy:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names of drivers involved
- Case number, if available
- Valid identification
Copies typically cost $.15 per page, and it typically takes five to ten business days for the report to be available.
Getting a Broward County Sheriff’s Office Crash Report
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office would respond to unincorporated areas like Broadview Park, Washington Park, and Roosevelt Gardens. Just like the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, you will need to know the basic information about your accident when requesting a copy of the Broward County crash report.
You can visit the local BSO station to obtain a copy, but it is recommended to use their online portal. However, you can still obtain a copy of the report by phone or in writing:
Mailing: Broward Sheriff’s Office
Public Records Unit
Attention: Erin Foley, RMLO
P.O. Box 9507
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 830am to 400pm
Phone: 954-831-8700
Copies can run up to $12 or more ($10 for the report and a $2 convenience fee per transaction). They only accept checks or money orders, and they cannot process credit or debit cards.
Getting a Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Accident Report
The Florida Highway Patrol would respond to car accidents along I-95, I-595, and the Florida Turnpike (SR 91). Using proper identification, you can get a Florida traffic crash report in person from the station near the accident. However, they recommend using the Florida Crash Portal to obtain a copy of the report. The report costs are regulated by state law, so it too would be roughly $10 per report plus the $2.00 convenience fee.
If you have been in a car accident and have questions regarding how to get an accident report in Fort Lauderdale or the strength of your personal injury claim, our law office may be able to help.
Who Is Allowed to Get a Police Accident Report in Florida?
In addition to the information required in any police report, Florida Statute § 316.066 also makes all traffic accident reports confidential for the first 60 days. Only certain individuals may have access to these reports, such as:
- Drivers involved
- Vehicle owners
- Attorneys
- Insurance companies
Why Your Fort Lauderdale Accident Report Matters
Your Fort Lauderdale accident report plays a critical role in resolving your insurance claim. Not only does it provide the necessary information for filing the claim, but it also aids your attorney in proving fault and liability. Our attorneys will use the initial information gathered to support your personal injury claim, augmenting it with the evidence we gather from our investigation, such as:
- Medical records
- Photos and videos
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
What to Do If There’s an Error on the Police Report
Sometimes, the police make mistakes. Some of the common errors in a police report include:
- Incorrect location
- Wrong driver or vehicle information
- Inaccurate insurance details
- Errors in the crash diagram
- Incorrect statements
- Missing or incorrect injury details
These are usually clerical errors, and you can contact the officer to have these corrected.
Get Help Obtaining Your Fort Lauderdale Accident Report
Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (844) 643-7200 if you have been in a car accident. We can step in and obtain the police report for your accident and build a claim for your recovery. The initial consultation is always free.