How to Obtain a Wimauma Florida Police Report
The town of Wimauma, Florida is a 25.3 square mile census-designated place (CPD) situated in the southern region of Hillsborough County. As such, all traffic accidents in Wimauma fall under the jurisdiction of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which provides law enforcement for more than 884 square miles of unincorporated areas.
If either you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Wimauma traffic crash, everything can spin out of control quickly. Your first call will be 9-1-1, and the HCSO officer sent to your location will focus on bringing in the necessary first responders; from medics and fire department personnel to tow trucks.
Additionally, law enforcement will verify the driver’s license and plate numbers of all involved parties, take all available witness statements and draw up a narrative of the traffic accident for the evidence record. You will want to acquire a business card and your case number from the officer prior to leaving the scene, as the official police report will take them several days to produce.
Now, make your next call to someone who also has your best interests at heart — a lawyer with plenty of compassion, and the dedication it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Darrigo & Diaz, your local personal injury law firm, is ready and available to help. Give us a call to discuss your accident at (813) 774-3341.
We are providing this resource page as a public service, to guide you through pertinent Florida statutes, while offering the most expeditious methods for acquiring your Wimauma Police Report.
Florida Laws for the Custody and Release of Police Reports
Florida Traffic Control Statute § Section 316.066 (Written Reports of Crashes) mandates that all accident Police Reports requests less than 60 days old must be accompanied by a Sworn Statement, a copy of your current photo identification and proof of your exemption which allows you access.
Florida mandates that Police Reports are confidential documents for the first 60 days after the accident. As such, they are only made available (within this confidential timeframe) to exempt parties; defined as involved parties, their representatives, attorneys, and insurance carriers as well as qualified media members.
After 60 days have passed the police reports become public records, and no sworn statement or identification is required for copies; although additional approval may be necessary for criminal incidents.
WARNING Any person, knowing that he or she is not entitled to obtain information made confidential by the above law, who obtains or attempts to obtain such information, is guilty of a felony of the third degree.
Requesting a Copy of Your Wimauma Police Report
The Public Records Section of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office coordinates all requests for Wimauma Police Reports, which are processed and released according to Florida Public Records Statute §119.00.
There is no fee for a copy of your Wimauma Police Report, whether or not you are an involved party. However, should your inquiry require extensive research, statements, or filmed recordings, you will be notified that a deposit is necessary prior to file your request.
Online
The Public Records Section of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office coordinates all requests for Wimauma records, which are processed and released according to Florida Public Records Statute §119.00.
HCSO Public Records Request Center
Please note that under Florida law, email addresses are a public record in which law enforcement agencies, as custodians, are required to release if discovered in response to another’s public records request.
Sworn Statement This fillable form from the FLHSMV department is for use by exempt parties, as described at the beginning of this section, during the first 60 days after the accident (aka the confidentiality period).
By Phone
HCSO Records Section
Phone: (813) 247-0960
In-Person
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida has jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas within the county, including yours. All Police Reports for Wimauma are maintained at the location below in Ybor City:
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Freddie Solomon Annex
Records Section
1900 East 9th Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33605
Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Days: Monday – Friday
Closed Holidays
By Mail
A letter of request for your Wimauma Police Accident Report may be mailed to the following address:
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Records Section
P. O. Box 3371
Tampa, Florida 33601
If it is within 60 days of the accident date, these records are confidential and only exempt parties and their representatives are allowed to access them. You must include a copy of your driver’s license to verify your identity and involvement in the accident, your case number, and your notarized Sworn Statement.
Once the Police Reports have become public record, no sworn statement or identification is required for non-criminal accident report copies.
Accident Probability Factors for Wimauma FL
Wimauma is situated 19 miles south of Tampa and 5 miles east of the I-75 State Road 674 exit, which runs east-west through the center of Wimauma. U.S. Route 301 runs north-south, forming the town’s western boundary (which also marks the eastern border of Sun City Center).
Between 1975 and 2014 in Wimauma there were 409 fatal accidents recorded, involving 597 vehicles and 1,269 individuals. Of these, 171 were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and 458 succumbed to fatal injuries.
With an estimated population of 7,140 in 2017, Wimauma has seen only a slight increase of 12% since the 2010 census, which recorded a boost of 50% from the census of 2000. It is a small town, but one whose proximity to heavily populated areas and busy highways increases the risk of unexpected casualties.
The median age of residents is 28.5 years, and nearly 50% are single. The unemployment rate at 10% for those over 25 years old is higher than average for Florida. Amongst the employed, 80% drive their own car to work without carpooling, and typical round-trip travel times for work can take Wimauma residents between 1-3 hours.
Close to 32% of industry occupations for males (and 22% for females) are in agriculture, farming, fishing, hunting, and forestry. Another 24% of males are employed in the construction industry. These jobs involve risk on a daily basis and also tend to increase the odds of driving while weary (after long days of maximum expended energy).
Darrigo & Diaz, Local Attorneys At Law
We are local, just like you. Established in 1999, our attorneys have all had decades of trial experience and have earned a strong reputation for standing up to insurance companies in court. Darrigo & Diaz proudly contribute to local public and private education systems, as well as organizations that work toward ending domestic violence and family hardships.
Call 813-774-3341 and reach out to Darrigo & Diaz for a free case evaluation for your Wimauma accident.
