Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law | July 2, 2024 | Car Accident
So, you were involved in a car accident in Orlando, Florida. You got the other driver’s information and insurance details, but neither one of you filed a police report at the time. Now, you might be wondering, “Can you file an accident claim without a police report?”
The short answer is “yes.” However, not having a police report can complicate the situation. Here is what you need to know about filling a car accident claim without a police report in Orlando, FL.
Why Do You Want a Police Report After an Accident?
Having a police report can help with your claim. When a police officer responds to the scene of the accident, they record important information about the accident, such as:
- The other driver’s information
- Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Diagrams of the accident scene
- Road and weather conditions
- Whether the other driver was cited for the accident
This is a valuable, objective piece of documentation that can help later with your insurance claim. Because Florida is a no-fault state for car insurance, you can receive payment from your insurance company for your damages, even if you were at fault for the accident.
Depending on the nature of your crash, you could also be entitled to additional compensation by filing a lawsuit or insurance claim against the other driver.
In either event, getting a copy of the accident report is possible by requesting it online from the Orlando Police Department.
What Can Happen if You Don’t Have a Police Report?
Some potential problems that can arise if you don’t have a police report include:
- The other driver can deny that the accident happened. The other driver might claim the accident didn’t happen as a way to avoid possible liability, which can give the insurance company a reason to deny the claim.
- The other driver can blame you for the accident. The other driver may have convinced you not to report the accident and promised to pay for your damages. But when the insurance company contacts them, they may claim you were at fault for the accident. The other driver may go so far as to sue you for the accident.
- You can be cited. Florida law requires drivers to report any accident they are involved in that results in injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more. Failing to uphold these duties can result in a noncriminal traffic citation.
You can avoid these potential issues by reporting the accident.
Filing a Report After the Accident
Even if police did not initially respond to the accident, you may still be able to report it. Florida law requires that individuals involved in a crash that does not require a police response to report the collision to the appropriate law enforcement agency within ten days of the crash.
Can I File a Claim Without a Police Report?
Even if you don’t have a police report, you can still file an insurance claim. There may be many valid reasons why you don’t have a police report, such as the police didn’t respond to the accident, you had to leave the scene to get immediate medical treatment, or you were not aware someone hit your car and drove off.
Even if you simply forgot or were too scared to call the police, you can still make a claim with your insurance company for the damages you sustained.
How To File a Claim Without a Police Report
Now that you know the answer to “Can you claim an accident without a police report?” let’s walk through the process of filing your insurance claim. You will need to report the accident to your insurance company. You may be asked to provide evidence of the accident and your damages.
Before you go any further in the claim process, consider consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer for assistance. Insurance companies may try various tactics to deny or devalue your claim. A lawyer can protect your interests.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Insurance Claim
When you do not have a police report, your case may be more complicated. You may find that the insurance company tries to deny your claim or questions your version of events.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you file an insurance claim without a police report, handle communication with the insurance company on your behalf, and protect your rights. Get started by reaching out for a free consultation.
Contact a car accident lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Today
For more information, please contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve all throughout Central Florida, including Orange County and Brevard County. We have five convenient locations in Orlando, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Titusville.
Orlando, FL Office
964 Lake Baldwin Ln Ste. 200,
Orlando, FL 32814, United States
407-801-3000
Palm Bay, FL Office
4620 Lipscomb Street N.E Suite #3K,
Palm Bay, FL 32905, United States
321-677-5964
Melbourne, FL Office
1600 W Eau Gallie Blvd #205j,
Melbourne, FL 32935, United States
321-450-7134
Cocoa, FL Office
717 S Cocoa Blvd STE 203,
Cocoa, FL 32922, United States
321-449-8042
Titusville, FL Office
4527 S Hopkins Ave Suite B,
Titusville, FL 32780, United States
407-801-3000