Where Do I Get a Police Report after an Accident?
If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, you’re going to need clear evidence to bring your strongest claim, and one piece in this puzzle is the police report. If you aren’t sure how to go about obtaining a police report, you’ll be glad to know that the process isn’t complicated. Another important step to take is reaching out for the skilled legal guidance of an experienced Tampa car accident attorney who is standing by to help ensure you obtain the compensation to which you’re entitled.
Your Police Report
In the Sunshine State, a car accident report is considered confidential for the first 60 days following its related accident. This means that obtaining a report in this time frame requires a sworn statement – along with all the following:
- A copy of your current photo ID
- Proof of exemption regarding confidentiality, which allows you access
- Your case number
Involved parties include:
- An involved driver
- The involved driver’s car accident attorney, who can obtain the report on your behalf
- The involved driver’s insurance provider
Requesting Your Report
You can seek a copy of your police report online, on the phone, in person, or by mail for a small fee and copy costs. There are also third-party providers with their own pricing policies.
Online
To obtain a copy of the accident report online, head to Police Records and Online Reporting and hit the Request a Copy of a Report Online button. You’ll need to include the required information, and your sworn statement must be notarized by either a notary public or by a certified law enforcement or correctional officer.
By Phone
To obtain a copy of your police report by phone, you can call the Tampa Police Department Headquarters at 813-276-3250. From here, simply choose #6 from the menu to speak with a live records clerk – pay attention to the recorded instructions to ensure that their menu hasn’t changed.
In Person
You can also pick up a copy of your police report at the Tampa Police Department Headquarters at this address:
One Police Center
Records Station – on the second floor
411 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
Their primary phone number is 813-276-3250, and their hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM on Monday through Friday.
By Mail
Finally, you can obtain a copy of your police report by mail. To do so, you’ll need to send a copy of your ID, your case number, your notarized sworn statement, a check made out to the Tampa Police Department in the required amount – call ahead to determine – and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to this address:
Tampa Police Department Headquarters
Attn: Records Station
411 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
Turn to an Experienced Tampa Car Accident Attorney for the Help You Need
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver, the trusted Tampa car accident attorneys at Matthews Injury Law have the experience and legal insight to help you obtain fair compensation that covers your complete physical, financial, and emotional losses. To learn more, please contact us online or call 813-530-1000