Hit and run accidents in Miami leave you hurt and without answers. A Miami hit and run accident lawyer can help—call now for a free consultation.
Being hit and left behind on Miami’s roads is a frightening experience. The other driver vanishes. You’re left injured, shaken, and wondering what to do next. But you don’t have to face this alone.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our Miami hit and run accident lawyers are here for you 24/7, ready to fight for your rights. We’ve helped thousands of Florida families get the compensation they deserve after hit-and-run crashes. Your consultation is always free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us now at 800-431-6841 for immediate help or click to start your free case review online. We’re standing by to support you.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Miami
In 2024 alone, Miami-Dade County recorded 19,038 hit-and-run crashes, including 32 tragic fatalities. Statewide, nearly 1 in 4 crashes involve a driver who flees the scene, and most victims are left wondering what to do next. Whether it’s damage to your car or life-altering injuries, your next steps are critical.
- Call 911 Immediately
Report the crash to emergency services. Let them know you were involved in a hit-and-run. Request medical assistance if you or anyone else is injured. - Stay at the Scene of an Accident and Stay Safe
Don’t try to chase the other driver. It’s dangerous and could be illegal. Stay where you are, move to safety if possible, and wait for authorities. - Write Down Every Detail You Remember
Note the fleeing vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate (even partial), direction of travel, and any visible damage. These details can help law enforcement track down the driver. - Look for Witnesses or Surveillance Cameras
Ask bystanders what they saw and get their contact info. Check for nearby businesses or homes with security cameras that might have captured the incident. - Take Photos of the Scene
Document your injuries, vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and the general crash area. This evidence can support your insurance claim and legal case. - Report the Crash to Local Authorities
If police don’t arrive on scene, contact:- Miami-Dade Police Department
- Florida Highway Patrol (FHP or 347 from your mobile)
- Or report anonymously via Florida Crime Stoppers (1-800-226-TIPS) or their free mobile app.
- Notify Your Insurance Company
Let your insurer know about the hit-and-run. PIP and Uninsured Motorist Coverage may help cover your losses, even if the driver isn’t found. - Contact a Miami Hit-and-Run Defense Lawyer
An experienced attorney can help you navigate complex insurance issues, fight for your compensation, and work with investigators to pursue the hit-and-run driver.
Florida Hit and Run Laws: What You Need to Know
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of an accident. whether it involves another driver, an unattended vehicle, or property, it can result in serious criminal charges.
According to Florida Statute 316.061, if you’re involved in a crash that causes damage to another person’s car or property, you must stop immediately at or near the scene. Failing to do so is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by jail time and fines. Even if you move your vehicle to clear traffic, you must return and remain at the scene to provide your information.
If the damaged vehicle or property is unattended, Florida Statute 316.063 requires that you try to locate the owner. If that’s not possible, you must leave a note with your name, address, and vehicle registration number in a visible spot, and report the crash to the police without delay. Skipping this step also leads to criminal penalties.
Importantly, these laws also ensure public safety by requiring any obstructing vehicles to be moved and by holding drivers accountable, even when the owner of the damaged property is not present. Autonomous vehicles are held to a slightly different standard but still must report accidents.
What Are Your Insurance and Legal Options After a Hit-and-Run in Miami?
In the meantime, you should speak to a Miami car accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you understand your legal options after a hit and run accident, including:
1. Using Your Personal Injury Protection Insurance
Every driver registered in Florida is legally obligated to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Under this no-fault insurance law, drivers can receive compensation for their injuries. However, PIP will only cover 80% of your medical treatments if the treatment is considered an emergency. Otherwise, you will only receive $2,500 in compensation.
PIP will also cover some of your lost wages. Under Florida law, PIP will cover 60% of your lost wages, up to $10,000. Your policy will cover actual lost wages, as well as daily tasks like housekeeping that you are unable to handle due to your injuries.
Finally, if your loved one is killed in a hit and run accident in Miami, PIP will cover some of the associated expenses. The decedent’s next of kin is entitled to $5,000 to cover funeral and burial expenses, end-of-life medical costs, and lost wages.
2. Using Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Though not required by law, it’s always a good idea to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage covers you if the driver you’re in a wreck with doesn’t have insurance, as the name implies. It will also cover you if you are involved in a hit and run accident since you technically can’t get compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.
The compensation you receive will depend on the amount of coverage you carry. Generally, UM coverage is equal to your liability coverage. If your insurance company refuses to give you compensation through your UM coverage, an experienced car accident lawyer in Miami can take on the insurer to get the compensation you deserve.
3. Filing a Personal Injury Claim
In some cases, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. However, this only applies if the police find the other driver. What’s more, that other driver must be at least partially at fault for the accident. Florida follows a pure comparative negligence statute, which means you can receive compensation for injuries after a wreck, even if you were partially at fault. However, the amount you receive will be lessened by the percentage you were at fault.
In addition, you can’t file a lawsuit unless your medical and other expenses covered by PIP is above $10,000. While this may seem like a high standard, consider the fact that serious accidents can lead to medical expenses well over $50,000. As such, a personal injury lawsuit after a car wreck isn’t all that rare, even in Florida where PIP is mandatory.
How Hard Is It to Prove a Hit and Run?
Proving a hit-and-run can be challenging, especially if there’s limited evidence or no eyewitnesses. But it’s not impossible. Photos, surveillance footage, damage patterns, and your detailed account can help build a strong case. A skilled attorney and investigators can uncover leads even when the other driver disappears.
What if police don’t find the at-fault driver?
You can still recover compensation through your own insurance. Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers your medical costs, and if you carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, it can pay for damages a missing driver would normally be responsible for. Your case doesn’t end just because the other driver fled.
A hit-and-run lawyer can push your insurance company to honor your policy, dig deeper into the investigation, and make sure your claim includes every dollar you’re owed, not just medical bills, but lost work time, emotional distress, and future care needs.
How a Miami Car Accident Attorney Can Help You After a Hit and Run Accident
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our Miami car accident lawyers are well-versed in the laws surrounding hit and run accidents. We’ve also taken on some of the biggest insurance companies in the country to make sure hit and run victims can get the compensation they deserve.
Every car accident case involves an investigation. We will work with local authorities and other professionals in hopes of finding the driver who caused your accident. If the other driver can’t be found, we will fight for every dollar you are owed by your insurance company, whether that’s just through PIP or also through uninsured motorist coverage.
Client Testimonials
150 Southeast 2nd Avenue Suite 338, Miami
-
This was a very good experience, starting from first contract, very friendly explanation, timely and easy scheduling of medical/surgery/therapy following car accident. I would recommend this office for family and friends. Thank You very … More much for your kindness and care!!! -
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS HIT IN THE BACK OF MY CR-V. Honda. I CALLED STEINER AND GREENE, TO SEE WHERE I WOULD BE STANDING AT. SARA MANCINI TOOK MY CASE. IT WAS SO FAST THAT I RECEIVED PHONE CALLS FROM DIFFERENT STAFF … More AT THE OFFICE. MY CASE IS AT THE BEGINNING BUT SO FAR I AM SO SATISFIED WITH EVERYONE S PROFESSIONALISM.SARA MANCINI IS VERY CONCERNED WITH MY CASE. I WOULD HIRE HER ANYTIME.
-
It was a wonderful and informative experience this was my first time going through an attorney and I'm glad I chose these guys
If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, you have legal options. Our Miami car accident attorneys are here to help. Give us a call today at 800-560-5059 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case at no cost to you to help you determine your best path forward.