How to Obtain the Police Report After a Car Accident
One of the most important steps to take after a car accident is to obtain a copy of the police report. The police report is an official document that outlines important details regarding the accident. This information can help support your legal case when filing a claim with the insurance company. Obtaining a copy of your accident report is fairly straightforward, but this does not mean it is easy, especially when you are trying to recover from serious injuries. Below, our Tampa car accident attorney explains how to obtain a copy of your police report.
Why Obtain a Copy of the Police Report?
After a police officer visits the scene of an accident, they will write and file a police report. The report will provide an objective summary of how the crash occurred and it will contain important details of the crash. These details include:
- The location, date, and time of the accident
- The names and contact information of everyone involved, including the drivers, passengers, and eyewitnesses
- A brief description of the damage to all vehicles involved
- The initial observations of the officer of a diagram showing how the collision happened
Car accident attorneys and insurance companies rely on police reports to determine how the crash happened and who was responsible for it. The police report atone does not prove fault, nor is it the only form of evidence used in an accident.
How to Obtain a Report from the Tampa Police Department (TPD)
If your accident occurred within Tampa city limits, you will likely have to contact the TPD to obtain a copy of the report. You can request a copy online, in person, or by mail. You will have to create an account with the City of Tampa Public Records Center and provide some details about the accident, such as the case number or location or date of the accident. You will have to pay a small fee, but it is usually not more than $15.
How to Obtain a Report from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)
If your accident happened on a major highway or interstate, you will likely have to obtain a copy of the accident report from the FHP. You can also do this online, by mail, or in person. Any time you are visiting an office in person, it is important to phone ahead and ask about processing times. As with the TPD, you will also have to pay a small fee to obtain a copy of the report.
Our Car Accident Attorney in Tampa Can Obtain Your Report
A police report is important evidence in any car accident claim, but there are others, too. At Moore Law, our Tampa car accident attorney can advise on the evidence necessary to prove your case and collect it while you focus on recovering from your serious injuries. Call us now at 813-510-5400 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
services.flhsmv.gov/CrashReportPurchasing/
