Quick Summary:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, traffic is blocked, or a driver flees.
- In Florida, request an incident number whenever damage seems significant.
- Photograph vehicles, plates, road marks, and wide angles before moving cars.
- Exchange licence, insurance, and contact details, then note time and location.
A minor crash can feel straightforward, until you need to prove what happened. In Florida, the right paperwork and evidence can make the difference between a smooth insurance claim and a frustrating back-and-forth. If you are driving a car hire vehicle, good documentation matters even more because you may need to update the rental company and follow the contract’s reporting rules.
This guide gives a step-by-step checklist for what to do at the scene, what proof to collect, and when to insist on a police report or at least an incident number. It is written for everyday low-speed bumps, parking-lot scrapes, and rear-end shunts, but it also flags the moments when “minor” becomes “reportable”.
Step 1: Make the scene safe first
Before you think about paperwork, reduce risk. Florida roads can be fast and busy, and secondary collisions are common.
Do this immediately:
Check for injuries in every vehicle, including passengers. If anyone is hurt, feels dizzy, or complains of neck or back pain, call 911. If vehicles are creating a hazard and can be moved safely, pull to the shoulder or a nearby car park. If you cannot move the vehicles, turn on hazards and stay in a safe area away from traffic.
If you arrived in Florida through Miami and you are driving near the airport exits, traffic can be hectic. Even a minor bump near terminal roads can become dangerous quickly, so prioritise safety and quick scene control.
If you are using a hire vehicle sourced via car rental at Miami Airport, keep your rental agreement and the company’s emergency instructions accessible, ideally as a photo on your phone.
Step 2: Decide whether to call police right now
Drivers often ask, “Do I need a police report for a minor accident in Florida?” The practical answer is: sometimes, and it depends on the situation and the likely level of damage.
Call 911 immediately if:
There are injuries or possible injuries. A driver appears impaired. A driver leaves the scene (hit-and-run). The crash is blocking lanes or creating an unsafe situation. There is a dispute that feels like it could escalate.
Strongly consider calling law enforcement if:
Damage looks more than cosmetic, or you suspect the total damage could be significant once inspected. One driver has no proof of insurance, no licence, or will not cooperate. The other party is using a company vehicle and wants everything documented. You believe the other driver is clearly at fault but is denying it.
What if police do not attend?
In some areas, officers may not come to very minor collisions. If that happens, ask for guidance on how to record the incident and request an incident or event number. Write down the name of the agency you contacted, the time, and any reference number given. That reference can still help when you notify insurers or a rental provider.
If your trip involves longer drives across the state, it helps to know where your rental pickup is based, because reporting instructions can vary by company. For broad Florida travel planning and car hire basics, see car rental in Florida information so you are not hunting for documents in an emergency.
Step 3: Exchange details, calmly and completely
Once everyone is safe, exchange information with the other driver. Keep it factual and avoid admitting fault at the roadside. Fault is determined later by insurers and evidence.
Minimum details to exchange:
Full name, phone number, and address. Driving licence number and issuing state or country. Vehicle make, model, and colour. Registration plate number and state. Insurance company name, policy number, and claims phone number. Name and contact details of the vehicle owner if different from the driver.
If you are in a hire car:
Confirm that the driver is authorised under the rental agreement. Make sure you have the hire company’s contact details from the agreement, plus any roadside assistance number. If the other driver asks for the vehicle’s owner details, use the information on your rental agreement rather than guessing.
Witnesses:
If anyone saw the crash, ask for their name and phone number. A short independent account can be valuable if stories change later. Do not pressure people, simply ask if they are willing to share contact details.
Step 4: Photograph and record proof before vehicles move
Evidence is most persuasive when it is captured immediately and shows context. Use your phone camera, and take more photos than you think you need.
Photo checklist for the scene:
Wide shots showing both vehicles in position and the surrounding road. Close-ups of damage on both vehicles from multiple angles. Registration plates of all involved vehicles. Road markings, skid marks, debris, and fluid spills. Traffic signs, signals, and any relevant speed limit signs. The intersection or parking-lot layout from the driver’s viewpoint. Weather conditions, lighting, and any obstructions.
Video and audio notes:
A slow walk-around video can capture the entire scene quickly. You can also record a short voice note stating the time, location, direction of travel, and what you observed. Keep it factual.
Document the location precisely:
Save a map pin or screenshot showing cross streets, a mile marker, or a nearby business name. Florida has many similar-looking roads, and precise location helps if you later need records or traffic camera requests.
Step 5: Know when to insist on an incident number
Even if the crash feels minor, there are moments when you should push for official documentation. The key is uncertainty. If there is any chance the situation becomes disputed, expensive, or injury-related later, a report or incident number can protect you.
Insist on at least an incident number when:
The other driver changes their story, becomes aggressive, or refuses to share insurance details. You suspect hidden damage, for example, bumper cover looks fine but sensors or mounting points may be compromised. A hire car is involved and the rental company requires a report for damage processing. The other driver proposes “cash” to avoid insurance, which can later backfire. The crash happens in a busy tourist zone where witnesses are transient and may be hard to locate later.
Orlando and theme park corridors are common places for low-speed impacts and conflicting accounts. If you are in that area, having clear documentation is especially useful. If your vehicle is arranged through Payless car rental at Orlando MCO, keep the incident number and all photos together so you can report accurately.
Step 6: Write a short, structured account
Within 15 minutes, details blur. Write a brief timeline while you are still at the scene or immediately after you are safe.
Include these facts:
Date and time. Exact location. Lane and direction of travel. Traffic and weather conditions. What you were doing just before impact, such as stopped at a red light. What you felt or heard at impact. What the other driver said, quoted if possible. Names and contacts of witnesses. Any police or agency reference number.
Do not speculate about speed or blame. A clean factual record is easier to defend later.
Step 7: Notify the hire company and follow the contract
If you are driving a car hire vehicle, you typically need to notify the rental company promptly, even for minor damage. Rental agreements often require timely reporting, and delays can complicate repairs, claims, or deposit releases.
When you contact the rental provider, have ready:
Your rental agreement number. Vehicle registration plate. Time and location of the incident. Other driver’s details and insurer. Photos and any incident number. Whether the car is drivable and safe.
If you hired in the Miami area but you are now elsewhere in Florida, ask whether they want the vehicle inspected immediately or returned to a specific location. If your pickup location is near central Miami, information pages like Hertz car rental in Doral can help you find the right local contact details and expectations for reporting.
Step 8: Watch for “minor” injuries that appear later
Some people feel fine at the roadside but develop symptoms hours later. If you or a passenger develops pain, dizziness, numbness, or unusual stiffness, seek medical advice. From a documentation standpoint, note when symptoms began and keep any medical paperwork. If you later report an injury, the earlier evidence you collected, photos, timeline, and incident number, becomes even more important.
Common Florida scenarios and what to do
Parking-lot scrape with no witnesses: Photograph both vehicles, including plates, and take a wide shot showing parking lines. Exchange full details and write a short account. If the other driver is uncooperative, contact law enforcement for guidance and request an incident number.
Rear-end shunt at a traffic light: Take wide shots that show both cars’ positions, the signal, and lane markings. Photograph tow hooks, bumper alignment, and any sensor areas. Hidden damage is common in low-speed rear impacts.
Tourist-area confusion with multiple passengers: Confirm who was driving, who owns each vehicle, and get passenger names if they will later claim injury. Keep your own record of seat positions and seatbelt use, if relevant.
How this helps protect your car hire deposit and liability
Clear proof reduces disputes. Photos of the whole scene help show whether damage aligns with the alleged impact. Plate photos reduce identification errors. Witness details can prevent blame shifting. A reference number shows you acted responsibly and can support insurance processes.
It also helps you communicate clearly with the rental company, which may need to arrange repairs, inspect damage, or coordinate with insurers. If you are comparing options for state-wide travel, car hire in Florida resources can help you understand typical rental documentation you should keep handy throughout your trip.
FAQ
Do you always need a police report for a minor accident in Florida? Not always. If there are injuries, a hit-and-run, suspected impairment, or an unsafe road blockage, call 911. For very minor damage, officers may not attend, but you can still request an incident number.
What proof should I collect at the scene to protect myself later? Take wide and close-up photos of both vehicles, plates, road markings, signs, and any debris. Collect full driver and insurance details, witness contacts, and write a short timeline while it is fresh.
If the other driver refuses to share insurance details, what should I do? Stay calm, do not argue, and contact law enforcement. Ask for guidance and an incident number. Photograph the other vehicle, plate, and the driver if it is safe and lawful to do so.
What should I tell the car hire company after a small bump? Provide the rental agreement number, time and location, the other driver’s details, photos, and any incident or report number. Also confirm whether the vehicle is drivable and whether warning lights appeared afterward.
Can I move the cars before taking photos? If the vehicles are creating danger and can be moved, safety comes first. If possible, take a few quick wide photos before moving, then take detailed photos once you are safely out of traffic.
