When you are involved in a West Palm Beach car accident, life can get a bit more complicated. Obtaining an accident report can be a process, especially in West Palm Beach. From navigating the bureaucratic procedures to dealing with legal jargon, trying to obtain an accident report on your own can be overwhelming. Having to deal with this task while recovering from injuries can be exhausting.
The good news is that Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced team of West Palm Beach car accident lawyers understands the intricacies involved in obtaining accident reports and can take over this process for you or guide you through it.
We are dedicated to helping you get the documentation you need to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. Call our office at (561) 556-2813 to schedule a no-obligation case consultation today.
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Why Choose Us to Handle Your West Palm Beach Car Accident Case
When it comes to handling your West Palm Beach car accident case, you deserve the best legal representation to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we have been committed to helping accident and injury victims since 1996. Here’s why you should choose us:
Experience and Skill
Our lead attorney, Gregg Hollander, has a Justia rating of 10.0 and has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is a Florida native with a passion for helping injured victims seek the justice they deserve.
With extensive experience in personal injury law, our team has the knowledge and skills to handle even the most complex car accident cases. We have a proven track record of success, having recovered tens of millions of dollars in monetary awards for our clients through private settlement deals and favorable jury verdicts at trial.
Compassion and Support
We understand that going through a car accident can be a traumatic and challenging experience. That’s why we provide our clients with not only top-notch legal representation but also a source of comfort and support during these difficult times.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we are driven by empathy and compassion, ensuring that you are treated with care and respect throughout the legal process.
Giving Back to the Community
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we believe in giving back to the community. We donate a portion of our time and annual profits to prominent charities and nonprofits in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. It’s our honor to contribute to the well-being of the community that we serve.
Free Car Accident Consultations
We understand that every car accident case is unique, and you may have specific questions and concerns. That’s why our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call and schedule a free consultation to talk about your case. During the consultation, we will listen to your whole story and provide you with professional advice on the best course of action.
Our West Palm Beach office is conveniently located south of Providencia Park and north of the Woodlawn Cemetery at:
319 Clematis St #203,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-2813
Florida’s Vehicle Crash Statistics
Florida sees a significant number of car accidents every year, and having access to accident reports is crucial for resolving these cases.
According to the latest data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2022, there were nearly 159,000 injury crashes and over 3,100 fatal crashes in the state. Florida law enforcement officers prepared accident reports for all of these crashes, providing detailed information about what happened and who was involved.
Additionally, there were over 386,000 traffic accidents in Florida in 2022. Of the approximately 224,000 crashes that caused property damage only (PDO), most resulted in over $500 in damage. Even minor body damage, like a new bumper, can run at least $300 up to several thousand dollars, depending on the vehicle.
With a $500 threshold for property damage, you can assume that Florida law enforcement officers prepared crash reports for most of the 224,000 PDO crashes. These reports are key in determining liability and seeking compensation for injuries and damages sustained in car accidents.
What are Florida’s Car Accident Report Requirements?
Florida law requires drivers to call the police after any accident that causes death, injury, or property damage over $500. Never handle minor accidents without involving the authorities, as accident reports play a vital role in establishing fault and resolving insurance claims.
When you contact the police after a car accident, they will come to the scene and assess the situation. They will gather information from involved parties, witnesses, and any available evidence. This information will be used to prepare the accident report, which outlines the details of the accident and the parties involved.
Having an accident report can be beneficial in many ways. It serves as official incident documentation, provides essential information for insurance claims, and can act as evidence in legal proceedings if necessary. Without an accident report, you might not prove fault and seek the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in West Palm Beach, contact the police and obtain an accident report. This report will serve as a foundation for your case, helping you establish your claim.
How Do You Obtain Your Car Accident Report in West Palm Beach, FL?
After a police officer investigates your crash, they must prepare and file a crash report within ten days. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has a central database of all crash reports made within the state. Police and other law enforcement agencies and departments transmit accident reports electronically to the FLHSMV once they are finished.
Usually, your crash report will be made available through this database about ten days after your accident, but the timing can vary. There are two ways you can obtain a copy of your report:
Use the Florida Crash Report Portal
The Florida Crash Report Portal, managed by the FLHSMV, is the only source used for crash reports from the Florida Highway Patrol and the West Palm Beach Police Department. You can also access reports from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office through this portal.
To get a copy of your report, you need to provide information to identify your crash and submit an electronic signature that verifies that one of the following facts:
- You were involved in the accident the report pertains to
- You owned a vehicle or property damaged in the crash the report pertains to
- You are employed or contracted by an insurer of a vehicle or property involved in the crash the report pertains to
- You represent an individual injured or killed in the accident the report pertains to
Such verification allows you to access the crash report within 60 days of the accident. However, if you access your report more than 60 days after the crash, it legally becomes a public record, and your verification won’t be required.
Go Through The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Some Florida law enforcement agencies will provide copies of crash reports directly to those who request them. However, you can’t get a crash report from the West Palm Beach Police Department or the Florida Highway Patrol directly.
But you can get a report directly from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. To get a copy of your crash report, you are required to submit the same verification stating you fall within the statutory categories that permit you to access the report.
The Value of Your Crash Report
Unfortunately, crash reports alone are usually categorized as inadmissible hearsay in court. However, your lawyer can use the crash report for your insurance claim, which does not adhere to the court’s strict rules of evidence.
Additionally, the crash report may also lead your lawyer to admissible evidence. When you hire a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer from our firm, rest assured that we will leave no stone unturned when searching for facts and evidence.
Crash reports can provide valuable information, such as:
- A list of witnesses, their statements about what they observed, and their contact information so your lawyer can depose them if necessary
- Accident diagrams
- Narrative explanations from the responding officer(s) about how the crash occurred
- A list of any traffic citations that were issued in the accident
Your West Palm Beach accident lawyer can use the report to gather eyewitness testimony and provide the diagram and explanation to an expert witness to reconstruct the crash.
Other Valuable Pieces of Evidence in Your Car Accident Case
While accident reports are important in car accident cases, they are not the only evidence that can strengthen your claim. Gathering additional evidence can significantly improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
When you hire a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer from Hollander Law Firm, they will take the lead on gathering valuable evidence for your claim.
Here are some other valuable pieces of evidence to consider:
Witness Statements
Eyewitness testimony can play a significant role in establishing fault in a car accident case. If there were witnesses present at the scene, their accounts of the accident can provide valuable insight into what happened and help support your version of events.
Photographs and Videos
Capturing visual evidence of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road conditions can be invaluable in a car accident case. If there were traffic cameras or surveillance cameras nearby, your attorney can check to see if they captured the accident and request the footage if possible.
Medical Records
If you sustained injuries in a car accident, keep a record of all medical treatments and expenses related to your injuries. Collect medical records, doctor’s reports, and receipts for medications, treatments, and therapies. These records will help demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the associated costs.
Expert Opinions
In some cases, seeking expert opinions to support your claim can help. For example, accident reconstruction experts can analyze the evidence and provide professional opinions on how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
Or, if your injuries were severe, you may need financial experts to prove the extent of your current and future—economic damages. Consulting with medical experts can also help establish the long-term impacts of your injuries and the necessary medical treatments.
All of these additional pieces of evidence, along with the accident report, can strengthen your case and increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and damages. With one of our knowledgeable lawyers on your side, rest assured that your case will have the evidence it needs to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Seasoned West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer at Hollander Law Firm Today
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in West Palm Beach, be sure to seek legal representation to protect your rights and secure the evidence you need for a successful claim.
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to guide you through your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We can obtain the car accident report on your behalf, gleaning valuable information from it to help your injury claim. They can also identify and track down additional documents or evidence that will support your case.
Don’t let the stress and complexities of obtaining an accident report or other evidence and handling a car accident case overwhelm you. Contact Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers at (561) 556-2813 for a free consultation.
Our team is available 24/7 to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide reliable, trustworthy assistance every step of the way. Let us handle the legal aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
Remember, you don’t have to face this challenging time alone. Reach out to Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers today.
