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CaseClosedFL · Accident guide

Reporting a Car Accident in Florida: Rules and Deadlines

Florida law decides when a crash must be reported, who files, and by when. See the 10-day rule, report costs and the steps to take after a collision.

Florida requires a driver to notify law enforcement right away after a crash that involves an injury, a death, or significant apparent damage. When police do not investigate and a written report is still required, the driver must submit it to the state within 10 days. The rules come from sections 316.065 and 316.066 of the Florida Statutes. This guide explains which crashes count, who files what, how to get a copy of the report, and how reporting connects to insurance and injury claims.

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TL;DR

  • Call 911 and stay at the scene after any crash with injury, death, a hit and run, suspected DUI, a vehicle that needs a wrecker, a commercial vehicle, or apparent damage of at least $2,000.
  • If law enforcement does not investigate and a written report is required, the driver submits a report to the state within 10 days.
  • A crash report is the state form filed by an officer or a driver. A police report is the officer’s record of the investigation. In everyday use, people often treat them as one document.
  • A crash report costs $10 plus a $2 convenience fee through the Florida Crash Portal. It can take up to 10 days to become available.
  • An injured person generally needs medical care within 14 days to preserve personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.

Table of Contents

Which crashes must be reported in Florida

Section 316.065 of the Florida Statutes sets the duty to report. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), a driver must notify law enforcement and stay at the scene when the crash involves any of the following:

  • An injury
  • A fatality
  • A hit and run
  • A driver under the influence (DUI)
  • A vehicle that requires a wrecker to remove it
  • A commercial motor vehicle
  • Apparent damage of at least $2,000

The 2026 text of section 316.065(1) requires notice “by the quickest means of communication” to the local police department if the crash is within a municipality, or to the county sheriff or nearest Florida Highway Patrol office if it is not.

A note on the damage threshold

Some FLHSMV and city police pages still describe the property damage trigger as $500. For example, the FLHSMV “Involved in a Crash?” page refers to at least $500 in estimated damage. Other agencies, such as Bradenton Police, cite $2,000. Apparent damage is hard to judge at the roadside, since a bumper that looks cosmetic can hide structural repairs. The practical approach is to call when there is any doubt, and to report every crash that involves a possible injury regardless of cost.

Reporting at the scene: calling law enforcement

When one of the triggers above applies, the sequence is short:

  1. Check everyone for injuries and call 911.
  2. Move the vehicles out of traffic only if they are drivable and it is safe to do so.
  3. Stay until information has been exchanged and the reporting duties are complete. Space Coast Daily describes the duty as remaining long enough to provide information and meet reporting obligations.
  4. Give the officer facts, not guesses about fault or injuries.
  5. Ask the officer for the report number or the agency’s instructions for obtaining the report.

For non-emergency situations in some cities, a non-emergency line exists. The St. Petersburg Police Department, for instance, lists 727-893-7780. Local numbers differ, so the agency covering the crash location is the right place to call.

What the officer files

The officer, not the driver, completes the state crash report when police investigate. Under section 316.066(1)(a), a Long Form must be submitted to the state within 10 days after the investigation is completed when the crash involved:

  • Death, personal injury, or any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort by any party or passenger
  • A violation of the statutes on leaving the scene or DUI
  • A vehicle rendered inoperable to a degree that required a wrecker
  • A commercial motor vehicle

The wording “any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort” matters. A driver who says at the scene that the neck feels sore has put that into the record, which is relevant later for an injury claim.

When no officer comes: the 10-day self-report

Many minor crashes never involve police, particularly low-damage collisions in parking lots or on private property. Under section 316.066(1)(e), the driver of a vehicle in a crash that caused damage but does not require a law enforcement report must submit a written report to the state within 10 days, on a form approved by the department.

FLHSMV offers two options on its “Involved in a Crash?” page:

  • Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self Report): the written report for the state.
  • Driver Exchange of Information: a form for swapping details with the other driver.

Both can be completed online or downloaded and mailed to the address printed on the form. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department also directs drivers to self-report minor crashes that do not meet the mandatory notification criteria.

Information to gather before filing

  • Names, phone numbers, and addresses of all drivers
  • Insurer names and policy numbers
  • License plate numbers and driver’s license numbers
  • Location, date, and time of the crash
  • Photographs of vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, debris, signals, and lighting
  • Names and contact details of witnesses

This is the same list Space Coast Daily recommends collecting at the scene.

Crash report, police report, and long form versus short form

A common search question is whether a crash report is the same as a police report. In Florida, the official document is the Florida Traffic Crash Report (form HSMV 90010S). FLHSMV explains that officers use it to report crashes to the state, in both Long Form and Short Form versions, within 10 days of the crash. Most people call the result a “police report.”

The difference between the two versions is practical:

Feature Long Form Short Form
Typical crash Injury, death, DUI, wrecker removal, commercial vehicle Reportable crash with low damage and no injury
Narrative and diagram Included Omitted
Usefulness for an injury claim High Limited

The distinction between the forms is described in a Florida crash report guide from a Tampa law firm. The same guide notes that an injured person’s report is almost certainly a Long Form, and that the officer’s narrative and diagram are often its most useful parts for an injury claim.

Getting a copy of your Florida crash report

Reports are available through the Florida Crash Portal. According to FLHSMV:

  • The fee is $10 per report, plus a $2 convenience fee per transaction.
  • A transaction is limited to 10 reports.
  • A report can take up to 10 days to become available.
  • Purchased reports are available immediately and should be downloaded within 48 hours.
  • Mail or in-person requests require a signed statement. Requests for 10 or fewer records may be handled at the nearest Florida Highway Patrol troop station. Larger requests are mailed to FLHSMV Crash Records in Tallahassee and take 4 to 6 weeks.

The 60-day confidentiality period

Florida limits who can see a crash report at first. The FLHSMV FAQ states that reports are confidential and exempt for 60 days. During that time, only the entities listed in section 316.066(2) can obtain a copy, including the parties involved and their licensed insurance agents. After 60 days, reports become public record.

The rule exists to protect crash victims’ privacy and deter fraudulent claims, according to FLHSMV’s traffic incidents page, which also notes third-degree felony penalties for unlawful disclosure or obtaining. A requester typically has to present identification and sign a sworn statement. A person in the crash, or an attorney representing that person, can complete this step.

Reviewing the report once it arrives

Check names, vehicle details, insurance information, and the narrative. Space Coast Daily notes that correcting a factual error early is easier than discovering it after an insurance claim becomes disputed. CaseClosedFL explains the correction process in 5 steps to amend a police report after a crash. Read guide →

Finding the other driver’s insurance

If the other driver’s coverage is unknown, FLHSMV explains on its “Involved in a Crash?” page that section 324.242(2) allows release of that information to people involved in the crash, their attorney, or an insurer’s representative. The request uses Insurance Request Form HSMV 83392, with a copy of the complete crash report or self report attached. Allow ten working days after receipt for processing.

What happens if a required report is not filed

Failing to file the written report is a noncriminal traffic infraction under section 316.066(3)(a), punishable as a nonmoving violation under chapter 318. Failing to give law enforcement notice under section 316.065 is treated the same way. FLHSMV’s Appendix C lists a $30 fine for each of these violations. Fine schedules and added court costs can change, so the current amount is confirmed with the county clerk.

The fine is the smaller consequence. Without a report on file, an insurer has no official record of the crash, and a claim for damage or injury can become harder to document. That is the reason a report is worth filing even when the law’s trigger is borderline.

Reporting, insurance, and the 14-day medical window

A crash report and an insurance claim are separate steps. The crash report goes to the state. The claim goes to an insurer. Both depend on the same facts, which is why consistency between them matters.

Florida is a no-fault state. According to Space Coast Daily, PIP generally pays first, for up to $10,000 in covered benefits regardless of who caused the crash. To qualify, the injured person must seek medical attention within 14 days, and missing that window can eliminate PIP benefits. Anyone who is hurt, even mildly, should see a doctor, urgent care provider, or emergency department promptly and make sure the visit is documented.

Our perspective

Most people who contact us after a crash are not asking about statutes. They are asking whether the crash “counts” and what to do next. The reporting rules answer part of that: if anyone was hurt, the crash is reportable, and an officer’s report with a narrative is the best starting record.

We built the CaseClosedFL intake around the same logic. Accident details come first: injury, fault, treatment, and whether an attorney is already involved. Personal contact information is requested only if the case meets intake criteria. Every submission gets a human review before it is referred to a participating attorney.

We do not give legal advice and we do not guarantee results or attorney contact. What the process offers is a no-obligation way to learn whether a case is eligible for review, with less exposure to unwanted solicitation. Florida’s 60-day confidentiality rule on crash reports points the same way: victims’ information deserves protection.

Luis

If there is no police report

A missing report does not end an injury claim. Evidence such as photographs, witness details, medical records, and insurer correspondence can still support it. CaseClosedFL covers the options in what you can still do with no police report claim. Read guide →

For a broader timeline, the first 30 days after a Florida accident checklist sets out what to do and when. Crashes involving an uninsured driver have their own considerations, covered in the Miami uninsured driver accident guide.

Check eligibility after a Florida crash

Anyone injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, or pedestrian accident can use the free eligibility check from CaseClosedFL. The form asks about the accident first and requests personal contact details only if the case meets intake criteria. Local intake pages are available for Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and Jacksonville. The full list is on the Florida accident intake areas page. Terms are in the consumer disclosures.

FAQ

How long do you have to report a car accident in Florida?

A crash that meets the statutory triggers must be reported to law enforcement immediately. When police do not investigate and a written report is required, the driver has 10 days to submit it to the state. Officers also have 10 days to submit their reports once an investigation is complete.

Do you have to report a minor accident with no injuries?

Not always. If no one is hurt and none of the other triggers apply, a police call may not be required, but a written driver report may still be due within 10 days. Apparent damage at or above the statutory threshold changes the answer, so when the damage is uncertain, a call to the local police department or sheriff is the safer step.

How do you obtain a crash report in Florida?

Use the Florida Crash Portal on the FLHSMV site. The cost is $10 per report plus a $2 convenience fee per transaction, and reports can take up to 10 days to appear. During the first 60 days, only eligible parties such as those involved in the crash and their insurers or attorneys can request a copy.

What happens if you do not report a crash in Florida?

Failing to file a required report is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation under chapter 318. The practical risk is larger: without an official record, an insurance claim may be harder to support.

Is a crash report the same as a police report?

In practice, people use the terms interchangeably. The official document is the Florida Traffic Crash Report, in Long Form or Short Form. A Long Form includes the officer’s narrative and diagram, which is why it is the more useful version when an injury is involved.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

TL;DR Call 911 and stay at the scene after any crash with injury, death, a hit and run, suspected DUI, a vehicle that needs a wrecker, a commercial vehicle, or apparent damage of at least $2,000. If law enforcement does not investigate and a written report is required, the driver submits a report to the state within 10 days. A crash report is the state form filed by an officer or a driver. A police report is the officer’s record of the investigation. In everyday use, people often treat them as one document. A crash report costs $10 plus a $2 convenience fee through the Florida Crash Portal. It can take up to 10 days to become available. An injured person generally needs medical care within 14 days to preserve personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. Table of Contents Which crashes must be reported in Florida Reporting at the scene: calling law enforcement When no officer comes: the 10-day self-report Crash report, police report, and long form versus short form Getting a copy of your Florida crash report What happens if a required report is not filed Reporting, insurance, and the 14-day medical window Our perspective If there is no police report Check eligibility after a Florida crash FAQ Sources Which crashes must be reported in Florida Section 316.065 of the Florida Statutes sets the duty to report. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) , a driver must notify law enforcement and stay at the scene when the crash involves any of the following: An injury A fatality A hit and run A driver under the influence (DUI) A vehicle that requires a wrecker to remove it A commercial motor vehicle Apparent damage of at least $2,000 The 2026 text of section 316.065(1) requires notice “by the quickest means of communication” to the local police department if the crash is within a municipality, or to the county sheriff or nearest Florida Highway Patrol office if it is not. A note on the damage threshold Some FLHSMV and city police pages still describe the property damage trigger as $500. For example, the FLHSMV “Involved in a Crash?” page refers to at least $500 in estimated damage. Other agencies, such as Bradenton Police , cite $2,000. Apparent damage is hard to judge at the roadside, since a bumper that looks cosmetic can hide structural repairs. The practical approach is to call when there is any doubt, and to report every crash that involves a possible injury regardless of cost. Reporting at the scene: calling law enforcement When one of the triggers above applies, the sequence is short: Check everyone for injuries and call 911. Move the vehicles out of traffic only if they are drivable and it is safe to do so. Stay until information has been exchanged and the reporting duties are complete. Space Coast Daily describes the duty as remaining long enough to provide information and meet reporting obligations. Give the officer facts, not guesses about fault or injuries. Ask the officer for the report number or the agency’s instructions for obtaining the report. For non-emergency situations in some cities, a non-emergency line exists. The St. Petersburg Police Department , for instance, lists 727-893-7780. Local numbers differ, so the agency covering the crash location is the right place to call. What the officer files The officer, not the driver, completes the state crash report when police investigate. Under section 316.066(1)(a) , a Long Form must be submitted to the state within 10 days after the investigation is completed when the crash involved: Death, personal injury, or any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort by any party or passenger A violation of the statutes on leaving the scene or DUI A vehicle rendered inoperable to a degree that required a wrecker A commercial motor vehicle The wording “any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort” matters. A driver who says at the scene that the neck feels sore has put that into the record, which is relevant later for an injury claim. When no officer comes: the 10-day self-report Many minor crashes never involve police, particularly low-damage collisions in parking lots or on private property. Under section 316.066(1)(e) , the driver of a vehicle in a crash that caused damage but does not require a law enforcement report must submit a written report to the state within 10 days, on a form approved by the department. FLHSMV offers two options on its “Involved in a Crash?” page : Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self Report): the written report for the state. Driver Exchange of Information: a form for swapping details with the other driver. Both can be completed online or downloaded and mailed to the address printed on the form. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department also directs drivers to self-report minor crashes that do not meet the mandatory notification criteria. Information to gather before filing Names, phone numbers, and addresses of all drivers Insurer names and policy numbers License plate numbers and driver’s license numbers Location, date, and time of the crash Photographs of vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, debris, signals, and lighting Names and contact details of witnesses This is the same list Space Coast Daily recommends collecting at the scene. Crash report, police report, and long form versus short form A common search question is whether a crash report is the same as a police report. In Florida, the official document is the Florida Traffic Crash Report (form HSMV 90010S). FLHSMV explains that officers use it to report crashes to the state, in both Long Form and Short Form versions, within 10 days of the crash. Most people call the result a “police report.” The difference between the two versions is practical: Feature Long Form Short Form Typical crash Injury, death, DUI, wrecker removal, commercial vehicle Reportable crash with low damage and no injury Narrative and diagram Included Omitted Usefulness for an injury claim High Limited The distinction between the forms is described in a Florida crash report guide from a Tampa law firm . The same guide notes that an injured person’s report is almost certainly a Long Form, and that the officer’s narrative and diagram are often its most useful parts for an injury claim. Getting a copy of your Florida crash report Reports are available through the Florida Crash Portal. According to FLHSMV : The fee is $10 per report, plus a $2 convenience fee per transaction. A transaction is limited to 10 reports. A report can take up to 10 days to become available. Purchased reports are available immediately and should be downloaded within 48 hours. Mail or in-person requests require a signed statement. Requests for 10 or fewer records may be handled at the nearest Florida Highway Patrol troop station. Larger requests are mailed to FLHSMV Crash Records in Tallahassee and take 4 to 6 weeks. The 60-day confidentiality period Florida limits who can see a crash report at first. The FLHSMV FAQ states that reports are confidential and exempt for 60 days. During that time, only the entities listed in section 316.066(2) can obtain a copy, including the parties involved and their licensed insurance agents. After 60 days, reports become public record. The rule exists to protect crash victims’ privacy and deter fraudulent claims, according to FLHSMV’s traffic incidents page , which also notes third-degree felony penalties for unlawful disclosure or obtaining. A requester typically has to present identification and sign a sworn statement. A person in the crash, or an attorney representing that person, can complete this step. Reviewing the report once it arrives Check names, vehicle details, insurance information, and the narrative. Space Coast Daily notes that correcting a factual error early is easier than discovering it after an insurance claim becomes disputed. CaseClosedFL explains the correction process in 5 steps to amend a police report after a crash . Read guide → Finding the other driver’s insurance If the other driver’s coverage is unknown, FLHSMV explains on its “Involved in a Crash?” page that section 324.242(2) allows release of that information to people involved in the crash, their attorney, or an insurer’s representative. The request uses Insurance Request Form HSMV 83392, with a copy of the complete crash report or self report attached. Allow ten working days after receipt for processing. What happens if a required report is not filed Failing to file the written report is a noncriminal traffic infraction under section 316.066(3)(a) , punishable as a nonmoving violation under chapter 318. Failing to give law enforcement notice under section 316.065 is treated the same way. FLHSMV’s Appendix C lists a $30 fine for each of these violations. Fine schedules and added court costs can change, so the current amount is confirmed with the county clerk. The fine is the smaller consequence. Without a report on file, an insurer has no official record of the crash, and a claim for damage or injury can become harder to document. That is the reason a report is worth filing even when the law’s trigger is borderline. Reporting, insurance, and the 14-day medical window A crash report and an insurance claim are separate steps. The crash report goes to the state. The claim goes to an insurer. Both depend on the same facts, which is why consistency between them matters. Florida is a no-fault state. According to Space Coast Daily , PIP generally pays first, for up to $10,000 in covered benefits regardless of who caused the crash. To qualify, the injured person must seek medical attention within 14 days, and missing that window can eliminate PIP benefits. Anyone who is hurt, even mildly, should see a doctor, urgent care provider, or emergency department promptly and make sure the visit is documented. Our perspective Most people who contact us after a crash are not asking about statutes. They are asking whether the crash “counts” and what to do next. The reporting rules answer part of that: if anyone was hurt, the crash is reportable, and an officer’s report with a narrative is the best starting record. We built the CaseClosedFL intake around the same logic. Accident details come first: injury, fault, treatment, and whether an attorney is already involved. Personal contact information is requested only if the case meets intake criteria. Every submission gets a human review before it is referred to a participating attorney. We do not give legal advice and we do not guarantee results or attorney contact. What the process offers is a no-obligation way to learn whether a case is eligible for review, with less exposure to unwanted solicitation. Florida’s 60-day confidentiality rule on crash reports points the same way: victims’ information deserves protection. Luis If there is no police report A missing report does not end an injury claim. Evidence such as photographs, witness details, medical records, and insurer correspondence can still support it. CaseClosedFL covers the options in what you can still do with no police report claim . Read guide → For a broader timeline, the first 30 days after a Florida accident checklist sets out what to do and when. Crashes involving an uninsured driver have their own considerations, covered in the Miami uninsured driver accident guide . Check eligibility after a Florida crash Anyone injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, or pedestrian accident can use the free eligibility check from CaseClosedFL. The form asks about the accident first and requests personal contact details only if the case meets intake criteria. Local intake pages are available for Tampa , Orlando , Fort Lauderdale , Fort Myers , and Jacksonville . The full list is on the Florida accident intake areas page. Terms are in the consumer disclosures . FAQ How long do you have to report a car accident in Florida?

A crash that meets the statutory triggers must be reported to law enforcement immediately. When police do not investigate and a written report is required, the driver has 10 days to submit it to the state. Officers also have 10 days to submit their reports once an investigation is complete.

Do you have to report a minor accident with no injuries?

Not always. If no one is hurt and none of the other triggers apply, a police call may not be required, but a written driver report may still be due within 10 days. Apparent damage at or above the statutory threshold changes the answer, so when the damage is uncertain, a call to the local police department or sheriff is the safer step.

How do you obtain a crash report in Florida?

Use the Florida Crash Portal on the FLHSMV site. The cost is $10 per report plus a $2 convenience fee per transaction, and reports can take up to 10 days to appear. During the first 60 days, only eligible parties such as those involved in the crash and their insurers or attorneys can request a copy.

What happens if you do not report a crash in Florida?

Failing to file a required report is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation under chapter 318. The practical risk is larger: without an official record, an insurance claim may be harder to support.

Is a crash report the same as a police report?

In practice, people use the terms interchangeably. The official document is the Florida Traffic Crash Report, in Long Form or Short Form. A Long Form includes the officer’s narrative and diagram, which is why it is the more useful version when an injury is involved.

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