Hit and Run Accident in Florida? Don’t Panic—Do This

You’re involved in an accident, and then the other vehicle takes off. No exchange of information, no waiting for the police, just gone. In Florida, hit-and-run accidents happen more often than many realize, and they leave behind a lot of confusion about what to do. Whether you’re dealing with vehicle damage, injuries, or next steps, knowing how to protect yourself legally is key. In this article, we break down everything you need to know from a legal perspective about what a hit-and-run really means in Florida, and the steps you should take afterward.

Hit-and-Run Accidents in Florida: A Persistent and Deadly Trend

Despite small year-to-year shifts, Florida’s hit-and-run numbers have remained consistently high for over a decade, rarely dipping below 90,000 incidents per year.

To better understand the scale and consistency of these crashes, we analyzed official traffic data from the last six years. The chart below shows both the number and percentage of hit-and-run crashes and fatalities compared to the statewide totals each year.

The 2021 total of over 107,844 was one of the highest on record, and although 2024 saw a modest drop, it’s still nearly 98,000 crashes that make up almost 26% of the total, according to FLHSMV data. Another troubling trend is that the number of deaths has remained alarmingly high, particularly among pedestrians and cyclists. These groups made up more than three-quarters of fatal hit-and-run victims, with nighttime conditions playing a major role in over 80% of those deaths, according to FLHSMV.

So while vehicle safety features may improve and enforcement efforts increase, hit-and-run crashes remain a persistent threat, especially to those most exposed. Now, let’s take a closer look at what qualifies as a hit-and-run accident under Florida law.

What Is Considered a Hit-and-Run in Florida?

In Florida, a hit-and-run isn’t just about driving away but about failing to do what the law requires after any crash, no matter how minor. If you’re involved in an accident, the law expects you to stop immediately, stay at the scene, and share key information: your name, address, driver’s license, and insurance details. If someone is injured, you’re also required to offer “reasonable assistance,” which can mean calling 911 or making sure emergency help is on the way.

Florida law refers to this as “leaving the scene of a crash”, and it’s covered under Florida Statutes § 316.061, 316.062, 316.063, and 316.027. The requirements depend slightly on the circumstances, but the legal expectations are clear:

• You must stop at or near the scene and remain there until you’ve met all your legal duties.
• If anyone is hurt or killed, you must provide reasonable help and alert emergency responders.
• If the other vehicle or property is unattended, you must leave a written note with your contact details and notify law enforcement without delay.
• You must avoid blocking traffic, but moving your vehicle must be done without leaving the scene entirely.

Failing to do any of this, even if you didn’t cause the crash, can lead to serious criminal charges. The law doesn’t only apply on highways. It applies in neighborhoods, parking lots, and even on private property. And when someone is injured or killed, the penalties only get more severe.

Hit-and-Run Penalties in Florida: Fines, Jail Time, and Charges

The law takes hit-and-run cases seriously. Hit-and-run can be a felony in Florida. In fact, it often is, especially when the crash causes injury or death. The severity of the charge depends on what happened during the accident, but Florida law lays out clear penalties that range from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. Here’s how it breaks down:

No Injuries (Property Damage Only)

• Charge: Second-degree misdemeanor
• Penalty: Up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine
• License Suspension: Typically not mandatory

Injuries (But Non-Fatal)

• Charge: Typically a third-degree felony
• Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine, and a mandatory license revocation of at least 3 years

Fatalities

• Charge: First-degree felony, under the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act
• Penalty: Minimum 4 years in prison, up to 30 years, and a $10,000 fine
• License: Automatically revoked for a minimum of 3 years

If you’re wondering how long the state has to file charges, Florida prosecutors can bring misdemeanor charges within 2 years, and felony charges within 3 to 4 years of the incident. But if the crash involved a death and qualifies as a felony, that window can be extended under the state’s statute of limitations. In other words, don’t assume time will run out quickly on a hit-and-run case.

That’s why it’s critical not to leave the scene and to take the right steps after a crash, especially if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Florida

If you’re involved in a hit-and-run crash in Florida, don’t wait or assume nothing can be done.

1. Call 911 immediately, even if no one seems injured. This ensures that law enforcement arrives to secure the scene, file a police report, and begin an official investigation. That report becomes a crucial piece of evidence moving forward.
2. Collect details: while still at the scene, focus on collecting details. If you caught a glimpse of the vehicle that hit you, try to remember its make, model, color, license plate (even partial), or anything noticeable like damage or decals. If you saw the driver, even a rough description helps. If anyone nearby witnessed the crash, ask them to speak with the police and, if possible, get their names and contact info before they leave. Their account may be key in identifying the fleeing driver.
3. Take photos of everything: your vehicle, the crash site, road conditions, debris, skid marks, and the surrounding area. Note the time and exact location. If the crash happened near a business, residence, or traffic light, point it out to officers as camera footage might be available, and officers can request it before it’s erased.

Even if the other driver disappears, the information you gather at the scene can keep your case moving forward. It gives law enforcement a better chance of identifying the person responsible and lays a solid foundation if you decide to pursue a legal claim. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident can help you take the right steps, preserve key evidence, and put you in the strongest position to take control of what happens next.

If you panicked and left the scene, your next steps matter. Here’s what you can do to improve your chances and protect yourself legally.

What to Do If You Left the Scene of an Accident in Florida

If you panicked and left the scene of a crash, whether it was a quick scrape in a parking lot or something more serious, don’t assume it will blow over. Florida law treats any case of leaving the scene as a criminal offense, and the longer you wait to act, the worse the outcome can be. Police may already be reviewing traffic footage, collecting witness statements, or tracing vehicle debris. If they find you before you come forward, you’ll be facing the situation with less control and more risk.

The best thing you can do is contact the police and explain what happened. An even smarter move is to reach out to an experienced hit-and-run defense attorney right away. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we’ve helped clients to protect their rights and limit the damage in different situations. Whether you weren’t sure what happened, thought no one was hurt, or didn’t fully understand the law, your lawyer can guide you through what comes next. The sooner you speak with a lawyer or the authorities, the more options you’ll have to protect your license, your record, and your freedom. Mistakes happen, but what you do afterward matters.

One of the most common hit-and-run scenarios involves parked cars. So let’s take a look at how Florida law treats those situations.

What Happens If You Hit a Parked Car or Your Parked Car Gets Hit

If you hit a parked car and leave without doing anything, you’ve also committed a hit-and-run under Florida law, even if no one was around and the damage seems minor. The law is clear: if you hit unattended property, you must stop, make every effort to find the owner, and leave a written note in a visible spot with your name, address, and vehicle registration. You also have to report the incident to the nearest police department without unnecessary delay. Failing to do that could get you charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Now flip the scenario. If your parked car is hit and the other driver takes off, you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, and you still have legal options. Call law enforcement right away to file a report, and if possible, collect evidence. That includes photos of the damage, broken parts left behind, and any nearby security or doorbell cameras that might have caught the crash. If a witness saw the vehicle or managed to snap a photo of the license plate, share that with the police.

Another thing you might wonder is how a hit-and-run investigation is handled, and whether there’s any real chance of finding the at-fault driver.

How Hit-and-Run Investigations Work in Florida

When a driver flees the scene, police don’t just let it go. Hit-and-run is a crime in Florida, and law enforcement treats it that way. But the reality is, not every case gets solved, especially when the crash happens at night, in a low-traffic area, or without cameras or witnesses. That’s why your actions right after the crash matter so much.

Once you call 911, officers start collecting evidence on the spot. They’ll look for vehicle debris, paint transfer, skid marks, and the exact point of impact. If you or a witness caught even part of the license plate or noticed anything about the make, model, or damage to the other car, they’ll log that immediately. The direction the driver fled is another key detail; they’ll check nearby traffic or surveillance cameras, and in many cases, reach out to local businesses or homes that might have caught the vehicle on video.

If you were injured and transported from the scene, investigators will often follow up later to get your full statement. They may also speak with witnesses again, check hospitals for anyone who came in with crash-related injuries, or issue public alerts if they believe the suspect vehicle is still in the area.

Despite these efforts, not every driver is found. In 2023, Florida saw over 104,000 hit-and-run crashes, and only a small fraction led to arrests. Statewide data suggests that most solved cases involve serious injuries or deaths, where investigators prioritize the case and often have more evidence to work with. Fatal hit-and-runs, for example, are more likely to draw media coverage and tip-offs from the public.

That doesn’t mean you’re out of options if the driver isn’t caught. Insurance can still help. But if the suspect is identified later, weeks or even months down the line, you may be able to pursue a civil case or file a direct insurance claim against them, depending on the damage and their policy coverage. Even if the driver isn’t identified, you may still be able to recover compensation for your damages depending on your insurance coverage.

Insurance Coverage Options After a Hit-and-Run in Florida

When the other driver takes off after a crash, you’re left with the damage, such as your injuries, your car, and your medical bills. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. In Florida, your own insurance policy may still offer coverage, even if police never identify the driver who hit you.

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
  Every Florida driver is required to carry PIP coverage. It doesn’t matter who caused the crash because your policy applies either way. PIP typically covers up to $10,000 in combined benefits. That includes 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of lost wages if your injuries keep you from working. So if you go to the ER and miss a week of work because of a hit-and-run, your PIP can help pay those costs while the case is still open.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
  UM coverage isn’t mandatory in Florida, but it’s one of the most important protections you can have in a hit-and-run situation that is quiter often. If the at-fault driver can’t be found or if they’re found and have no insurance, Florida law treats the case like an uninsured driver claim. UM coverage can step in to help with serious injuries, pain and suffering, future lost income, and long-term treatment that your PIP doesn’t cover. For example, if you suffer a broken leg or a concussion in a hit-and-run and need follow-up care or physical therapy, UM can fill the gap once your PIP runs out.
• Collision Coverage
  If your car is damaged and the other driver disappears, collision coverage on your auto policy may pay for repairs. This coverage applies whether the damage was your fault or not, but you’ll usually have to pay a deductible. Some insurance companies may choose to waive the deductible in a hit-and-run, but most don’t unless the other driver is identified.
• Florida’s Crime Victim Compensation Fund
  In some cases, hit-and-run victims may qualify for help through Florida’s Crime Victim Compensation Fund. This is a state-run program that helps victims of certain crimes cover out-of-pocket expenses. To apply, the crash must be reported to law enforcement within three days, and you have to file a claim within one year.

The fund may help pay for medical care, mental health services, or funeral expenses. But it comes with strict rules: victims must not have contributed to the crash or been involved in illegal activity at the time.

To pursue any of this compensation, you’ll need to file a car accident claim and build a strong hit-and-run case.

What the Hit-and-Run Claim Process Looks Like in Florida

Filing a claim after a hit-and-run in Florida isn’t as straightforward as a typical accident and most people don’t realize that until they’re in it. When the at-fault driver disappears, you’re left to file a claim through your own insurance, which means you’re now proving someone else’s negligence without having their name. That adds pressure and often delays. In fact, hit-and-run claims often take longer to resolve than standard crash claims, especially when there are injuries involved and no third party to pursue.

First, as we’ve mentioned above, the police report is everything. It officially documents the crash as a hit-and-run, which you’ll need to open a claim under uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, PIP, or collision. Insurance companies want details: where it happened, how it happened, what the damage looks like, and how soon you reported it. If you delay calling law enforcement or filing your claim, your insurer could deny it entirely.

Once your claim is submitted, your insurance company will investigate just like they would in a regular crash. They may review traffic camera footage, talk to witnesses, examine photos, and even inspect your vehicle for the angle and type of damage. But in a hit-and-run, they’ll be looking extra closely for anything that contradicts your version of events because no one is there to defend themselves or accept blame.

At this point, you may be dealing with multiple parts of your own policy at once: PIP for medical bills, UM for bodily injury, and collision for car repairs.

If your injuries are serious, the process often takes longer. Insurance companies don’t rush to offer full payouts, especially when no third party is available to pursue reimbursement.

If the police identify the driver later, your claim may shift to include a liability claim against that person’s insurance, if they have any. But that rarely happens quickly. In most cases, you’ll deal with your own insurer from start to finish, and if they lowball you or deny the claim, the only way forward is negotiation or filing a lawsuit.

That’s why having legal help early in the hit-and-run claim process can save you time, money, and stress. A skilled attorney can keep the claim on track, protect you from technical denials, and make sure you’re not left covering the costs of someone else’s crime.

Will Your Insurance Go Up After a Hit-and-Run in Florida?

It’s a question we hear all the time: “If I wasn’t at fault, why would my rates go up?” And while it might not seem fair, your insurance premium can still increase even if you’re the victim in a hit-and-run. Florida insurance companies base rates on risk, not just blame. So even if the other driver took off and left you with the damage, your insurer might see the claim as a sign that you’re statistically more likely to be involved in another one.

That said, the impact on your premium depends on a few things: your insurance history, the type of claim you file, and whether your insurer can recover any money (which is rare in hit-and-run cases). If you file through your collision coverage, for example, your insurer may treat it like any other at-fault accident when calculating future rates. If you use Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, the effect might be lower, but it can still show up at renewal time.

Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs, especially if you’ve had a clean driving record. Others may still raise your premium even if you did everything right. The best move? Get legal advice before you file. Our car accident attorneys can help you document the claim properly and push back if your insurance company tries to punish you for something you didn’t cause.

How Our Lawyers Help After a Hit-and-Run Crash

Hit-and-run cases aren’t just frustrating—they’re personal. You’re left with damage, injuries, and no one to hold accountable. That’s where we come in. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our car accident lawyers have handled thousands of Florida crash cases, including hit-and-runs where the driver was never found. We know how to push back when insurance companies stall or deny, and we’re ready to step in from day one.

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, we’ll handle every part of your case: gathering evidence, pulling surveillance footage, working with investigators, interviewing witnesses, and making sure your medical care and claim stay on track. We deal with the paperwork and pressure, so you can focus on recovery. If the fleeing driver is identified later, we’ll pursue every legal avenue to hold them accountable and recover what they owe you. That includes pain and suffering, long-term medical costs, and lost wages.

If you’ve been accused of a hit-and-run or are involved in a crash and now face charges or a lawsuit, the stakes are high, and mistakes made early in the case can follow you. Our legal team also defends clients accused of leaving the scene. We dig into the details, challenge any weak evidence, and fight to protect your rights and your future.

We’re available 24/7, and we proudly serve clients in West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Port St. Lucie, and beyond. Whether you’re the one hit or the one facing the spotlight, you deserve someone who knows Florida law inside and out and who treats your case like it matters, because it does. At our firm, you’re not just another claim, you’re someone who deserves answers, support, and a real chance to move forward.