Police Report FAQs

If you are injured in a car accident, is the police report admissible in a Florida court?​

Why is a police report considered hearsay?

The police report can yield valuable information that you can use in your settlement negotiation with an insurance company. For Example:

• If the police report states the other driver was at fault, you can use that as leverage in your settlement.

The police report can also contain other valuable information such as:

• The date of the car accident
• The weather conditions
• The names of witnesses
• The specific location of the accident

Does this mean I should not report a car accident to the police?

How can a police report help my injury claim?

Not every car accident claim requires the use of an attorney. Claims that involve only personal property damage can probably be settled on your own. However, it doesn't hurt to consult with an attorney. You need to protect yourself in case injuries manifest later. We offer free car accident consultations and we'll help you find the right attorney even if we can't take your case.

Areas Served in Florida

Police Report Admissibility in Florida Courts

Florida Auto Accident Attorneys

Do I even need a Car Accident Attorney?

No! In fact, Florida Statute § 316.066 outlines several cases in which a traffic accident must be reported to the police.

Further police reports can yield valuable information about your accident that you will then be able to use to support your claim in either a settlement negotiation or in court.

Hearsay is an out of court statement that is offered in court to prove the truth of the statement. Generally, a police report is considered hearsay because the police officer did not observe the accident, they are simply recording the conversations they've had with parties to the accident or witnesses.

The Florida Supreme Court has held that Police Reports are considered hearsay, and are generally inadmissible in a court of law. Although they may become part of the court record.