Miami Traffic Crash Reports - Public Records Guide

Transportation Florida 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of Florida

In Miami, Florida, traffic crash reports are public records under Florida law but access, formats, and responsible offices vary by agency. This guide explains how to request crash reports from the City of Miami, what to expect on timing and fees, who enforces public-records requests, and practical steps for drivers, attorneys, and insurers seeking collision records.

Request early and be specific about date, location, and parties involved to speed processing.

How to request a traffic crash report

Start with the agency that created the report. For collisions investigated by the City of Miami Police Department, submit a records request to the City of Miami Records or City Clerk office. For state investigations or highway crashes, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or Florida Highway Patrol may hold the report. When you request a report, provide the crash date, location, names or vehicle details, and preferred delivery method.

Official city guidance explains the City of Miami public-records process and submission instructions[1]. The Miami Police Department Records/Traffic unit handles crash-report distribution[2]. Florida law on public records and enforcement is set out in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes[3].

What you'll receive

  • Copy of the police crash report or a redacted version when statutory exemptions apply.
  • Supplemental reports, diagrams, and attached photos if maintained and not exempt.
  • Possible fees for copying, certification, or staff time as allowed by the city or agency.
Photographs or witness statements may be withheld only if a specific exemption applies.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of public-records obligations and remedies for wrongful denial are governed by Florida law and pursued in court. Specific monetary fines or per-day penalties for a denied records request are not specified on the cited city pages; consult the statute for court remedies and fee awards[3]. The City Clerk and the Miami Police Department Records Division are the primary local enforcers for city-held crash reports[1][2].

  • Typical court remedies: order to produce records and possible award of attorney fees to the requester (not specified on the cited page).
  • Fines or statutory penalties for noncompliance: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: court orders to disclose, injunctive relief, or contempt proceedings (not specified on the cited page).
If a city office denies a request, preserve the denial in writing and note the date received.

Appeals, timelines and defenses

  • Appeal path: file a petition in circuit court seeking enforcement of Chapter 119 (exact timelines for filing are not specified on the cited city pages; see the statute[3]).
  • Defenses agencies may raise: statutory exemptions such as ongoing criminal-investigation exemptions or privacy exemptions (specific exemption citations are not specified on the cited city pages).
  • Complaint pathway: contact the City Clerk or Police Records Division first; official contact pages are listed in Resources below[1][2].

Applications & Forms

Some agencies provide an online request form; the City of Miami lists public-records submission instructions on its official page. If no specific crash-report request form is published by the agency, you may submit a written request describing the records you need and your contact information; the city pages indicate submission options but do not publish a single mandatory crash-report form[1][2].

How-To

Quick step-by-step for getting a crash report in Miami.

  1. Identify the investigating agency (City of Miami Police Department vs. Florida Highway Patrol).
  2. Prepare a written request with date, location, names, and vehicle details; attach ID if required.
  3. Submit via the agency's public-records portal, email, or in person per the City of Miami instructions[1][2].
  4. Pay any applicable copying or certification fees as stated by the records office.
  5. If denied, request a written denial, preserve correspondence, and consider filing for enforcement in circuit court under Chapter 119[3].
Include a case number or officer name in your request to improve retrieval speed.

FAQ

Who holds crash reports for incidents inside Miami city limits?
The City of Miami Police Department holds reports for collisions it investigates; state agencies hold reports for state-road incidents.
Are crash reports free?
Not always; agencies may charge copying or certification fees. Exact fee amounts are not specified on the cited city pages.
How long before I receive a report?
Processing times vary by agency and workload; the city pages do not provide a guaranteed timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the agency that generated the report and give precise details.
  • Keep written records of requests and any denials to preserve enforcement rights.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Miami - Public Records
  2. [2] City of Miami Police Department - Records Division
  3. [3] Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles - Public resources

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data