How Do You Self Report An Accident In Florida? – 5 Things To Keep In Mind
If you are involved in a traffic crash in Florida, it is important to know how to properly report the incident. Failing to follow the correct procedures can result in delays and even further complications down the road. How do you self report an accident in Florida? In this article, we will outline five things you need to keep in mind as you prepare this crash report for a law enforcement agency in Florida.
Writing a Self Report about an accident in Florida
Writing a self report is not something you expect people to do often. If you find yourself to be in a car accident or other traffic card incident, there are cases when a self report is expected from your end.
1. When is a self report applicable?
If the damage to your vehicle is less than $500 or there are no injuries, you can file a self report. You will not be able to do this if the accident resulted in serious injuries or death, or if there was more than $500 in damages. Instead, you will expect law enforcement officer completing the report for the parties involved.
If commercial motor vehicles are involved in the incident, you will not be able to file a self report regardless of the extent of the damage or injuries. Instead, the driver or the company who owns the vehicle in the traffic crash will be required to file such.
If the traffic incident is a type of bus accident, then the person required to file a self report is the owner, operator or lessee of the bus. Are passengers required to do so? No, they are not. However, you may interviewed to complete the Florida Highway Patrol crash reports and help establish the facts of the incident.
When in doubt, you can always have a free consultation with Jared Spingarn P.A. They can accommodate your legal questions and give you proper assistance.
2. What is the time limit to file a self report in Florida?
You must file your self report within ten days of the date of the accident. If you don’t, then you may face penalties from the state, including a possible license suspension.
If you think you are entitled to any claims arising from the crash occurred, contact Jared’s personal injury lawyers now to start your legal claims process.
3. How do I file my self report?
You can file your self report to the Florida department concerned in person, by mail or online.
To do so in person, you will need to go to the nearest Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office. You will be required to show identification, such as a driver’s license, and complete the accident report form.
If you opt to mail your self report, you will need to send it to the address below:
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Bureau of Records
- 2900 Apalachee Parkway MS 90
- Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0575
To file your self report online, you will need to visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. You will be required to create an account and provide some personal information, such as your driver’s license number. Once you have completed the online form, you will be able to download and print a copy of your self report for your records.
4. What should I include in my self report?
How do you self report an accident in Florida accurately? As you gather the crash data, be sure to include the following information:
- Your name, address, driver’s license number and insurance information
- The date, time and location of the accident
- A description of what happened
- The names and contact information of any witnesses
- The make, model, color and license plate number of the other vehicle involved in the accident
By following these five tips, you can be sure that you are properly reporting your accident to the concerned Florida department.
Remember, if you are ever unsure of what to do or have any questions regarding a crash report, you can always contact Jared’s experienced lawyers for guidance.
5. What is the next step after filing an accident self report?
After you have filed your accident self report, the next step is to contact your insurance company. You will need to provide them with a copy of the report and they will begin the claims process.
If you are looking to claim for compensation arising from the reported accident, a lawyer from Jared’s firm can also assist you with this process. In some cases, the other driver’s insurance company may contact you directly. It is important to remember that you are not obligated to give a statement to them and you can always refer them to your attorney.
How to write an accident report for the bus company
If you are a representative of a bus company involved in a traffic crash, there are things you must do by law. You are required to complete an accident report if the bus was involved in a:
- Rollover
- Collision with another vehicle or object
- Spill of cargo onto the roadway
If there are injuries, you must also complete an injury report. This should be done as soon as possible after the accident.
How do you write a collision report for the company? You will need the following information:
- The date, time and location of the accident
- A description of what happened
- The names and contact information of any witnesses
- The make, model, color and license plate number of the other vehicle involved in the accident (if applicable)
- The name, address and insurance information of the bus driver
- The names and contact information of any passengers who were injured
After the report is completed, it must be sent to the Florida department stated above. The whole process may be confusing. To help you handle the crash report, you may contact Jared Spingarn. P.A. for free consultation today.
The importance of a self report
There are reasons why it is important to file a self report as soon as possible. The first reason is to avoid having your insurance rates go up. In most states, if you are involved in an accident and it is determined that you were at fault, your insurance rates will increase. By submitting your own crash report of the accident and accurately reflect your side of the incident, you can avoid this potential rate hike.
The second reason is to avoid any legal complications. If you are involved in an accident and the other party decides to file a lawsuit, the self report can be used as evidence in your defense. This is especially true if the other party was at fault.
Third, self reporting an accident can help speed up the claims process. If you are filing a claim with your insurance company, they will likely request a copy of the police report. By self reporting the accident, you can provide them with this information and avoid any delays in processing your claim.
Fourth, self reporting an accident can help you get your vehicle repaired faster. If you need to have your vehicle towed or repaired, the self report can be used to prove that the accident was not your fault. This can expedite the repair process and get you back on the road sooner.
Finally, self reporting an accident can give you peace of mind. Knowing that you have followed the proper procedures and have all of the necessary documentation can help you feel more confident and in control after an accident.
If you want to be certain and accurate about your self report, you may have a lawyer from Jared Spingarn, P.A. Accident Attorneys in Hallandale Beach draft and prepare it for you. Don’t hesitate to contact them for free consultation.
Other things that should be done alongside the self report
After answering how do you self report an accident in Florida, what else should you prepare and anticipate?
- File an accident Self Report:
The first thing you need to do is file an accident self report with the Florida department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. This can be done online or by mail. The form must be completed within ten days of the accident and includes basic information about what happened, as well as the contact information for all parties involved.
- Write a Collision Report:
If there is damage to either vehicle or any injuries sustained, you will also need to write a collision report. This can be done at the scene of the accident or within ten days of the incident. The report must include the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as a description of what happened.
- File an Insurance Claim:
Once you have filed the necessary reports, you will need to file an insurance claim. This can be done online, by phone, or in person. Be sure to have all of the necessary documentation, including the accident report and collision report, before starting the claims process.
- Get a Repair Estimate:
If there is damage to your vehicle, you will need to get a repair estimate. This can be done at a local body shop or through your insurance company. Be sure to get multiple estimates and keep all of the documentation for your records.
- Follow Up With Your Insurance Company:
After you have filed your claim and submitted all of the necessary documentation, it is important to follow up with your insurance company. This will help to ensure that your claim is being processed and that you are on track to get the repairs you need.
If you are overwhelmed by these steps, don’t worry! Jared’s pool of experienced and accommodating legal experts can help you.
What are some things you should avoid after an accident?
It is easy to get flustered after a traffic crash. But, it is important to avoid certain behaviors in order to stay safe and protect your rights.
Some things you should avoid after an accident include:
- Leaving the scene of the accident and be accused of a hit and run crash
- Admitting fault at the scene of the accident
- Failing to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
- Failing to file a police report
- Failing to seek medical attention
Lastly, make sure you are aware of the statute of limitations in your state when it comes to filing an accident claim. In Florida, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
Things you should do after being involved in a bus accident as a passenger
If you have been involved in a bus accident, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, it is important to get the contact information for all of the passengers on the bus. This will be helpful when it comes to filing an insurance claim. Second, be sure to get the contact information for any witnesses who may have seen the accident. This can be used as valuable evidence when filing a claim. Third, take plenty of pictures of the damage to both the bus and your vehicle. This will be helpful in proving the extent of the damage when you file your claim.
Can the bus company make the self report of the accident?
The bus company is required to make a report about the accident involving their commercial motor vehicle, but it is always best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney from Jared’s Law firm to be sure that everything is being handled correctly. The worst thing that could happen is the report that the bus company makes does not accurately represent what really transpired. As a party to the auto accident, you want the report to represent the facts and crash data that will help you get the best possible outcome for your case and possible compensation.
Contact Jared’s experienced bus accident and/or personal injury lawyers to ensure that you will be given the best representation and outcome for your case.
Conclusion
Reporting an accident in Florida does not have to be a difficult task. How do you self report an accident in Florida? If you follow the five simple steps stated above, you can be sure that everything will be taken care of in a timely and efficient manner.
If the incident is a bus accident, be sure to take extra precautions in order to ensure that your claim is handled correctly. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Jared’s team of legal experts. They will be more than happy to assist you through every step of the process. Watch over yourself, protect your rights, and get the best possible outcome for your case by contacting Jared Spingarn today.
>> If you’re involved in a bus accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on our Contact Us page.
