Jenna Kakley Accident Lawyers Personal Injury

For many people, reading a Florida crash report is the moment the stress of an already difficult experience intensifies. When you see something that isn’t true — a wrong lane, incorrect diagram, missing witness, or a statement that makes it seem as if you caused the crash — it can feel discouraging. Many Southwest Florida drivers immediately worry: “Will this affect the insurance process? Can this be corrected?”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please know this: you are not alone, and a crash report is not the final word on what happened. A crash report is one document in a much larger process, and Florida law recognizes that it is not a determination of fault.

At All Injuries Law Firm, we've assisted many people over more than 35 years who were dealing with crash reports that contained mistakes or omissions. Our attorneys — including board-certified attorney Brian Sutter, board-certified attorney Bryan Greenberg, and Million Dollar Advocates Forum member Corbin Sutter — regularly help clients address these issues so the full context of the crash can be presented.

Start with why a wrong crash report does not decide fault

A crash report reflects an officer’s impressions at the scene. It is not a legal finding, and it is not binding on an insurer, attorney, or court. Florida law places clear limits on the use of crash reports, including prohibiting them from being admitted in court to establish fault.

Seeing incorrect information in a report can be upsetting, but it is important to remember that mistakes in crash reports happen, especially in complex scenes across Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.

We have assisted many clients whose reports contained errors or unclear statements, and the outcome of their claims depended on the evidence developed afterward — not the initial report.

“After more than 40 years representing injured people in Southwest Florida, one of the most important things I tell clients is this: a crash report is not the end of your case. Officers do their best, but they don’t always get every detail right, especially on busy roads in our area. What matters is the full picture of what really happened, and that’s what we help uncover.”
— Brian O. Sutter, Managing Partner & Board-Certified Attorney

Why Florida crash reports are often wrong or incomplete

Crash scenes on US-41, I-75, and busy intersections around Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota can be chaotic. Officers must balance safety, traffic control, and information gathering in a demanding environment. Because of this, reports sometimes contain:

• incomplete details
• conflicting statements
• missing witnesses
• delayed-onset injuries that weren’t visible
• roadway conditions that weren’t recorded

These issues do not mean the officer acted improperly — only that additional information may be needed to give a clearer picture of the crash.

Steps to take when your crash report contains mistakes

Get the full Florida long form crash report instead of the driver exchange

Many people receive only a Driver Exchange Form, which lacks the narrative and diagram. This can create confusion about what the officer actually recorded.

If you need help obtaining the full report, or if the crash resulted in injuries, you can learn more about how we help auto accident victims here: Auto Accident Lawyers – All Injuries Law Firm

Gather evidence that shows the accident report is incorrect

It’s normal to worry that you don’t know what evidence matters. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Items that may help clarify or correct the report include:

• photos or videos
• dashcam recordings
• witness names not included in the report
• medical documentation showing delayed injuries
• nearby business surveillance
• black-box (EDR) data

We help clients identify which pieces are relevant and how to present them appropriately.

Identify whether the accident report has errors omissions or opinions

Crash reports generally contain three types of issues:

Correctable factual errors

These may include misidentified vehicles, wrong directions of travel, or incorrect locations.

Omissions

These occur when information wasn’t available at the scene.

Opinions

Officer opinions are not evidence and are not binding on your claim.

“It’s incredibly common for a crash report to blame the wrong person, especially here in Southwest Florida where traffic can be chaotic. What matters is making sure your voice and your evidence are heard. We step in early to correct the record so you’re not treated unfairly by the insurance company.”
— Attorney Corbin Sutter, Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member

How a supplemental Florida crash report can help correct the record

A supplemental report may be appropriate when new information becomes available. Submitting a supplement is a common and accepted process and simply provides additional context to the original report.

Why you should not call the insurance company before speaking with an attorney

It’s natural to want to clarify things immediately, but insurers may interpret statements differently than intended. Speaking with an attorney first helps ensure your comments are accurate and appropriately framed.

“I spent years defending insurance companies, and I can tell you firsthand: a crash report with errors does not mean your claim is over. Insurers understand that reports are written quickly and sometimes contain mistakes. What matters is presenting the complete evidence clearly and effectively.”
— Attorney Bryan Greenberg, Board-Certified in Workers’ Compensation

How your attorney communicates with the officer to protect your claim

We communicate with the reporting agency respectfully and professionally to submit corrected or supplemental information on your behalf. This helps ensure the record reflects the most accurate version of events available.

How to protect your injury claim even when the crash report blames you

Even when a crash report suggests you contributed to the collision, that does not end your claim. Florida’s system evaluates the complete evidence, not just the initial report. Witness statements, physical evidence, and medical documentation all help clarify what actually happened.

How correcting the accident report helps you move toward victory

For many people, submitting corrections or supplemental information brings a sense of relief and reassurance. It’s often the first step toward restoring confidence and moving forward in the healing process.

When a case concludes, we love celebrating our clients’ perseverance with our firm tradition — banging the victory gong to mark the moment their case has reached resolution.

Talk to an Attorney Today

You don’t have to navigate a wrong crash report alone. Our offices in Port Charlotte and Fort Myers proudly serve the entire Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota County region.

Contact All Injuries Law Firm or call (941) 625-4878 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrong or Incomplete Florida Crash Reports

What should I do if my Florida crash report is wrong?

If your crash report contains errors, start by getting the full long-form report, not just the driver exchange. Then gather any evidence that shows what actually happened — photos, witness information, medical documentation, or dashcam footage. An attorney can help you determine whether the issue is a factual error, an omission, or an officer’s opinion and then guide you through correcting or supplementing the report.

Can a wrong crash report hurt my insurance claim?

A wrong or incomplete crash report can create confusion early in the claims process, but it does not decide fault in Florida. Insurers cannot rely exclusively on the officer’s opinion. Your claim is based on the full set of evidence — not just what appears in the initial accident report.

How do I dispute a crash report in Florida?

You can dispute a crash report by providing additional documentation, requesting corrections to factual errors, or submitting information for a supplemental report. Because each agency has different procedures, many people choose to have an attorney communicate with the reporting officer or agency on their behalf.

Can I request a supplemental Florida crash report if new injuries appear?

Yes. If injuries become apparent after the crash — which is common — you can request that the information be added through a supplemental report. This helps ensure the record reflects your condition more accurately when you pursue medical treatment or an injury claim.

What if the crash report wrongly blames me for the accident?

This is a common concern, but a crash report’s fault assessment is not binding. Many crash reports contain assumptions based on limited information, especially in busy areas of Southwest Florida. Your claim will be evaluated based on comprehensive evidence, not the officer’s initial impressions.

How long do I have to correct or supplement a crash report in Florida?

There is no strict deadline for offering corrected or supplemental information, but it’s best to act as soon as possible. Early clarification prevents insurers from forming conclusions based on incomplete information.

Can an attorney contact the officer to help correct a crash report?

Yes. Attorneys routinely communicate with the reporting officer or agency to provide additional documentation or request clarification. This is done professionally and respectfully to ensure the most accurate record of the crash is on file.

Will the wrong crash report prevent me from receiving compensation?

No. A wrong crash report does not prevent you from pursuing an injury claim. Florida law does not treat crash reports as evidence of fault. Compensation decisions are based on medical records, witness statements, physical evidence, and the overall facts of the collision.

References

1. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). “Traffic Crash Reports.” Information on requesting crash reports, confidentiality periods, and report types.
2. Florida Statutes, Chapter 316.066 — Written Reports of Crashes. Florida Legislature – Online Sunshine. Statutory framework governing crash report confidentiality, content, and limitations on admissibility.
3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Road Safety & Crash Data.” National data on crash risks, contributing factors, and reporting limitations.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Transportation Safety.” General information on motor vehicle injuries, common causes, and injury patterns.
5. Insurance Information Institute (III). “Auto Insurance Basics.” How insurance companies evaluate claims, including reliance on documentation beyond crash reports.
6. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). “Florida Highway Patrol.” Information about reporting procedures, crash investigations, and Troop F region coverage.
7. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). “Highway Safety and Roadway Data.” Resources on roadway conditions, crash factors, and infrastructure impacts relevant to crash documentation.