How To File A Police Report In Polk County

Since January 1, 2025, there have been 9,610 accidents and counting throughout Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. For each wreck reported to law enforcement, a formal report is created by the responding agency. If you are in an accident that is outside town limits, but still inside Polk County, then the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will typically file the accident report. 

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident, collision, or other traffic-related incident in Polk County, Florida, obtaining a copy of your accident report is an important step in protecting your rights and making sure you are complying with Florida law. These accident reports contain essential information about the crash, including the date, time, location, and the parties involved. Insurance companies often require a police report before processing claims, and personal injury attorneys like Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers use them to help clients pursue fair compensation. 

How to File a Police Report Online in Polk County

If the Polk County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to your crash and you need to file a self-report, the process is handled through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). While the Polk County Sheriff’s Office website does not provide a direct link for filing reports online, the state’s Florida Crash Portal is your best resource. Here’s how to file your Polk County accident report online:

• Visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ website page for crash reports.
• On the FLHSMV records page, locate the section labeled “Report a Crash.”
• Read the instructions carefully before clicking “Self Report Online.”
• Download the self-report crash form.
• Fill out the form completely with accurate information about your accident.
• Email the completed report to [email protected].

Once you have emailed the self-report form, the state will process your report and make it available for official records. You can also purchase an existing crash report from the same portal if it has already been filed by law enforcement.

How to File a Polk County Police Accident Report by Mail

If you prefer to file a police report in Polk County by mail after being in an accident, you can also file your accident report through the FLHSMV. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Florida Crash Portal and download the same self-report crash form mentioned above in the online instructions.
2. Fill out the form completely, making sure to include your full name, driver’s license number, and crash details.
3. Mail the completed form to:
   Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles
   Self-Report Crash Team
   2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28
   Tallahassee, Florida 32399

When you mail the report, we recommend that you include copies of any supporting documents you have and also make sure to keep a dated copy of everything you send. 

How to File a Police Report in Polk County by Phone

If the situation is not an emergency, but you still need to have a police report filed after an accident, such as a fender bender, you can contact Polk County’s non-emergency line at 863-298-6200. For emergencies that involve injuries, blocked traffic, or significant property damage, you should immediately call 911.

When you call dispatch, make sure that you:

• Explain that law enforcement has not been called to your crash yet, and you need information on filing a self-report.
• The dispatcher can tell you whether the accident will require that an officer be sent to the scene or if you should use the FLHSMV self-report process.
• In some cases, dispatch can arrange for an officer to create and file a report at a later time or advise you on the next steps to follow.

Phone reporting is a first step in most cases following an accident in Polk County, but ultimately, you should complete the FLHSMV self-report form online or by mail to create an official record if a law enforcement officer does not arrive at the scene.

How to File a Polk County Police Accident Report in Person

If you want to file directly with local law enforcement in person, you can go to your nearest Polk County Sheriff’s Office location and ask to file an accident report. Make sure to bring:

• Valid photo identification
• A written account of the collision, including the date, time, location, sequence of events, etc
• Photos or other evidence that you have collected

If the officer was dispatched to the scene but did not complete a report, an in-person follow-up can prompt the agency to create the official record. If the crash occurred outside town limits, but inside Polk County limits, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is the correct agency to handle your crash.

Can You File a Police Report Days After an Accident in Polk County?

Drivers involved in non-emergency accidents in Polk County can file a police report with the FLHSMV within 10 days of the collision. However, you should do it as soon as possible to prevent a diminished car accident claim value. Florida law requires immediate reporting for serious accidents, including those involving:

• Serious injuries
• Fatalities
• Hit-and-run drivers

However, the self-report option through the FLHSMV is a great option for delayed filing of an accident report in Polk County when the police did not or could not respond to the accident scene. The sooner you file a police report in Polk County, the better your insurance and legal position will be, as you will be following the law and not giving the insurance company a reason to deny your claim. Delays can make investigations harder and may complicate personal injury claims.

What Documentation is Required to File a Police Accident Report in Polk County

When filing a Polk County police accident report, especially if the police didn’t respond to the scene initially, and you are using the state self-report form, you will need to make sure that you are ready to provide:

• Your full name, address, and contact information
• Driver’s license number for all drivers involved in the accident
• Vehicle information, including:
  • Make
  • Model
  • Year
  • License plate numbers
  • VIN if available
• Date, time, and exact location of the crash, such as the intersection, mile marker, or address
• A clear description of what happened, including who was where and how the collision occurred
• Names and contact information of other drivers, passengers, and witnesses
• Insurance company names and policy numbers for involved drivers
• Photos of vehicle damage, the scene, skid marks, road signs, or any injuries if they are present
• Police case number if an officer did later respond to your call or file a separate report

If you are filing on behalf of someone else, such as a legal client, or insurance policy holder, you will generally need written authorization or proof of representation before you can file a report on their behalf.

What Does the Accident Report Include?

A Polk County crash record, otherwise known as a police accident report, typically includes the following information:

• The date, time, and exact location of the wreck or collision
• The parties involved (drivers, passengers, pedestrians) and their contact/insurance information
• Officer observations and any contributing factors noted, including speeding, road conditions, weather, etc
• Vehicle descriptions and damage summaries
• Witness statements and contact details, if provided
• Diagrams or sketches of the crash scene, when available
• Any citations issued or immediate findings from the responding officer

This officially recorded information becomes an important piece of evidence for an insurance claim or any personal injury lawsuit that may follow.

How Long Does It Take To Get the Polk County Accident Report

After you file a police accident report in Polk County, it typically takes 7–14 days for the report to be completed after the responding officer submits it. However, this timeline can be longer depending on the complexity of the investigation. Many accidents that involve fatalities, serious injuries, or multiple vehicles often require a more detailed investigation to determine fault and document the entirety of the accident and accident scene.

During these investigations, Polk County law enforcement officers may need to gather witness statements, review evidence, and coordinate with other agencies, which can increase the time it takes for the report to be finalized and available.

Need Help Filing a Police Report in Polk County?

Filing a police accident report after a crash is not just routine paperwork. It’s the foundation for your insurance claim and any future injury or property damage claim you may wish to file. A clear record helps prove the facts of the wreck, protects your rights, and prevents disputes about liability.

If the other driver’s insurance company questions fault or minimizes your injuries, filing a police report and having a lawyer professionally preserve evidence is essential. That’s where our team at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We will review the entirety of your case, including the police accident report in Polk County. Our team of car accident attorneys will also work diligently to preserve evidence, communicate with insurers on your behalf, and ensure your filing and documentation are handled correctly. 

If you were in a Polk County car accident, call our office for a free consultation, where we’ll help you confirm that the report was filed correctly and advise on next steps for recovery and compensation.