How to Read Your Florida Car Accident Report

An experienced Orlando lawyer who know how to get results

If you are involved in a car accident in Florida, the police should be called to the scene. One reason is they can make sure everybody is safe and gets medical attention. Another reason is that they can fill out an accident report documenting the crash. This report is known as the Florida Traffic Crash Report.

Attorney Michael Cerasa of The Cerasa Law Firm LLC knows how to read these reports and which information can help your case. Your accident report is an important piece of evidence that can help determine the amount of financial compensation you receive. It is often used to help determine who was at fault for the crash.

Be sure to get a copy of this report as soon as you can after your accident. Attorney Cerasa can go over it with you to make sure all of the information is correct. He can also explain your legal options for recovering compensation and answer any questions you have. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Florida Traffic Crash Report

Page 1

This page lists the date, time and location of the accident. There is also very specific information about the road where it happened – for example, if it’s a highway or street, whether the shoulder is paved or unpaved, and how far away the accident location is from an intersection.

Another section is used to document light conditions, weather conditions, roadway surface conditions, the type of collision and whether the accident involved a work zone or school bus.

There is also a place to list names and contact information for witnesses and a section to list any non vehicle property damage.

Narrative Page

The investigating officer will write out a description of how the accident happened. There is also a section to list any additional passengers who were involved in the crash. The name and badge number of the investigating officer will be listed at the bottom of the page.

Diagram Page

The investigating officer will draw a pictorial diagram of the crash. It will include the location, road names, and an arrow indicating which direction is north. Each vehicle’s position prior to, during and after the crash will noted.

Vehicle Page

There will be a page for each vehicle involved in the accident, and a number will be assigned to each vehicle for purposes of the report. A box in the top left indicates what the vehicle was doing at the time of the crash.

Each page will list the vehicle’s make, model, style, color, license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). There is a section to note the area of impact during the crash.

Other sections include “Vehicle Maneuver Action” and “Vehicle Defects” sections, which help explain the vehicle’s role in the crash.

The bottom of the page lists any citations for traffic violations that were given to a person in the vehicle.

Person Page

There will be a page for each person involved in the accident, and a number will be assigned to each person or purposes of the report. In the top left, the officer will note whether the person was a driver, non-motorist (such as a pedestrian) or passenger.

Each page will list the person’s name and contact information. If the person was a driver, there will also be driver license information. The officer will note any distractions or obstructions by the driver. There will also be information about actions taken by the driver as well as the driver’s condition at the time of the crash (for example, sick or under the influence of alcohol).

There will also be additional information about non-motorists and passengers, as appropriate.

Alcohol or drug testing information will also be listed on this page, as well as information about any additional passengers.

Click here to download a printable PDF of How To Read Your Florida Car Accident Report.