What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Florida

How to protect your health, your evidence, and your right to compensation when the other driver flees

Few things feel more unfair than being hurt in a crash and watching the driver who caused it speed away. In the moments after a hit and run, you may be shaken, angry, and unsure who is going to pay for your medical bills or your damaged car.

The good news is that a fleeing driver does not automatically leave you without options. Florida law and your own insurance policy may still provide a path to compensation, but the steps you take in the first hours and days matter.

This guide walks you through what to do after a hit and run accident in Florida, how Florida's no-fault insurance system works when the at-fault driver is unknown, and when it makes sense to talk with a personal injury lawyer.

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The Short Answer: What to Do After a Hit and Run in Florida

If you are hit by a driver who leaves the scene in Florida, get to safety, call 911, and report the crash to law enforcement right away. Florida law requires drivers to immediately report crashes involving injury or death to local police, the county sheriff, or the Florida Highway Patrol. Write down everything you remember about the other vehicle, take photos, and look for witnesses or nearby cameras.

Next, get medical care within 14 days. Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays a portion of your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, but you generally must seek treatment within 14 days to qualify. Then notify your own insurance company. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, it may help cover losses beyond what PIP pays when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Finally, keep in mind that most Florida negligence claims must be filed within two years.

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Step 1: Make Sure You Are Safe and Call 911

Your first priority is safety. If you can, move out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 even if you think your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can hide pain, and an emergency call starts an official record of what happened.

Do not chase the fleeing driver. Following a car at high speed can put you and others in danger, and it can complicate your own claim. Your job is to stay safe and preserve information, and law enforcement's job is to find the driver.

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Step 2: Report the Crash to Law Enforcement

Under Florida Statute § 316.065, a driver involved in a crash that causes injury or death, or property damage of $500 or more, must immediately report it to the local police department, the county sheriff, or the Florida Highway Patrol. In a hit and run, a police report is especially important because it documents that another driver caused the crash and then left.

When the officer arrives, share every detail you can remember, even if it feels small:

• The color, make, model, and approximate age of the other vehicle
• Any part of the license plate, even a few letters or numbers
• Visible damage, stickers, or distinguishing features on the vehicle
• The direction the driver went and the time the crash happened
• Anything you noticed about the driver

Ask the officer how to get a copy of the crash report and write down the report number.

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Step 3: Gather Evidence Before It Disappears

Evidence in a hit and run can vanish quickly. If you are physically able, use your phone to photograph the scene, the damage to your vehicle, debris left behind by the other car, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions.

Look around for people who saw the crash and get their names and phone numbers. Also note any businesses, homes, or intersections nearby that may have security or traffic cameras. Footage is often recorded over within days, so it helps to identify possible sources early. If you have a dash camera, save the video right away.

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Step 4: Get Medical Care Within 14 Days

Seeing a doctor promptly protects both your health and your claim. Some injuries, such as concussions, whiplash, and internal injuries, may not cause obvious symptoms for hours or days.

In Florida, timing has a direct impact on your insurance benefits. Under Florida's PIP law, you generally must receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash to qualify for PIP benefits. Waiting too long can cost you coverage you have already paid for. Keep copies of every medical record, bill, and receipt related to your treatment.

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Step 5: Notify Your Own Insurance Company

Because the at-fault driver is unknown, your own policy is often the main source of recovery after a hit and run. Notify your insurer promptly and provide the police report number. Many policies require prompt notice, and delays can give an insurer a reason to question your claim.

Stick to the facts when you talk with any adjuster. Do not guess about your injuries, downplay your pain, or agree to a recorded statement before you understand your rights. Remember that even your own insurance company is trying to limit what it pays.

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If you were injured in a hit and run in Florida, Biazzo Injury Law can help. Contact us for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

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How Florida Law Applies to Hit and Run Accidents

Florida's rules for hit and run claims are different from those in many other states. Here is what you should know.

Florida is a no-fault (PIP) state. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, vehicles registered in Florida must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). PIP pays a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages no matter who caused the crash, which means it can apply even when the other driver is never found. PIP generally covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, and the full $10,000 is typically available only when a doctor determines you had an emergency medical condition.

Uninsured motorist coverage can fill the gap. Florida does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage, and PIP alone often does not cover the full cost of a serious injury. Under Florida Statute § 627.727, insurers must include UM coverage in auto policies unless the named insured rejects it in writing. If you have UM coverage, it may help pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering beyond PIP when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Policy terms vary, so it is worth having your policy reviewed carefully.

Leaving the scene is a crime in Florida. Under Florida Statutes § 316.061 and § 316.027, leaving the scene of a crash involving only property damage is a misdemeanor, while leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury or death is a felony. A criminal case against the driver is separate from your civil claim for compensation. If the driver is later identified, you may be able to pursue a claim against that driver and their insurance as well.

Florida uses modified comparative negligence. Since the 2023 tort reform law (HB 837), Florida generally bars an injured person from recovering damages if they are found to be more than 50% at fault. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers sometimes argue that a hit and run victim shares the blame, so careful documentation matters.

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How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Florida?

HB 837 also shortened Florida's statute of limitations for general negligence claims, including most car accident injury claims, from four years to two years for claims arising after March 24, 2023. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your case. Insurance policies may also have their own notice and claim deadlines, and different rules may apply to certain types of claims. Because a hit and run often involves both an investigation and an insurance claim, it is wise to get legal advice well before any deadline approaches.

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When Should You Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Not every accident requires legal representation. However, legal guidance may be helpful when:

• You were seriously injured or needed ongoing medical treatment
• Your medical bills are more than your PIP coverage will pay
• Your insurance company is delaying, denying, or undervaluing your UM claim
• The insurer is suggesting you were partly at fault
• The fleeing driver has been identified and you need to pursue their insurance
• A loved one was killed in a hit and run crash

An attorney can help gather evidence, request camera footage, deal with insurance adjusters, and make sure your claim is filed on time. Every case is different, and no lawyer can guarantee a particular result, but having someone on your side can take a significant burden off your shoulders while you focus on recovering.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Accidents in Florida

Can I get compensation if the hit and run driver is never found?

Often, yes. In Florida, your own PIP coverage pays a portion of your medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, it may also cover losses beyond PIP, including pain and suffering, when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Your specific policy terms will matter.

Do I have to report a hit and run accident in Florida?

Yes, if the crash caused injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more. Florida Statute § 316.065 requires drivers to immediately report those crashes to local police, the county sheriff, or the Florida Highway Patrol. A police report also creates important evidence for your insurance claim.

What is the 14-day rule after a Florida car accident?

Under Florida's PIP law, you generally must receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of a crash to qualify for PIP benefits. If you wait longer, your insurer may deny those benefits. Seeing a doctor promptly also creates a clear record linking your injuries to the crash.

Is hit and run a felony in Florida?

It depends on the harm caused. Leaving the scene of a crash involving only property damage is a misdemeanor in Florida, while leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death is a felony. The criminal case is separate from your right to seek compensation for your injuries.

How long do I have to file a hit and run injury claim in Florida?

Most Florida negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, must be filed within two years. Insurance policies can also have their own notice requirements, and some claims may follow different deadlines. Speaking with a lawyer early helps make sure you do not miss an important date.

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Talk With a Florida Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Being hurt by a driver who refuses to take responsibility is frustrating and frightening, but you do not have to sort it out alone. Biazzo Injury Law helps injured people in Florida understand their options, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation they may be owed after a hit and run.

Attorneys William Parris and Corey Biazzo offer a free, no-obligation consultation, and we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fee unless we win. Contact Biazzo Injury Law today to talk about what happened and your next steps.

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