CORAL SPRINGS, FL, October 06, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Florida’s property damage threshold for reporting a crash to police rose from $500 to $2,000 on Oct. 1 under Senate Bill 488, according to CBS Miami. Drivers must still report any crash involving an injury or death, but many will now decide at the scene whether the damage is serious enough to call police. The Coral Springs, FL personal injury lawyer at The Andres Lopez Law Firm advises Broward County drivers to document every crash, because injuries and vehicle damage are not always visible right away.
What the Change Does and Does Not Cover
The new threshold is narrower than it may sound:
1. It applies to property damage only. Crashes involving injury or death must still be reported under Fla. Stat. § 316.065.
2. Drivers must still stop, stay at the scene, and exchange information, whatever the damage amount.
3. Modern bumpers, sensors, and cameras can push repair costs above $2,000 even when the damage looks minor.
4. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.736, personal injury protection (PIP) benefits generally require initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash.
5. Insurers commonly request a police report when evaluating fault and injury claims.
Why Documentation Still Matters
Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash often show up days after a collision, sometimes after the drivers have agreed that no report was needed. Without an official record, a dispute over who caused the crash can come down to one driver’s word against another’s. Photos, witness contact information, and prompt medical care help preserve a claim.
“A higher reporting threshold does not completely change what an injured person has to prove,” said Andres Lopez, founder of The Andres Lopez Law Firm. “A police report is often the first piece of evidence in a case, so we encourage people to call, take photos, and get checked out even when a crash seems minor.”
About The Andres Lopez Law Firm:
The Andres Lopez Law Firm represents injury victims and immigrant families across Broward County, including Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Pompano Beach. Andres Lopez founded the firm in 2011 and is a member of the Florida Bar and the Broward County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and has been recognized by Super Lawyers. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so no fee is owed unless the firm wins. The Coral Springs office is at 7351 Wiles Road, Suite 101, and potential clients can call at any hour to request a free consultation.
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