Hundreds of thousands of police reports are filed annually in the United States. Most people who have been involved in a car accident file a report to ensure they have it as evidence if needed during a claim.
Yet, in Florida, a police report isn’t always required to file a claim. This begs the question: can you file a lawsuit or insurance claim without a police report in Florida?
In our article, the team at Hancock Injury Attorneys has explained if you can file a claim without a police report. We’ve also taken the time to share the Florida requirements for reporting a claim and if your insurance will still pay out if you haven’t filed a police report after a car accident.
After reading what we’ve shared, you can speak with our firm if you need to hire an attorney.
Can You File A Claim With No Police Report In Florida?
Simply put, you can file a personal injury claim in Florida without a police report, but you should expect it to be far more challenging to prove your case.
If there isn’t a police report of the car accident, the at-fault driver could deny knowing anything about the collision. They could also lie and say that they were not involved in the auto crash that resulted in you sustaining injuries. Worse yet, the liable driver could also say that you were at fault for the auto accident.
Sadly, without a police report detailing who was involved, what happened, where, and when it happened, you’ll need significant evidence proving that the other driver caused the accident. In addition, you will also need to prove that you sustained severe injuries to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver according to Florida’s no-fault insurance laws.
Thus, it’s usually best to report a car accident to the police immediately so that you have a police report. After all, it’s better to have the report and not need it than to require it and not have access to it.
What Are The Florida Requirements Surrounding Reporting A Car Accident To The Police?
Even though you might be able to file a vehicle accident claim without a police report, and a minor accident in Florida doesn’t require one, there are some situations where filing a police report is mandatory. For example, if you were involved in an auto accident and your vehicle was so damaged that it had to be towed away from the scene, you will need to file a police report.
Additionally, you will also need to file a police report within ten days of the accident:
- Causes over $500 in damages
- Blocks traffic
- Results in you sustaining injuries or fatalities.
- Was caused by a driver consuming drugs or alcohol
But, these are not the only instances in that a police report is mandatory. Your attorney can help explain the additional circumstances that might need a police report to be filed shortly after a crash.
Will Your Insurance Cover Your Accident Without A Police Report?
Despite what you might have been led to believe, you can still receive compensation from your insurance after an auto accident if you didn’t file a police report.
Yet, every insurance policy is different; some might have specific inclusions or exclusions that call for a police report to be filed. Fortunately, an attorney can help you understand your insurance policy and help you file a claim for injuries and property damages.
Get In Touch With A Florida Car Accident Attorney To Discuss Your Police Report
As you now know, you can file a claim without a police report in Florida, but it’s better to have one than not. Fortunately, if you file a police report and need it for your insurance claim or lawsuit, a car accident lawyer at Hancock Injury Attorneys can help you obtain it.
With this police report, we can build you a stronger case while you focus on your recovery. So contact us today, and we’ll help you learn everything you should know about how a police report can influence your case.