How to Get Your St. Petersburg Police Accident Report

Being in a car accident takes a toll on your health and state of mind. In the moments following a crash, you may be anxious, shocked, and confused. When a car accident occurs, you need to make sure that you get a copy of your St. Petersburg car accident report. This report will include all evidence from the scene of the crash, and determine fault and damages.

To get a copy of your St. Petersburg police accident report, follow these simple steps. Read further to learn about the report, what’s included, how much it costs, and how long it takes to get your report.

How soon can you get a copy of your St Petersburg Police crash report? According to the St. Pete Police Records Division, “Most requests involve obtaining copies of accident and offense reports. Accident reports can only be released in accordance with Florida Statute 316.066. Most accident reports are not available for 10-14 days after they are turned in due to the many quality control and data entry requirements involved in their processing.”

If you don’t yet have a report, here’s how to file a police report in St Petersburg, FL.

How Can I Get My St. Petersburg Accident Report Online?

Paid Option: You must request your accident report directly from the St. Petersburg Police Department online. While there are a few different ways to request your report, the police department advises doing so via their online accident report retrieval. To do so, go here, create an account, and fill out the request form.

Free Option:

1301 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL. 33705

Lobby Hours: 7 days a week from 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Records Counter: Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)

They are often closed for municipal holidays, so it is recommended to call beforehand: 727-893-7521 or 727-893-7555.

How Can I Get My St. Petersburg Accident Report by Mail?

If you would like a physical copy of your police report from the St. Petersburg Police Department, you can contact the Records Department at 727-893-7521 or 727-893-7555 for assistance. If you are mailing in your request for a report, follow their directions, which may include sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope and the cost per report for an expedited return of your mail-in request.

Who Can Access St. Petersburg Police Reports?

Per Florida State Statute 316.066 (5) (a), crash reports are exempt from the public for 60 days after the crash. This includes car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents in St. Petersburg, FL.

During this period, crash reports are only available to people defined in 316.066 (5) (b), which include:

• Parties of the crash;
• The parties’ legal representatives;
• The parties’ insurance agents;
• The State Attorney’s Office, radio and television stations; and
• Newspapers or any state or federal agency authorized to have access.

St. Petersburg car accident reports are confidential for 60 days after the accident. If you request your report before these 60 days, you must fill out an affidavit explaining why you need it. Keep in mind that copies of the report may not be free.

How Long Does It Take to Get a St. Petersburg Police Crash Report?

The St. Petersburg Police Records Division is very busy; according to their website, they receive over 10,000 requests for police reports each year – just in the mail alone.

For most accident reports in St. Petersburg, it takes 10-14 days after filing for a police report in St Pete to be available to download or to mail you a copy. Related: How long do you have to file a police report after an incident in St Petersburg?

How Much Does a St. Petersburg Accident Report Cost?

The fee for a police report from the St. Petersburg Police Department is $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page (subject to change).

Additional fees may include:

• Photograph requests on CD/DVD: $3.00 per CD plus postage paid envelope
• DUI Video requests on CD/DVD: $3.00 per video plus postage paid envelope
• Public Records Requests: An additional charge may be applied to a public records request that requires extensive clerical assistance. If a request is voluminous in nature, an estimate of the charges for the production will be provided. The applied hourly rate fee will depend of the specific nature of the public records request with an average rate of $28.75 per hour.

Why is a St. Petersburg Police Accident Report Important?

Car accident reports provide important information to the parties involved in the accident, as well as insurance companies and legal representatives.

After a crash, police arrive at the scene and document all evidence to compile a report.

These reports include information such as:

• The date, time, and place of the crash;
• The weather and road conditions at the time of the crash;
• Damages to the vehicles involved and any property; and
• Pictures of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, and injuries.

Get a copy of your police report as soon as possible.

You may also be interested in how to get Clearwater accident reports.

Get a Free Case Review of St. Petersburg Accident Report

If you’ve recently suffered injuries because of a car accident in St. Petersburg Florida, it’s in your best interest to have your case reviewed by a legal professional. You may be entitled to damages, and a St. Pete car accident lawyer can help you understand your best course of action.

Injured in a car accident? Contact an experienced lawyer to protect your rights

It is crucial to get a copy of your St. Petersburg police report following a car crash. If you have any questions about this process, contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today for more information.