If someone hit you and drove off, you’re probably feeling angry, stuck, and unsure what to do next. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we’ve helped thousands of people in Florida get the answers and compensation they deserve after car accidents, including hit-and-run crashes. Whether you were in the car or found your vehicle damaged with no note, we know how to deal with insurance and push for the full amount you’re owed.
You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. We’re available 24/7—ready when you are.
Call now or start your free case review online. Let’s get to work.
Why Hit-and-Run Accidents Hit So Hard
In 2024, Florida recorded 97,973 hit-and-run crashes and 247 deaths. Most victims never get a name or license plate—just damage, stress, and silence.
These are some of the hardest cases we handle. There’s no driver to blame on the scene, and insurance companies know it. They drag their feet, deny claims, and hope you’ll give up.
PIP coverage helps a little, but it runs out fast, especially with serious injuries. Our job is to step in, uncover the facts, and fight to get you paid. We’ve done it for others, and we can do it for you.
And your first steps after the crash matter more than you think.
What to Do Right After a Hit-and-Run in Florida
If you’ve just been hit and the other driver took off, every minute counts. What you do next can make or break your case, especially when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve. Here’s what you need to do, step by step:
- Call 911 Immediately
Don’t wait. Even if you think the damage is minor or you feel okay, you need a police report. It’s required for your insurance to treat it as a hit-and-run. Tell dispatch you were hit and the other driver fled. If you’re hurt, ask for medical help right away. - Don’t Try to Follow the Driver
We know it’s tempting, especially when emotions are high. But chasing after someone who just committed a crime can put you in more danger, and it could even complicate your case. Stay where you are and focus on what you can control. - Take Photos and Notes
Grab your phone and document everything: scene of an accident, damage to your vehicle, debris, skid marks, location, and your injuries (if any). Write down everything you remember, including what the other car looked like, how fast it was going, what direction it headed, even a partial plate number if you caught one. - Look Around for Witnesses
Ask anyone nearby what they saw. People at gas stations, nearby cars, or pedestrians may have noticed more than you think. Get names and contact info. Their statement could help track down the driver or strengthen your insurance claim. - Find Security Cameras
Businesses often have security footage, but many systems automatically delete videos in 24 to 72 hours. Time matters here. If you’re at a store, parking lot, or apartment complex, ask if they’ll save the footage. Make a note of any cameras you see around, and let police know too. - Report the Crash to Your Insurance
Even if the other driver is long gone, report the hit-and-run to your insurance. Make sure they list it as a hit-and-run and not just a “collision” or “property damage.” This matters, especially if you have uninsured motorist (UM) or collision coverage. - Call a Car Accident Lawyer Before Giving a Statement
Insurance companies often ask for a recorded statement right away—but their goal isn’t always to help you. Talk to us first. We’ll walk you through what to say, what not to say, and how to protect your rights from the very beginning.
What the Florida Hit and Run Law Says
In Florida, leaving the scene of a crash is a crime. Whether it’s a major wreck or a parking lot scrape, the law is clear: if you hit something, you stop. If someone hits you and takes off, they’ve broken that law.
Under Florida Statute §316.061, any driver involved in a crash that causes property damage, like hitting your parked car, must stay and exchange information. If they flee the scene and don’t try to locate the owner or leave a note, they can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor. That can mean fines and jail time.
If someone is injured in the crash and the other driver flees, §316.027 comes into play. That’s when it jumps to a felony. Serious injury makes it a third-degree felony. If someone dies, it becomes a first-degree felony, carrying a mandatory minimum of four years in prison under the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act.
Even hitting a mailbox or shopping cart and driving away can trigger penalties under §316.063, especially if the vehicle or property owner can’t be identified and no contact is made.
Florida law gives you the right to recover, but you’ll need the right steps and support to make that happen.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Hit-and-Run in Florida?
When someone crashes into you and disappears, you still have ways to recover money for what you’ve lost. We hear from people all the time who feel like they’re out of options, but Florida law gives you a few important paths forward, even when the other driver is never found.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Florida requires every driver to carry PIP, but it’s limited—and most people don’t realize that until after a crash.
PIP will cover up to 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost income, but only up to $10,000. If your injuries aren’t labeled an “emergency medical condition,” the cap drops to $2,500.
That barely covers a single ER visit, much less rehab, imaging, or follow-up care. And if you miss more than a few days of work, you’re probably still left covering the difference out of pocket.
PIP helps, but it’s just a starting point. You’ll likely need more.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
If you were hit by a driver who fled the scene, or if they’re found but don’t have insurance, your UM policy is the next layer of protection.
In a perfect world, every hit-and-run driver would be caught and charged. But the truth is, many aren’t. Florida law allows you to seek compensation through your own insurance, even if the at-fault driver is never found.
This is where having Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage can make a big difference. UM coverage isn’t required in Florida, but it should be. UM coverage steps in when there’s no other insurance to collect from, including in hit-and-run cases. But getting those benefits isn’t automatic. Insurers still push back, especially when there’s no second driver to point to.
Unlike PIP, UM can help cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical expenses
- Long-term therapy or surgeries
- Lost income over time
The problem is, even though you’ve paid for it, your own insurance company might fight to avoid paying you what it’s worth. We’ve handled plenty of cases where clients got lowballed or flat-out denied after filing a UM claim. That’s where we step in to hold your insurer accountable and make sure you get what your policy promises.
Filing a Lawsuit (If the Driver Is Found)
If the hit-and-run driver is eventually identified, and they have insurance or assets, you may have the option to file a civil lawsuit. This allows you to seek full compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs or total loss
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Florida’s comparative negligence law still applies. That means even if the crash was partly your fault, you can still recover damages, but your total just gets reduced by your share of the blame.
For example, if the court finds you were 20% at fault and your damages were $100,000, you could still collect $80,000.
We know how overwhelming this all sounds. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. Every case is different, and your options depend on how the crash happened, what coverage you have, and whether the other driver is ever located.
Let us help you sort it out and get the full value of what you’re owed.
Not Sure Where to Start? We Handle It All
Most people hit by a driver who takes off have no idea where to begin. That’s completely normal. You didn’t ask to be in this situation, and the last thing you need is more stress.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we’ve helped thousands of Florida families recover after hit-and-runs, whether the driver was caught or not. We know how to move fast, protect your accident claim, and deal with the pushback that always seems to come from insurance companies. Here’s what we take care of from day one:
- Investigate the crash and look for witnesses
We gather details from the scene, speak to people nearby, and dig for the pieces that can help prove what happened. - Work with police and request camera footage
From traffic cams to business security videos, we know how to preserve and request key footage before it’s erased. - Handle every call, form, and email with your insurance
We don’t let them twist your words, delay your payout, or minimize your injuries. You talk to us, we deal with them. - Negotiate your injury claim or go to court to get the highest compensation possible
Whether it’s through your PIP, UM policy, or a civil lawsuit, we fight to recover everything you’re legally entitled to. - You never pay out of pocket
Our fee comes from the settlement—never from you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay us a thing.
You might still have questions or feel unsure about what comes next. That’s okay. The most important step is reaching out. We’ll walk you through it, answer every question, and take the pressure off your shoulders so you can focus on getting back to your life.
Real Stories from Our Clients
Serving Clients Across Florida
We’re here to help no matter where your crash happened. Our law firm has offices in:
- Miami
- West Palm Beach
- Coral Gables
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Jacksonville
- Tampa
- Okeechobee
- Orlando
- Port St. Lucie
- St. Petersburg
Start Your Free Case Evaluation Today
If someone hit you and took off, we’re ready to step in and make things right. You don’t pay unless we win. No hidden fees. No pressure. Just help.
Our car accident lawyers have represented over 32,000 injured clients in Florida, and we’re ready to fight for you. Call us anytime at 800-821-6844 or start your free case review online. Let’s get you answers and results.
Hit-and-Run Accident FAQ
You’re not out of options just because no one was there. We’ve handled plenty of cases where the only witness was a damaged car and a streetlight. Security footage, paint transfer, debris, and even your own statement can help prove what happened. Time matters though—nearby businesses often delete camera footage within days. We’ll help move fast and preserve what evidence exists.
That’s more common than you’d think. Most hit-and-runs happen fast—at night, in parking lots, or when you’re not even near your car. If you didn’t catch the plate or see the driver, it doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim. You can still use your own insurance coverage, including PIP and Uninsured Motorist (UM), and we’ll build a case with what you do know.
Yes, but only if you have the right coverage. PIP is required in Florida and helps with medical bills and part of your lost income—up to $10,000. If you also have Uninsured Motorist coverage (which includes hit-and-runs), it can cover more: long-term treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. If your insurer refuses to pay fairly, we’ll step in and handle that fight for you.
Only if the at-fault driver is identified. In that case, we can file a civil lawsuit to recover the full value of your damages. That includes everything from car repairs to pain and suffering. But if the driver isn’t found, your legal path shifts to making a strong insurance claim—and possibly using crime victim resources. We help with both.
If your rental car was hit and you weren’t at fault, your rights don’t disappear. You may still be responsible for the damage upfront, but if we can prove another driver caused it, we can help shift liability. Rental coverage gets tricky, especially with peer-to-peer platforms like Turo. We’ve seen renters hit with thousands in unexpected bills. If this sounds like your situation, call us before you agree to pay anything.
If you’re facing accusations of leaving the scene, don’t wait and hope it goes away. A hit-and-run charge in Florida can lead to jail time, license suspension, fines, and a permanent criminal record, even if no one was hurt.
Maybe you panicked and left. Maybe you didn’t even realize there was contact. We’ve seen it happen: drivers clip a mirror, bump a car in a parking lot, or react out of fear. That doesn’t make you a criminal. But if you wait too long to respond, things can spiral quickly.
Our criminal defense team can step in immediately to protect your rights, explain your side, and push back on weak evidence. Don’t go through police interviews or court hearings alone. We can work to reduce the charges, negotiate with prosecutors, and help you avoid long-term damage to your record and future.
Call us before making any statements. Your next steps matter.