What Happens After a Florida Hit and Run Car Accident? Your Legal Roadmap.

Every year, thousands of Floridians face the terrifying reality of being involved in a hit and run car accident. If you are seriously injured in a hit and run accident, the fear and confusion that follow can be overwhelming. In fact, Florida reports over 97,000 hit-and-run crashes annually, a staggering number that reflects how common and how serious these incidents are.

Vehicle crashes remain a daily reality on our roads. Knowing your rights and responsibilities under Florida law can be the key to protecting your future. Our experienced car accident lawyers have guided countless clients through these stressful moments, making sure our motto is followed: Don't Be A Victim Twice™.

Florida Hit and Run Statistics 2025: What the Numbers Reveal

Recent statistics from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) crash dashboard paint a troubling picture of hit and run incidents statewide. During the first half of 2025 alone, Florida witnessed one hundred eighty thousand one hundred fifty two (180,152) total vehicle crashes. Among these, 45,250 involved drivers who fled the scene, representing a staggering 25% of all motor vehicle crashes.

The human cost is equally alarming. These hit and run cases resulted in 72 fatalities and 9,695 injury cases in just the first half of the year. When examining the full year of 2024, the total number of hit and run crashes reached 97,965, underscoring the persistent nature of this problem on Florida's roads.

Understanding Hit and Run Under Florida Law

Florida law is designed to protect victims when a driver flees the scene of a crash. Failing to stop after a motor vehicle crash can lead to criminal charges and may cause the driver to face civil lawsuits for the harm they have caused.

What Is a Hit and Run Accident in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes §316.061, §316.062, and §316.063, a hit and run occurs when a driver involved in a crash fails to fulfill their legal duties at the accident scene. The law requires all drivers to immediately stop their vehicles as close to the crash site as possible without obstructing traffic. This applies whether the crash involves another vehicle, a pedestrian, or damage to unattended property.

The duty to render aid is equally important. Florida law requires drivers to provide reasonable assistance to any person injured in a crash, including arranging for medical treatment or transportation to a hospital. Drivers must also provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver's license information to other parties involved or to any police officer investigating the accident.

What Actions Make It a Hit and Run?

Several scenarios constitute leaving the scene of an accident under Florida law. These situations transform what might otherwise be simple accidents into serious criminal offenses:

• Striking a parked car: Colliding with an unattended vehicle in a parking lot and departing without providing written notice containing your contact information.
• Property damage incidents: Hitting mailboxes, fences, or other property while failing to locate the property owner or leave identifying details.
• Injury-related crashes: Leaving any accident scene where someone sustained bodily injury, regardless of who caused the collision.
• Fatal accidents: Fleeing after an accident involving death, which triggers Florida's most severe hit and run penalties.
• Pedestrian collisions: Striking a pedestrian and departing without offering immediate assistance or contacting emergency services.

Each situation shares a common element — the driver's failure to stop and meet their legal obligations. Even when you believe another party caused the accident, leaving transforms a civil matter into a criminal offense with lasting consequences.

Is a Hit and Run a Felony in Florida?

The classification depends entirely on the severity of the crash and the resulting damage. Florida's hit-and-run criminal penalty structures range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. When accidents involve only property damage, prosecutors typically file second-degree misdemeanor charges. However, crashes causing bodily injury or death elevate to felony status, carrying a substantial risk of prison sentences and permanent criminal records for the driver who fled the scene of a crash.

What Happens If You Flee the Scene?

When a crash happens and the at-fault driver flees the scene, our professional investigators get to work quickly. They will review surveillance footage, collect police reports, check for witness interviews, and even examine paint or damage left behind.

Rights and Options for Hit and Run Victims in Florida

Hit and run victims face complex challenges that demand strategic legal action. Florida law offers recovery options, but navigating them often requires professional help.

Understanding Florida’s Insurance Landscape in Hit and Run Cases

Florida's no-fault insurance system creates specific protections for hit and run victims, though accessing these benefits can prove complex. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, mandatory for all Florida drivers, provides immediate benefits regardless of fault determination.

In hit and run cases, Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is vital when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. It allows victims to seek compensation beyond basic PIP benefits.

Following hit and run accidents, insurance companies may increase premiums despite the policyholder's lack of fault. Insurers view hit and run claims as higher risk, especially when the responsible parties cannot be identified and held accountable.

Who Pays for Damages in a Hit and Run Accident?

When you are the victim of a hit and run accident, one of the biggest questions is who will cover the damage. From medical bills to repairs, the financial burden can feel overwhelming, especially if the hit and run driver is not found. Here is how Florida law handles payment responsibility in these cases:

• If the at-fault driver is identified: They and their insurance company may be held legally responsible for all damages, including through civil lawsuits.
• If the driver cannot be found: Your own insurance, through PIP and Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, typically covers initial costs. Some cases may also qualify for restitution through state funds or criminal court orders.

What Hit and Run Compensation Categories Are Available for the Injured?

Hit and run victims may pursue various forms of compensation, depending on the circumstances of their case and the available insurance coverage. Understanding potential damages helps victims make informed decisions about legal action.

• Medical expenses: Complete coverage for accident-related medical treatment, including emergency care, surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy.
• Lost income: Compensation for wages lost due to inability to work, plus future earning capacity if permanent disability results.
• Pain and suffering: Damages addressing physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life caused by the accident.
• Property damage: Costs for vehicle repairs or replacement, plus personal property damaged in the crash.
• Permanent disability: Additional compensation when accidents result in lasting impairment or serious personal disfigurement.

Getting the most money possible for your injuries depends on swift action and comprehensive evidence preservation.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Incident

Taking appropriate action immediately following a hit and run accident significantly impacts both your safety and the successful outcome of your case. Quick thinking and proper documentation can preserve crucial evidence while protecting your legal rights.

Ensure Safety and Call Emergency Services

Safety must always be your first priority after any motor vehicle crash. If you can move safely, exit traffic areas and immediately call 911. Even seemingly minor injuries require professional medical evaluation. Police officers will create official crash reports, which become essential evidence for both criminal investigations and insurance claims.

Never attempt to pursue fleeing drivers. Such actions create dangerous situations that may result in additional accidents or confrontations. Instead, focus on gathering information about the vehicle involved, including license plate numbers, make, model, color, and direction of travel.

Document the Scene Thoroughly

If physically able, comprehensively document the accident scene before evidence disappears. Take photographs of your damaged vehicle, the crash site, any debris, and visible injuries.

• Vehicle damage: Capture multiple angles showing impact points, scratches, dents, and any paint transfer from the other vehicle.
• Accident scene: Document road conditions, traffic signs, weather conditions, and any obstructions that may have contributed to the crash.
• Debris and evidence: Photograph any vehicle parts, glass, or other materials left by the fleeing vehicle.
• Injury documentation: Take photos of any visible injuries, bruises, or cuts resulting from the accident.
• Witness information: Collect contact details from anyone who witnessed the accident or saw the fleeing vehicle.

These photographs can provide powerful evidence about the severity of the crash and the circumstances involved. In today's digital age, nearby individuals may have captured the incident on smartphones, dashboard cameras, or front door ring-style cameras.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company immediately to report the hit and run accident. Provide honest, factual information about circumstances without speculating about fault or the other driver's motivations. Your insurance company will process PIP benefits and, if you carry UM coverage, will investigate the claim.

Call Our Expert Personal Injury Attorneys

After a hit and run accident, legal and insurance issues can quickly become overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with the pain of being injured, doctor’s visits, and a pile of unpaid bills. Our personal injury attorneys use their advanced knowledge to help protect your rights, manage claims, and pursue full compensation while you focus on your physical recovery. Here’s just some of the things we can do:

• Independent investigation: Gather evidence that the police may miss, including surveillance footage and witness statements.
• Insurance communication: Handle all contact with the insurance companies to ensure fair treatment.
• Evidence preservation: Secure crucial documents and records needed for your case.
• Settlement negotiation: Pursue fair compensation with aggressive and strategic negotiations without dragging you through unnecessary court battles.
• Courtroom representation: Step in when litigation is required to fight for your best outcome.

The legal process can be intimidating, especially while recovering from physical and emotional trauma. Having a legal advocate by your side levels the playing field and gives you space to recover, knowing your case is in strong hands.

Let Our Decades of Experience Protect Your Future

The actions you take immediately after a hit and run accident can impact your life for years to come. Making informed decisions with proper legal guidance protects your future and maximizes your chances for justice. Do not let confusion or fear prevent you from getting the help you need.

At Michles & Booth, our Florida personal injury lawyers offer honest guidance and aggressive representation. Whether you are a victim seeking justice or someone accused of leaving the scene of an accident, we are here to help.

Don’t Be A Victim Twice!™ If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore recovery options.