After a collision on a Fort Lauderdale highway or boulevard, you may be left spending time in the emergency room and later, some time at a body repair shop.
If a reckless driver caused your crash, you’ll want to make sure that those medical bills and the cost to get your car back on the road aren’t dropped in your lap. But at-fault drivers and their car insurance providers don’t always readily accept blame and provide you with the support you need.
You may have to prove the other driver’s liability in the accident. A collision report from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department can serve as valuable evidence to back up your account of what happened. It’s important to know how to secure this valuable document in case you need it.
Who Can Ask for a FLPD Car Accident Report?
If a Fort Lauderdale Police Officer investigated your accident, you’ll be working with the FLPD Records Unit to get a copy of your accident report. You may be seeking a car accident report or a marine accident report after a boat collision.
Not everyone can obtain an accident report from your incident. These are the people or parties who are entitled to request it:
- Anyone involved in the accident
- Your attorney
- Your insurance agent
- Victim services programs
- Any government agency
If you have Fort Lauderdale’s Cowen Edwards Trial Lawyers representing your car accident case, you can count on your lawyer to obtain this report.
Keep in mind, Florida requires anyone requesting an accident report to complete an affidavit specifying why you are entitled to that report. You may use the link provided to print an Adobe PDF copy of the affidavit.
Sworn Statement for Crash Report – with notary [PDF]
Asking Fort Lauderdale Police for a Car Accident Report
It’s a good idea to wait at least a week before you start seeking your accident report. This gives the responding officer time to complete the document. It’s possible that the investigation into your accident will be ongoing. You could have to wait longer.
There will be a small charge for your accident report depending on how many pages are printed off. You can find more information on fees and requests on the Fort Lauderdale Police Department website.
Reports may be requested either by mail or in person:
By Mail: Requests by mail must include the required fee along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Prior to mailing your request, call Records to confirm the report has been received and obtain a cost for the report. Please be sure to include as much information as possible when making your request such as the case number, date, location of incident, and type of incident.
Remember to include a signed and notarized copy of the crash report affidavit along with your request.
Temporary Address: (call the office to confirm the current mailing address of the Records Unit)
Fort Lauderdale Police Department Records Unit
1350 West Broward Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954-828-5465
In Person: The Records Unit at the above address (call ahead to make sure the location hasn’t changed) is open to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You should contact the unit beforehand to see if your report has been completed. You can call the department at any time between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Include as much information as possible on a written request such as the case number, date, location of incident, and type of incident. Then deliver it with your signed affidavit (see above).
Should I Contact My Lawyer After a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident
If you are seriously injured due to a careless driver’s mistake, you should discuss your options with a skilled Fort Lauderdale car accident Lawyer. If you are hurt in a boating accident by someone’s carelessness, it’s also a good idea to find out what your injuries are worth, before a car insurance company tries to convince you that you should pay your own recovery bills.
You should also contact Cowen Edwards Trial Lawyers if you are being unfairly blamed for an accident. Knowing your rights and about every benefit available to accident victims can keep you from losing out on valuable compensation.
There’s no risk to speaking with Cowen Edwards. We offer a free consultation to all victims. There’s no obligation for this free case review, and if you decide we can help you secure more in support, you won’t need to worry about having the money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you and your family. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement money you are awarded.
