Florida Accident Reporting Requirements (2026)

When You Must Report a Car Accident in Florida

Florida accident reporting requirements state that you must report the accident if it led to injuries, death or property damage of $500 or more. Additionally, any hit-and-run crash or collision involving someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol also needs to be reported.

A report may be necessary, too, if you need to call a wrecker to remove the vehicle or if a commercial vehicle is involved.

How Soon After an Accident Must You Report It

Accidents that cause injuries, death or property damage of $500 or more need to be reported within 10 days of the collision. If you call the police to the scene, the officer will file the report, but you will still need to let your insurer know.

It’s also possible to file a report yourself if law enforcement did not come to the scene. You must still do this within 10 days.

Who to Report Your Accident To

You should call emergency services if you’re in a collision. They will send medical personnel and law enforcement to the scene. This saves you the trouble of needing to file a report yourself later.

If you were in a minor accident that doesn’t meet Florida accident reporting requirements but you still wish to report it, you can do so at the police station closest to where the accident occurred or to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

How to File a Florida Crash Report

In instances when you choose to file the report yourself, you can do so online. You will need to fill out the Driver Report of a Traffic Crash and include as much information as possible regarding the accident. You can then email it to the FLHSMV.

Alternatively, you can send the crash report by mail. You’ll need to use the same Driver Report of a Traffic Crash form and mail it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Records, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS #28, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

Information Required for Accident Reports

If the accident you were involved in meets the Florida accident reporting requirements, you will need to provide the following information:

• Date, time and location of the accident
• Name and contact information of all parties involved
• Insurance and vehicle information for all parties involved
• Names and contact information of witnesses
• Detailed explanation of injuries and other losses

If there was an officer at the site of the accident, they can gather all of this information and add it to the report.

Insurance Reporting Requirements

Because Florida has a no-fault system for car accidents, you are required to let your insurer know that you were in a crash. You will need to do this as quickly as possible, as not doing so could cause you to miss out on valuable compensation.

This is because when you signed the contract with your insurer, you likely agreed to promptly report any collisions. Since it’s a contractual obligation, not respecting it could mean not receiving the coverage you need for vehicular repairs and medical expenses. In some instances, you could fully lose insurance coverage.

Exceptions to Florida Reporting Requirements

Florida accident reporting requirements generally don’t apply if the accident was minor and didn’t result in property damage of $500 or more or injuries. Keep in mind that you may not be able to immediately tell if the property damage is enough to require reporting, so it is usually in your best interests to report the accident.

Penalties for Not Reporting an Accident

If you fail to obey Florida traffic laws and reporting requirements, you could face significant penalties. These are not criminal penalties, but they do involve fines and even points on your license. You could also encounter issues with your insurer because they could deny you coverage.

It can be much more difficult to begin any kind of personal injury claim, too. You may not have the police report you need to file, which could also make it challenging for you to demonstrate that the losses you sustained were the direct result of the crash.

Get Legal Help With Your Florida Accident Report

If you experience a crash in Florida, it’s crucial to ensure that law enforcement gets to the scene and an accident report is filed. By meeting state reporting requirements, you can avoid fines and issues with your insurer, as well as protect your right to pursue a personal injury claim.

Need help getting started on a claim or figuring out whether your accident qualifies as reportable? At ConsumerShield, we can match you with leading lawyers in your area who can help you explore your options. Fill out our easy contact form for a free case review today.