What to Do in a Hit and Run: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Yourself in Florida
When another driver flees the scene after hitting you, the confusion and stress can feel overwhelming. We understand that being injured in an accident can have a major impact on your life, and knowing the right steps to take immediately protects your legal rights and helps secure the compensation you deserve.
Here's what every Florida driver needs to know after a hit-and-run accident:
• Your safety comes first - Check for injuries, turn on hazard lights, and never chase the fleeing driver as this creates additional dangers for everyone on the road.
• Call 911 right away - Florida law requires reporting accidents with injuries, deaths, or property damage over $500, and police reports become crucial for your insurance claims.
• Document everything you can - Take photos of vehicle damage, the scene, and gather witness information while looking for security cameras that may have captured the incident.
• File your police report within 10 days - This is a legal requirement in Florida, and failing to do so results in fines and violations on your record.
• Know your insurance options - Your coverage can provide critical support even when the at-fault driver disappears.
Hit-and-run accidents happen frequently in Florida, especially in high-traffic areas, leaving victims confused about their next steps. Florida law requires you to report accidents involving injuries, fatalities, or property damage exceeding $500, and the faster you act, the better your chances of holding the responsible party accountable. Whether or not the fleeing driver is found, your own insurance coverage, particularly Florida's no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP), can provide essential financial support.
From the immediate actions you need to take to your reporting obligations, insurance options, and legal steps - we'll walk you through everything you need to secure the compensation you deserve after a hit-and-run accident in Florida.
What to Do Right After a Hit and Run - Your First Steps Matter
Your Safety Comes First - Don't Make a Bad Situation Worse
When another driver hits you and flees the scene, your first reaction might be anger or confusion. We understand that being struck by a hit and run accident in Florida can leave you shaken and unsure what to do next. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries immediately, even if they seem minor. Some injuries, like concussions, don't show symptoms right away but can become serious without proper medical attention. If anyone is unconscious, bleeding, or in pain, getting medical help takes priority over everything else.
Never chase the fleeing driver. This puts you and everyone else on the road in danger. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers and prevent another collision. If your car is blocking traffic and no one is seriously hurt, move it to the shoulder when you can do so safely. Get out of your vehicle only if it's safe, and stay away from the roadway or behind a guardrail if possible.
Call 911 - This Isn't Optional in Florida
Call 911 after any crash in Florida. Even what seems like a minor collision may require an official report under state law. The dispatcher will send an officer to investigate and create an official police report, which becomes crucial for your insurance claim and any legal action you might need to take. This report documents when and where the accident happened, witness statements, and physical evidence at the scene.
When police arrive, cooperate fully but be careful about what you say. Don't admit fault or say anything that suggests you caused the accident. Don't tell the officer you think you're fine - this statement can hurt your claim later if injuries show up. See a doctor as soon as the police clear you to leave.
Document Everything You Can - Evidence Disappears Fast
While you wait for law enforcement, gather as much information as possible if you're able to move around safely. Take photos of your vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any injuries you can see. Capture debris, skid marks, paint transfer, broken parts, or damaged guardrails and signs. These details become valuable evidence for your case.
Look around for security cameras on nearby businesses, traffic lights, doorbell cameras, or delivery trucks that might have recorded the crash. Try to remember everything you can about the car that hit you - make, model, color, and any numbers or letters from the license plate. Notice bumper stickers, existing damage, or anything else that makes the vehicle stand out.
Get Witness Information Before They Leave
If anyone stopped to help, get their contact information right away. Ask them to give their statement to police about what they saw, where they were standing, and what the conditions were like when the crash happened. Witnesses can provide valuable information about the vehicle that hit you, what the driver looked like, and what happened before and after the collision. They might have seen which direction the car went, caught more of the license plate number, or noticed details about the vehicle that can help identify it later.
Your Legal Obligations After a Hit and Run in Florida
You Have 10 Days to File Your Police Report - Don't Miss This Deadline
Florida law doesn't give you much time after a hit-and-run accident. You must file a police report within 10 days if the crash caused property damage over $500, serious injuries, or death. This deadline applies whether a police officer came to your accident scene or not.
If a police officer responded to your crash, they handle the official report for you. You don't need to do anything else. But if no officer showed up, you're responsible for filing the paperwork yourself.
Here's what you need to do: download the Driver Self-Report of Traffic Crash Form from flhsmv.gov and get it submitted within those 10 days. You can email it to SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov or mail it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety. Keep a copy - you may need it later during your case.
Missing this deadline costs you. The state treats it as a non-moving violation with a $30 fine plus court fees. More importantly, it creates problems for your insurance claim and any legal action you might need to take.
What Details You Must Include in Your Report
The Florida Traffic Crash Report asks for specific information about your accident. You'll need the date, time, and exact location of the crash. Include descriptions of every vehicle involved and the names and addresses of all drivers and passengers.
Don't forget witness information - their names, addresses, and contact details. The report also requires insurance information for each party and which vehicle each person was in.
For hit-and-run cases, include every detail you can remember about the fleeing vehicle - make, model, color, any part of the license plate you saw, which direction they went, and anything that made the car stand out.
"Can I Wait Until Tomorrow to Report This?"
You can report a hit-and-run the next day, and sometimes that's your only option. The report still helps start an investigation and remains necessary for your insurance claim.
But waiting makes your case harder to prove. Witnesses forget what they saw, and physical evidence like skid marks or debris gets cleared away. Your insurance company will ask more questions about why you delayed reporting, which can slow down your claim.
Our advice: report as soon as you safely can. The sooner you act, the better we can fight for your full compensation.
Your Insurance Coverage After a Hit and Run - What You Need to Know
When the other driver flees the scene, you need to rely on your own insurance coverage. Florida's no-fault system and the optional coverages you chose determine how much compensation you can recover after a hit and run accident.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - Your First Line of Defense
Every Florida driver must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. This coverage works regardless of who caused the accident, paying 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to your policy limits.
Here's what you must remember: seek medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to keep your PIP benefits. Wait longer than this, and you risk losing coverage when you need it most.
PIP also provides a $5,000 death benefit that's separate from medical and disability payments. What PIP won't cover is your pain and suffering.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage - Critical Protection for Hit and Run Cases
Florida law treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists. If you carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, this becomes your lifeline for expenses beyond PIP limits.
UM coverage pays for:
- Medical expenses that exceed your PIP benefits
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Long-term disability costs
- Future medical expenses
UM coverage is optional in Florida, and we see clients every week who wish they had purchased it before their accident.
Collision Coverage for Vehicle Repairs
Collision coverage handles your vehicle repairs regardless of fault, including hit-and-run damage. You'll pay your deductible even though the accident wasn't your fault. This optional coverage can save you thousands when the other driver disappears.
What Happens Without Proper Insurance Coverage
Without UM or collision coverage, your recovery options become severely limited unless police identify the fleeing driver. You'll depend on PIP benefits first, then your health insurance once PIP runs out.
Don't let inadequate coverage hurt you twice. We help clients understand exactly what their policies cover and fight to get every dollar they deserve.
Fighting for Your Rights After a Hit and Run - We're Here to Help
Building the Strongest Case Possible
Your police report serves as the foundation for proving your hit-and-run case. We understand that gathering evidence after such a traumatic experience feels overwhelming, but every piece of documentation strengthens your claim. Surveillance footage from traffic cameras, business security systems, or dashcams provides powerful visual evidence identifying the fleeing vehicle.
Physical evidence left behind tells the story - broken headlights, paint chips, or tire marks can match a suspect's vehicle once located. We work with investigators and experts to piece together these details. Medical records establish the direct link between the crash and your injuries, supporting claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don't Battle Insurance Companies Alone
Notify your insurance company immediately after the accident. You'll need to provide your police report, photographs, witness statements, and medical documentation. Your insurer will investigate the claim and may require additional evidence before approving UM coverage benefits.
Insurance companies aren't on your side. They'll look for reasons to deny or minimize your claim. Don't get lost in the paperwork and phone calls when you should be focusing on your recovery.
When You Need a Florida Hit and Run Attorney
Uninsured driver accidents require immediate attorney involvement. Don't wait to get help when facing severe injuries exceeding PIP limits, disputed liability, insurance company bad faith tactics, or complex UM coverage claims.
We investigate the accident, calculate full damages including future expenses, negotiate with insurers, and ensure compliance with filing deadlines. Unlike large firms that treat you like a number, we handle every case personally and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Time Limits You Can't Afford to Miss
Florida law gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline results in case dismissal and loss of your right to recover damages through court. Don't let time run out on your right to compensation.
Justice for Hit-and-Run Drivers
Hit-and-run drivers face serious consequences when caught. Property damage only results in a second-degree misdemeanor with up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Injury crashes become third-degree felonies carrying up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fines. Serious bodily injuries elevate charges to second-degree felonies with up to 15 years imprisonment and $10,000 fines. Fatal crashes result in first-degree felonies with mandatory minimum 4-year sentences, up to 30 years in prison, and $10,000 fines.
We fight to hold these drivers accountable and get you the justice you deserve.
Conclusion
Taking swift action after a hit-and-run protects your rights and strengthens your claim. Document the scene, file your police report within Florida's 10-day deadline, and notify your insurance company immediately. Your PIP coverage provides initial support, while UM and collision coverage offer additional protection. Most important, don't navigate this process alone. If you have been injured in an accident and need a lawyer, call Pittman Law Firm, P.L. today for a free consultation. You deserve full compensation for your injuries and losses.
FAQs
Q1. What should I do immediately after being involved in a hit-and-run accident in Florida? First, ensure your safety and check for injuries. Turn on your hazard lights and move to a safe location if possible. Call 911 to report the incident and wait for law enforcement to arrive. While waiting, document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, the accident location, and any debris. Try to remember details about the fleeing vehicle, such as make, model, color, and any part of the license plate number. Collect contact information from any witnesses who stopped to help.
Q2. How long do I have to file a police report after a hit-and-run in Florida? Florida law requires you to file a police report within 10 days if the crash caused property damage exceeding $500, serious injuries, or death. If law enforcement responds to the scene, they will file the official crash report for you. If no officer arrives, you must complete and submit a Driver Self-Report of Traffic Crash Form to the Florida Department of Highway Safety within this 10-day timeframe.
Q3. What insurance coverage can help me after a hit-and-run accident? Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is mandatory in Florida, covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to policy limits. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists and can compensate you for medical expenses beyond PIP, pain and suffering, and long-term disability. Collision coverage pays for vehicle repairs regardless of fault, though you'll need to pay your deductible.
Q4. Is it difficult to prove a hit-and-run case? Proving a hit-and-run case can be challenging because the at-fault driver has fled the scene. Success depends on gathering strong evidence such as police reports, surveillance footage from traffic or security cameras, physical evidence like paint chips or broken parts left at the scene, witness statements, and medical records linking your injuries to the accident. The more evidence you collect immediately after the incident, the stronger your case becomes.
Q5. How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a hit-and-run accident in Florida? Florida's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your case will be dismissed, and you'll lose your right to recover damages through the court system. It's important to act promptly and consider consulting with an attorney to ensure you meet all filing deadlines.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship with Pittman Law Firm, P.L.
