Are Car Accidents Public Record in Florida?

Are Car Accidents Public Record in Florida? What You Can and Cannot Access

Yes—but Florida law has a timing rule that confuses many people. Most police crash reports become public record in Florida, but not right away. There’s a 60-day waiting period after the accident. After that, the report is generally available. Insurance settlements and medical records, however, stay private forever.

If you were injured and need a report, understanding these rules—and what the crash report actually contains—matters for your claim.

The 60-day confidentiality rule: Florida’s unique timing

This detail trips up most people. Under Florida Statute § 119.0712, crash reports are confidential for 60 days after the accident. Law enforcement uses this time to complete their investigation, preserve evidence, and finalize their findings before releasing the file to the public.

After 60 days, the report becomes public.

Here’s the timeline:

• Days 1–60: The report is confidential. You cannot request it through public records channels, and it won’t show up in online searches.
• Day 61 onward: The report is generally available to anyone who requests it.

If you were injured and need the report quickly—for insurance or to start legal action—you may not be able to get it during the confidentiality period through standard public records requests. However, your own insurance company or an attorney representing you may have different access rights or faster procedures for active claims.

What information appears in a public crash report

Once the 60 days end, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), local police departments, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) release crash reports. A typical report includes:

• Accident details: exact date, time, and location (address, intersection, or mile marker)
• Vehicles involved: make, model, year, license plate, and VIN
• Driver information: names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers (often redacted), and dates of birth
• Officer’s narrative: how the officer determined the accident happened, road and weather conditions, and any contributing factors
• Citations and violations: traffic tickets issued, such as speeding, failure to yield, or improper lane change
• Injury information: whether anyone was transported by ambulance, the nature of injuries reported (minor, moderate, severe), and names of injured parties
• Vehicle damage: officer’s assessment of damage severity
• Witness information: names and contact details of people who saw the accident
• Insurance information: policy numbers and insurer names

The DHSMV Crash Report Search lets you search by driver name, crash date, or location. You can also request reports in person at any DHSMV office, by mail, or by phone.

What remains confidential—even after 60 days

Several categories of information never become public, no matter how much time passes:

• Insurance claim details and settlement amounts: What an insurance company paid, or what was agreed to in a settlement, is private between the parties involved.
• Medical records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical information about injuries and treatment stays confidential.
• Full Social Security numbers and complete driver’s license numbers: These are redacted from publicly available reports to prevent identity theft.
• Statements to insurance adjusters: Communications between injured parties and insurers are typically privileged.
• Ongoing criminal investigations: If the accident involved a criminal act (such as DUI with pending charges), certain details may remain restricted until the case ends.
• Sealed or expunged records: If a court seals a case, the associated crash information may also be restricted.

This matters: you can learn what happened, but you won’t find out how much anyone was paid or details about their medical care.

How to request a crash report in Florida

Through the DHSMV: Visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Report Search. You can search online for free to see if a report exists. To get a copy:

• Online: Use the DHSMV portal (fees apply; typically $2–$5 per report)
• By mail: Send a written request to DHSMV with the accident date, location, and driver names
• By phone: Call (850) 617-3416 to ask about availability and request procedures
• In person: Visit any DHSMV office with your request information

Through local law enforcement: If the accident happened in a city or county, the local police department or sheriff’s office may also have the report. Contact the agency that responded to the accident.

Through Florida Highway Patrol: For accidents on state roads or highways, FHP keeps the original report. You can request it through FHP’s public records office or via the DHSMV system.

Processing time: After the 60-day confidentiality period ends, reports are usually available within 1–2 weeks of your request. Times vary by agency and workload.

When is there no public record?

Not every accident generates a formal, publicly available report:

• Private property accidents: Collisions in parking lots, driveways, or private roads may never be reported to law enforcement unless someone calls 911 or files a report.
• Minor accidents without police response: If both parties exchanged information and didn’t call police, no official report exists.
• Hit-and-run cases where the other driver fled: A report may exist, but it will note that the at-fault driver was not identified.
• Accidents in gated communities or on private property: Depending on circumstances, these may be handled by private security rather than police.

If no police report was filed, there’s no public record to access—but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a claim if you were injured. Witness statements, photos, medical records, and insurance documentation can all support your case.

Why the crash report matters for your injury claim

If you were injured, the police crash report is critical evidence. Here’s why:

For insurance claims: Insurance adjusters use the official report to investigate liability and determine fault. The officer’s observations, citations issued, and damage assessment all influence whether the insurer accepts or denies your claim.

For establishing fault: The report creates an official record of how the accident happened. If the at-fault driver received a citation (such as running a red light or speeding), that citation strengthens your position.

For negotiations: A well-documented report that supports your account gives you leverage in settlement discussions. Insurers are more likely to offer fair compensation when the evidence is clear.

For legal action: If you file a lawsuit, the crash report is foundational evidence. Florida’s statute of limitations for personal-injury claims is two years from the date of the accident, so acting within that window is essential.

For comparative fault: Florida follows a comparative-fault rule, meaning if you’re found partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. The crash report details directly affect this calculation.

Building your case beyond the crash report

The crash report is one piece of evidence, but it’s not the only one that matters. To build a strong claim, you’ll also need:

• Medical records and bills: Documentation of your injuries, treatment, and ongoing care
• Photographs: Images of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and traffic signals
• Witness statements: Contact information and accounts from people who saw the accident
• Your own account: A detailed, written description of what happened from your perspective
• Insurance documentation: Your policy, the other driver’s policy information, and all correspondence with adjusters
• Expert reports: In serious accidents, accident reconstruction experts or medical specialists may be needed

An attorney can help you gather, organize, and interpret all this evidence—including obtaining and analyzing the crash report—to build the strongest possible case.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you were injured in a car accident in Florida, the crash report is just your starting point. Many people in your situation have questions about what happened, what their options are, and whether they have a claim. We’re here to help you understand your next steps and what your case might be worth. Contact us for a free case evaluation.