One moment you are sitting at a red light, the next you feel a jolt and hear crunching metal. Your heart races, and alongside the shock comes a simple question: Do you really have to call the police?
At Zweben Law Group, we have guided drivers in Stuart and throughout Florida for more than 25 years, so we know how confusing the rules can feel right after a crash. This article walks you through the legal duties and the real-world fallout of skipping a required report, giving you the knowledge to protect your rights and your wallet.
Florida Law About Reporting Car Accidents
Florida does not leave accident reporting to chance. State lawmakers created clear duties so that law enforcement, insurers, and injured people have a record of what happened. The main rule sits inside Florida Statute 316.066, which says you must contact law enforcement right away if a crash involves injury, loss of life, or apparent property damage of at least $500.
This duty applies to every driver, regardless of who caused the wreck. Waiting until later or hoping the other driver will handle it does not satisfy the law. A quick phone call to 911, the local police department, the county sheriff, or *Star FHP (*347) on a cell phone is usually enough to start the official report.
When Are You Required to Report an Accident in Florida?
Not every fender bender reaches the legal threshold, yet many do. The three situations below trigger the mandatory report rule.
Accidents Involving Injury or Death
If anyone involved feels pain, bleeds, or loses consciousness, you must notify law enforcement. A small bruise or sore neck still counts as a bodily injury. The same rule applies, without exception, when a crash results in a fatality.
Accidents Involving Significant Property Damage
The $500 limit sounds high until you see modern repair bills. A dented bumper, cracked headlight, or bent fence post can exceed that amount in an instant. Because estimating costs on the roadside is nearly impossible, most car accident attorneys urge drivers to call the police anytime there is visible damage.
● A single airbag deployment often results in repairs exceeding $2,000.
● Paintwork on one panel can run $600 or more.
● Towing a disabled car may add another $150 to $200.
Given those numbers, phoning the police almost always saves you headaches later.
Exceptions to the Reporting Requirement
If officers choose not to investigate, Florida asks each driver to self-report to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within ten days. You can download form HSMV 90011S, complete it, then email SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov or mail the form to Tallahassee. Keep a copy for your records and any insurance claim.
Knowing when to report is only half the story. Next, let’s look at what can go wrong if you skip the phone call.
Consequences of Failing to Report a Car Accident
Ignoring the duty to report may feel harmless at the moment, yet the aftershocks can last for years. They fall into three main categories.
Legal Penalties
Failing to file a required report is a non-moving violation that carries a fine of roughly $30 plus court costs. Leaving the scene when someone is badly hurt or killed is much more severe, carrying felony charges and possible prison time.
Insurance Complications
Almost every auto policy demands that you notify the carrier “promptly” after a crash. Skipping that step allows the insurer to argue that you breached your contract, giving them grounds to deny coverage, cancel the policy, or refuse renewal.
Even if your claim proceeds, the absence of a police report slows the process. Adjusters may spend weeks chasing statements and photos that an officer would have gathered in minutes.
Challenges in Establishing Fault and Seeking Compensation
A police report locks in witness names, roadway positions, and weather details. Without it, memories fade, skid marks vanish, and surveillance video may be erased. When you later try to prove that another driver drifted into your lane or ran a red light, the missing report becomes a glaring gap.
| Crash Outcome | Who Files | Deadline | Statute |
| Injury or death | Any driver | Immediately via law enforcement | §316.066(1)(a) |
| Property damage ≥ $500 | Any driver | Immediately via law enforcement | §316.066(1)(a) |
| Police decline investigation | Each driver | 10 days to FLHSMV | §316.066(1)(e) |
With the stakes in mind, the next section shows exactly how to create a solid record from day one.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting a Car Accident in Florida
Following a straightforward routine helps keep you safe and ensures compliance with all legal requirements.
At the Scene of the Accident
First, move to a safe spot if your car can roll and it is safe to do so. Check yourself, passengers, and anyone else for injuries.
Next, call law enforcement. Let the operator know the location, the number of vehicles, and whether medical help is needed.
● Exchange names, phone numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, and insurance details.
● Use your phone to photograph vehicle positions, damage, road signs, and any visible injuries.
A few extra minutes of careful documentation often pay off later during settlement talks.
Filing a Report
If officers respond, confirm that they will submit the long-form crash report. Ask for the report number before leaving the scene. If no officer arrives, download the Driver Report of Traffic Crash form and send it to FLHSMV within ten days, using email or regular mail. Keep proof of delivery.
Notifying Your Insurance Company
Call your own carrier as soon as you are calm and have the basic facts. Provide the date, time, location, and report number if available. Do not guess about injuries or fault; just give the facts you know.
Even with a clear plan, sometimes the other driver tries to steer you away from reporting. Here is why you should resist that request.
When the Other Driver Asks You Not to Report the Accident
Some drivers plead for a private cash deal, promising to “handle everything.” They may be uninsured, driving on a suspended license, or hiding drugs or alcohol. You cannot predict their motives, and you remain legally responsible for reporting when required by the rules.
Politely explain that Florida law leaves you no choice. Then proceed with the steps above. If the other driver insists or becomes angry, wait inside your vehicle with the doors locked until officers arrive.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Zweben Law Group Today!
When a crash leaves you hurt, medical bills and insurance calls can pile up fast. Zweben Law Group has focused on personal injury cases for more than two decades, and we stand ready to fight for fair compensation. Call us at 772-223-5454 or visit our Contact Us page to set up a free consultation. We charge no fees unless we win, and our team is committed to going the extra mile for every client.
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