How to Get Your Hialeah Police Department Crash Report After a Car Accident

Ask the officer who responded to your crash for the report number before you leave the scene. Once processed, usually within 10 days, you can get your Hialeah Police Department crash report through the Florida Crash Portal or by contacting the Hialeah Police Records Unit directly at hialeahfl.gov/331/Records-Unit. Under Florida law, only the people involved, their insurers, and their attorneys may obtain the report during the first 60 days after the crash. That is one practical reason to speak with a lawyer early: your attorney can pull the report right away.

Which agency wrote my crash report, Hialeah Police, Miami-Dade Police, or FHP?

The agency that writes your crash report depends on exactly where the collision happened. If your crash occurred inside Hialeah city limits, the Hialeah Police Department likely handled it. Crashes in unincorporated parts of Miami-Dade County fall under the Miami-Dade Police Department. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) often takes reports for crashes on highways like interstates and expressways. That includes the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), though jurisdiction can vary by exact location, verify using the crash address before you request anything. The officer’s badge number or the exchange-of-information card you received at the scene will tell you which agency responded. Requesting from the wrong department delays your access.

What is the 60-day confidentiality window and who can get the report during that time?

Florida Statute § 316.066(1) makes crash reports confidential for the first 60 days after they are filed. During this period, only certain people can get a copy: the drivers, vehicle owners, passengers listed on the report, their insurance companies, and their attorneys. After 60 days, the report becomes a public record anyone can request without restriction. Unlawfully obtaining or sharing a report during the confidential period is a felony under Florida law. Because attorneys are eligible requesters from day one, having legal representation means you do not have to wait to review the official account of what happened.

When is law enforcement required to write a crash report in the first place?

An officer must file a written crash report when a collision causes any injury, even just pain or discomfort, a fatality, or damage that leaves a vehicle unable to drive away. This requirement comes from Florida Statutes § 316.066 and § 316.061. The report must include specific details: the date, time, and location of the crash; descriptions of all vehicles involved; full names and addresses of drivers, passengers, and witnesses; the responding officer’s name, badge number, and agency; and insurance information for every vehicle. These facts form the backbone of any insurance claim or legal action that follows. Without this report, proving key details becomes much harder.

How do I actually get the report, Florida Crash Portal or Hialeah Police Records Unit?

You have two main ways to get your report. First, use the Florida Crash Portal. The fee is generally $10 per report plus a $2 online convenience fee; confirm the current cost on the portal. Enter the crash date, county, driver last name, or report number. Reports usually appear about 10 days after the crash, and you have a limited time to download yours after purchase, so save it right away. Second, go through the Hialeah Police Records Unit. Use their Traffic Crash Report Request Form online if you need a certified copy, have the local report number, or the portal does not yet show your report. Local processing steps and fees should be confirmed directly with the Records Unit. During the first 60 days, you must sign a statement confirming you are an eligible requester, this applies to both methods.

What should I check on the report, and how do I fix an error?

Review these seven key parts carefully: (1) spelling of all names, addresses, and driver’s license numbers; (2) correct insurance policy numbers and company names for every vehicle; (3) the crash diagram, does it match what you saw; (4) any traffic citations issued and to whom; (5) witness names and contact info, if missing, you lose valuable support; (6) the officer’s narrative and cause codes like “failure to yield” or “distracted driving”; and (7) injury severity codes, make sure they reflect your actual condition. Errors in insurance or personal details can delay your PIP claim or weaken your case. To fix mistakes, contact the Hialeah Police Records Unit. The exact correction process should be verified with them directly.

What if the police never came to the scene, and why does your lawyer need this report?

If no officer responded, you may need to file a Driver Report of Traffic Crash (self-report form) yourself with FLHSMV. Check FLHSMV’s site for when this is required and the filing deadline. In these cases, the 911 call recording, which may be requested as a public record from the agency that handled the call, becomes critical evidence. Your lawyer needs the crash report because it anchors both your PIP claim and any claim against the at-fault driver. Under Florida’s PIP law, your own insurer pays 80 percent of reasonable medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages, but only if you see a doctor within 14 days. Insurers use the report to verify dates and coverage. For pain-and-suffering damages, which require proof of a permanent injury under Florida law, the report helps establish liability and identify supporting evidence.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for a Hialeah crash report to show up on the Florida Crash Portal?
Officers generally must submit the report to FLHSMV within 10 days after completing their investigation. Most appear on the portal within that timeframe, but delays can happen. Check back after 10 business days if you do not see it immediately.

Can I get the crash report if I was a passenger, not the driver?
Yes. Passengers listed on the report are eligible to request it during the 60-day confidential period, along with drivers, vehicle owners, insurers, and attorneys.

What if the other driver’s insurance information on the report is wrong?
Incorrect insurance details can delay claims or lead you to the wrong carrier. Contact the Hialeah Police Records Unit to request a correction. Keep your own copy of the other driver’s insurance card as backup.

Does the crash report prove who was at fault?
No. The report is one piece of evidence. Officers often assign “contributing factors” but do not make final legal determinations of fault. Insurance companies and courts decide liability based on all available evidence.

Will my PIP insurance pay even if the crash report isn’t done yet?
Yes. PIP coverage is based on your own policy and your timely medical treatment, not the existence of a police report. You still must see a qualified provider within 14 days of the crash to preserve your benefits.

Related reading: I was in a car accident in Hialeah. What do I do now? · How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Florida? The two-year rule after HB 837 · I was in a car accident in Hialeah. What do I do now? · The 14-day PIP rule in Florida: what happens if you wait to see a doctor after a Hialeah car accident · The driver who hit me in Hialeah has no insurance. What now?

Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at 305-965-3766 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.