ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions twice per week in a segment called “Ask Trooper Steve.”

Trooper Steve on Thursday was asked crash reports.

After a crash, whether it’s a minor fender bender or something more severe, most people assume they’re about to leave the scene with a thick stack of paperwork. But believe it or not, it’s actually much simpler than most expect.

A few years back, law enforcement agencies relied on carbon paper to give drivers their copies of crash-related documents. It was messy, time-consuming and definitely outdated by today’s standards.

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Fast forward to now, and all it takes is a small agency business card with a case number. That little card holds the key to everything you need.

When I was a road-working Florida state trooper, we handed out what’s known as a “driver’s exchange of information.” This wasn’t a full crash report. Instead, it was a streamlined form that gave drivers the basic details they needed to start the insurance process. Whether you were at fault or not, this exchange was what you would give to your insurance company so they could begin their work.

The full crash report, the one most people think they’re supposed to leave with, actually takes time. It usually takes about five to seven business days to be completed, reviewed and approved. Once it’s done, your insurance company can request it directly using that case number and even provide a copy to you if you need one.

So the next time you find yourself on the side of the road after a crash, don’t be discouraged if all you receive is a small card. That card, with that case number is more powerful than it looks. It’s the gateway to the entire process and everything your insurance provider needs to take it from there.

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