You can get a crash report in Lakeland by requesting it online, through the city’s police department, or from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). After a crash, many people deal with several issues at once, including injuries, vehicle damage, and questions about who’s at fault.
A crash report can help explain what happened, identify the parties involved, and document details about the collision. Our Lakeland car accident lawyers can use this report to take a closer look at the crash, review insurance issues, and help build a claim for damages after a serious accident.
Why a Crash Report Matters After a Lakeland Accident
A crash report is typically one of the first records that is connected to an accident. It is also one of the main documents insurance companies review when deciding how to handle a claim for damages from a wreck. Lawyers also use these reports as they begin investigating what took place.
A Florida crash report may include:
- The date, time, and location of the crash
- Names and contact information for drivers
- Insurance information
- Vehicle descriptions
- Statements from drivers or witnesses
- Road and weather conditions
- Whether the police officer issues any traffic citations
- Information about injuries or deaths
The report may not decide fault by itself, but it can provide an important starting point for a case.
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Ways to Get a Crash Report in Lakeland, Florida
Several agencies may handle crash reports in Lakeland, depending on who responded to the accident.
Requesting a Report Online
Many people order their report online because it is often the fastest option. Florida traffic crash reports are usually available through the FLHSMV traffic crash reports page after the report becomes available.
If you look for a report on that site, you may need the following information:
- The crash date
- The report number
- A driver’s name
- The accident location
- The investigating agency
Online requests may involve a small fee.
Getting a Report From the Lakeland Police Department
If the Lakeland Police Department investigated the crash, you may also request the report through its Records and Information section.
A local request may help if:
- The crash happened inside Lakeland’s city limits.
- You need help locating the report.
- You want additional records related to the accident.
Requesting a Report From the Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Some crashes that happen outside Lakeland’s city limits may involve the Polk County Sheriff’s Office instead of city police. This may be the case when the collision occurred in:
- Unincorporated areas
- County roads
- Areas outside the city’s jurisdiction
Checking to see which agency responded to the accident scene can save time during the request process.
How Long Does It Take for a Lakeland Crash Report to Become Available?
Many crash reports in Florida become available within several days, though serious collisions may take longer. The following reports may require additional investigation before the final report becomes available:
- Fatal crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Criminal investigations
- Hit-and-run collisions
- DUI allegations
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What if You Cannot Find Your Lakeland Crash Report?
Sometimes, people do not have all the details connected to the accident. That can make the search process harder, especially after a stressful crash. If you cannot find the report right away, try to gather details such as:
- The approximate crash date
- The general location of the collision
- Names connected to the accident
- The responding police agency
- Insurance information related to the crash
Even partial information may help the agency locate the report. In some situations, the report may still be processing or waiting for approval before release.
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Who Can Access a Crash Report in Florida?
Florida law limits who can access certain crash reports during the first 60 days after the accident.
People who may access the report include:
- Drivers involved in the crash
- Passengers
- Vehicle owners
- Insurance companies
- Attorneys representing injured people
After the restricted period ends, many reports become publicly available.
What to Do After Getting Your Lakeland Crash Report
When you get the report, review it carefully and keep a copy for your records. You may also want to do the following:
- Take photos of injuries and vehicle damage.
- Save medical bills and repair estimates.
- Avoid discussing fault publicly.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Seek medical care if symptoms appear later.
Early documentation often becomes important in Florida injury claims.
What if the Crash Report Contains Incorrect Information?
Crash reports can contain mistakes. You may notice incorrect insurance information, wrong vehicle descriptions, misspelled names, missing witness information, and incorrect statements.
A person usually cannot rewrite the report themselves, but they may contact the investigating officer about corrections or supplemental information.
Can You File an Insurance Claim Without a Crash Report?
A missing report does not automatically prevent you from pursuing damages after an accident. However, not having a report can create additional challenges for your claim.
Insurance companies may question when and where the crash happened or who caused the collision. They may even challenge whether the injuries came from the accident. Other evidence may still help support a claim. This can include:
- Photographs
- Video clips
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Surveillance video footage
How Crash Reports Help in Different Florida Accident Cases
Reports for accidents that occurred in and around Lakeland can become especially important in more complicated accident cases, such as:
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck crashes often require larger investigations. Our Lakeland truck accident lawyers may use the crash report alongside other pieces of evidence, such as driver logs, black box data, inspection records, maintenance records, and company safety records.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes can leave riders with serious injuries and disputes about fault. Our Lakeland motorcycle accident lawyers may use the crash report together with photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, helmet damage, and medical records while investigating what happened.
Rideshare Accidents
Crashes involving Uber and Lyft vehicles can involve several insurance policies at once. Our Lakeland rideshare accident lawyers may use the crash report to help determine:
- Whether the rideshare app was active when the accident happened
- Which driver was involved
- Whether passengers were present
- Which insurance coverage may apply
Hit and Run Accidents
A report may document:
- The time of the crash
- Witness descriptions
- Vehicle details
- The police officer’s observations
This information may help during uninsured motorist claims after a hit-and-run collision.
Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Accidents
Disputes over insurance can become even more complicated when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage or doesn’t have coverage at all. A crash report in Lakeland may help identify:
- Information about what insurance is or isn’t available
- Details about the driver
- Statements about fault
- Road and weather conditions
Talk to Our Team About Your Lakeland Crash Report
A report about an accident in Lakeland is a significant piece of evidence, but it is only one part of a case. Insurance companies can still disagree over injuries, fault for the crash, medical treatment, or damages after a report becomes available.
Brooks Law Group handles many types of Florida accident cases. Our Lakeland personal injury lawyers understand how crash reports affect insurance claims and how insurers can challenge any details in them.
Look to Brooks® to learn more about how to get a crash report for an accident in Lakeland and how you or a loved one may be able to move forward on a claim for damages. When you call us, your consultation is free, and we don’t receive payment unless you recover your losses.
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