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How To Obtain an Accident Report in Clearwater

Home   /   Personal Injury Blog   /   How To Obtain an Accident Report in Clearwater

November 17, 2023 | By Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
How To Obtain an Accident Report in Clearwater
How To Obtain an Accident Report in Clearwater

Drivers in Florida must call the police after a car accident involving injury, death, or at least $500 in property damage. The responding police officers must often produce a crash report summarizing their investigation. This report can provide valuable information for an injury claim, such as the citations issued due to the crash.

However, many accident victims do not know how to obtain an accident report in Clearwater, FL. Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you obtain your report and use the information it contains to gather admissible evidence for an injury claim.

We can also help you understand your legal rights and options following a crash – and, from there, help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today at (727) 787-2500 to get started with a free case review.

How Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Get Compensation Following a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL

How Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Get Compensation Following a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL

Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers was founded in 1996 to serve injured people in Clearwater, Florida. Our attorneys have over 60 years of combined legal experience and have recovered over $200 million in injury compensation for our clients.

When you suffer an injury, our Clearwater car accident lawyers provide:

  • Legal advice about your options for seeking compensation from those who injured you
  • Passionate negotiators to fight for a fair settlement without waiting for a trial
  • Award-winning litigators to take your case to court when opposing parties refuse to settle

Car accident injuries can leave you with massive medical bills and no way to pay them. Contact Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the injury compensation you can pursue for them.

How Many Accident Reports Get Filed in Florida?

In 2022, Florida had 308,385 total traffic accidents. Florida law requires police officers to prepare police reports for all crashes that involve:

  • Death
  • Injury
  • Hit and run
  • DUI
  • Disabling vehicle damage
  • Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)

Traffic accidents in Florida included:

  • 2,421 fatal crashes
  • 127,960 injury crashes
  • 178,004 property damage-only (PDO) crashes

The state also had 9,238 total CMV accidents, and 3,452 of these truck accidents caused injury or death and were previously counted in the fatal and injury crash totals. This left 5,786 PDO truck accidents that required a crash report under Florida law.

Florida has not yet released DUI crash numbers for 2022. But its 2021 Crash Facts Report had 6,272 DUI crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or both – and 3,068 of these crashes caused injuries or fatalities and were already counted. If you assume DUI crash numbers in 2022 roughly matched 2021’s numbers, you can add 3,204 PDO DUI crashes.

From these numbers, you can calculate that at least 139,371 accident reports were written for crashes involving injury, death, CMVs, or DUI in 2022.

Three Ways To Obtain a Crash Report in Clearwater

According to Florida law, the officer who investigated your crash has ten days to file the accident report. For the first 60 days after filing the report, the law limits those who can access it. Some categories of people who can access the report during this period include the following:

  • Crash victims and the parents of minor crash victims
  • Owners of vehicles involved in the accident
  • Insurers and attorneys for a victim or vehicle owner

Your options for obtaining your crash report depend on the jurisdiction that investigated your crash. In Clearwater, there are a few jurisdictions that might have produced your report.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

The highway patrol shares jurisdiction over crashes on state or interstate highways. The FHP can also get called to back up other police agencies for crashes on other roads.

The only place you can request an FHP report is on the Florida Crash Report Portal. All crash reports in the state, regardless of the jurisdiction or agency, also get posted to the crash portal.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

The sheriff’s office has sole jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of the county. It also shares jurisdiction within Clearwater city limits. If sheriff’s deputies investigated your crash, you can contact the sheriff’s office or use the state’s crash portal.

Clearwater Police Department

The police department has shared jurisdiction within Clearwater. It may also get called as a backup for the FHP or sheriff’s office. If city police officers responded to your accident, you can contact the city for your crash report. You can also use the state’s crash portal.

Using an Accident Report for Your Injury Claim

A crash report constitutes hearsay. As a result, a judge will not admit the report as evidence. But the report still serves a valuable purpose. For one, it can be used during settlement negotiations with an insurance company.

Claims adjusters do not follow the rules of evidence and may use the report to investigate your claim. The report also provides leads so your injury lawyer can track down admissible evidence, like official records of traffic tickets and witnesses who testify on your behalf.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Clearwater Car Accident Lawyers

Car accident injuries can jeopardize your physical and financial health. Contact Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 787-2500 for a free consultation to discuss your Clearwater car accident and the compensation you can seek for your injuries under Florida law.

Our law firm handles all types of car accident cases involving:

  • Head-on Crashes
  • Highway Crashes
  • Hit and Run Accidents
  • Intersection Crashes
  • Lane Change Crashes
  • Left-turn Accidents
  • Multi-Vehicle Crashes
  • Parking Lot Accidents
  • Rollover Accidents
  • Single Vehicle Accidents
  • Speeding Accidents

Additional Clearwater Car Accident Resources

  • Airbag Injuries After a Car Accident
  • Car Accident Statistics
  • Do I Need a Lawyer After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
  • How Does Car Insurance Work in Florida?
  • Questions to Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL
  • Seatbelt Injuries
  • What To Do When Injured in a Car Accident
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I have worked closely with Miles Hickman of Roman Austin and he combines a rare blend of fierce trial capabilities with the kind of bedside manners that clients greatly appreciate. This is a standout office...
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I have worked closely with Miles Hickman of Roman Austin and he combines a rare blend of fierce trial capabilities with the kind of bedside manners that clients greatly appreciate. This is a standout office of trial attorneys that we feel confident referring clients to get a great resolution.

C Sanchez, Esq.

They did a great job and even advised what to do if there was no insurance for the at-fault driver and I had to self represent. Ended up being able to get me the fullest...
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They did a great job and even advised what to do if there was no insurance for the at-fault driver and I had to self represent. Ended up being able to get me the fullest payout possible, team was easy to keep in touch with, and Miles was clear in his explanations and helpful with his advice. I still use some of the doctors I connected with through their firm. Would recommend Roman Austin and would use them again.

J.P.

I cannot say enough incredible things about Roman Austin Law Firm. John Austin is a phenomenal lawyer. I was in a bad crash that involved a truck totaling my vehicle and sustaining neck and back...
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I cannot say enough incredible things about Roman Austin Law Firm. John Austin is a phenomenal lawyer. I was in a bad crash that involved a truck totaling my vehicle and sustaining neck and back injuries.Going into this process, I was honestly apprehensive about even hiring a lawyer. I was especially wary of those large, commercial firms that just want to move cases quickly. I had heard some great things about Roman Austin, but did my own extensive research and now know why they are a five star firm. What could have easily been a stressful and overwhelming experience turned into something completely different because of John Austin and his team. Choosing them was one of the best decisions I have ever made.John is truly exceptional. He is incredibly detailed, meticulous, and completely devoted to his work. He worked tirelessly on my case, going above and beyond anything I could have ever expected. He spent countless hours (even on weekends), and was always available whenever I needed him. His level of dedication, care, and precision is something you rarely find.Beyond that, he is patient, kind, and deeply compassionate. You never feel like just another case. He genuinely cares about you as a person and wants the absolute best for you. He made what could have been a difficult process feel manageable and supported every step of the way.His entire team was phenomenal. They were responsive, professional, and just as committed. Every interaction felt thoughtful and intentional.The outcome we achieved was fantastic, and I am beyond grateful. I couldn't be more pleased with my experience.If you are considering legal representation, I wholeheartedly recommend John at Roman Austin Law Firm. They are professional, dedicated, and truly invested in their clients.Choosing John Austin made all the difference. He fought tirelessly to ensure that everything I endured was recognized and fairly compensated, and that level of dedication is something I will never forget. I am profoundly grateful not only for the outcome, but for the care, integrity, and unwavering commitment shown every step of the way. Forever thankful I chose them, and truly forever grateful.

C.M.

After my accident, I didn't know where to start. Roman Austin made the whole process feel manageable and honestly took a huge weight off my shoulders. The team was kind, responsive, and truly cared about...
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After my accident, I didn't know where to start. Roman Austin made the whole process feel manageable and honestly took a huge weight off my shoulders. The team was kind, responsive, and truly cared about what I was going through. I always felt heard and supported. I'm so thankful I found them and would absolutely recommend them to anyone who needs help.

S.S.

Once again Roman & Austin and their team has been a helping hand through hard times after being rear ended by a driver not paying attention. The same day I was set up with community...
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Once again Roman & Austin and their team has been a helping hand through hard times after being rear ended by a driver not paying attention. The same day I was set up with community care to make sure I had to physical and emotional support I needed and they checked on me with updates every week. They got me the full compensation I deserved for my injuries and are the best at what they do.

J.K.

“They held our hand the entire time.” “Rebuilt our lives.“Helped with doctors and wage loss.” “Felt like family.” “Prompt resolutions.”
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At Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we practice across the entire state of Florida. We primarily serve the following localities: Clearwater, Countryside, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, East Lake, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Largo, Seminole, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, Holiday, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, Westchase, Tampa, Town N Country, Egypt Lake Leto, Citrus Park, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Starkey Ranch, and all surrounding communities in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties.

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