Using Florida’s Public Records Laws to Strengthen Your Accident Claim

Government agencies throughout Florida maintain extensive records that could prove essential to your accident claim—from 911 call recordings and police dash camera footage to road maintenance logs and inspection reports. Many accident victims never realize these documents exist or understand how to access them, potentially leaving powerful evidence undiscovered. Florida’s public records laws provide broad rights to obtain government-held information, giving you tools to uncover facts that support your case and counter the insurance company’s narrative.

At The Law Offices of Scott Sobol, we leverage Florida’s public records laws to build compelling cases for our clients. With over 20 years of experience representing more than 1,000 clients throughout South Florida’s circuit courts, we understand how to identify, request, and effectively use public records to demonstrate liability and maximize compensation for your injuries.

Understanding Florida’s Public Records Law

Florida maintains one of the nation’s most expansive public records laws, granting citizens broad access to documents created or received by government agencies. The law operates on a presumption of openness, requiring agencies to provide records unless a specific exemption applies. This transparency extends to state agencies, county governments, municipalities, and even private entities performing governmental functions.

The law covers virtually any document format, including emails, text messages, photographs, video recordings, computer files, and traditional paper records. If a government employee created or received it while conducting official business, it generally qualifies as a public record subject to disclosure. This comprehensive scope means accident victims can access diverse evidence types that illuminate what happened and who bears responsibility.

Why Public Records Matter for Your Accident Claim

Public records provide objective evidence untainted by personal bias or faulty memory. Unlike witness statements that may change over time, official documents create contemporaneous records of conditions, actions, and communications at the time of your accident. These records often reveal information that contradicts insurance company arguments or exposes negligence by government entities or other parties.

Road maintenance records might show a municipality knew about a dangerous pothole for months before your accident. Building inspection reports could reveal code violations at a property where you fell. 911 recordings may capture a dispatcher’s instructions or a caller’s description of the accident scene. These documents transform speculation into provable facts backed by official government records.

Types of Public Records Useful in Accident Claims

Accident reports filed by law enforcement agencies serve as the foundation for most traffic collision claims. These reports document officer observations, driver statements, witness information, and preliminary fault determinations. While not always admissible as evidence of liability, they provide crucial details and identify people who saw what happened.

Body camera and dash camera footage from responding officers captures the accident scene’s condition and may show skid marks, vehicle positions, debris fields, or other physical evidence before cleanup. Audio recordings from these devices preserve statements made at the scene before memories fade or stories change. Traffic camera footage from municipal or state transportation departments may have recorded the actual collision or events leading to it.

Using Public Records Strategically in Your Case

Public records strengthen your position during insurance negotiations by providing independent evidence of liability. When insurers see police reports, maintenance logs, or official photographs supporting your version of events, they understand judges or jurors will find this evidence compelling. This realization often leads to improved settlement offers without requiring litigation.

Records that contradict the other party’s account prove especially valuable. If a driver claims mechanical failure caused the accident but vehicle inspection records show recent brake repairs, that inconsistency undermines their defense. If a property owner denies knowing about a dangerous condition but city complaint records document multiple reports, those records destroy their credibility.

Identifying Previously Unknown Defendants

Public records sometimes reveal additional responsible parties beyond those obvious at the accident scene. Contract documents may show which company maintains roadways for a government agency. Permit records might identify property owners distinct from businesses operating at accident locations. Employment records could prove that at-fault drivers were working when your accident occurred, potentially adding their employers as defendants.

Expanding your claim to include all responsible parties increases potential compensation sources, particularly when primary defendants lack adequate insurance coverage. Multiple defendants also create opportunities to shift blame among themselves, potentially benefiting your claim as they argue over comparative responsibility.

Contact The Law Offices of Scott Sobol

Florida’s public records laws provide powerful tools for building strong accident claims, but navigating government bureaucracies and identifying useful records requires experience and legal knowledge. The Law Offices of Scott Sobol has successfully used public records to support numerous client cases throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Our firm combines over two decades of personal injury experience with a commitment to thorough investigation and aggressive advocacy. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to discuss how we can use Florida’s public records laws to strengthen your accident claim and pursue the justice you deserve.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY:
Scott Sobol
January 5, 2026

Scott Sobol is a dedicated personal injury attorney with over two decades of experience representing injured clients across South Florida. He has handled more than 1,000 cases involving serious car accidents, unsafe premises, and denied insurance claims. Known for his client-focused approach, Scott prioritizes open communication to guide clients confidently through complex legal challenges. Licensed in Florida, Illinois, and Texas, his extensive knowledge of the law ensures a strong pursuit of justice for those affected by negligence.

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