Overview of Florida Hit and Run Laws

Florida hit-and-run laws instruct motorists on what to do after a crash. The rules exist to ensure that injured victims get immediate medical care and that motorists do not simply flee the scene. At JustCallMoe, we have represented many motor vehicle accident victims, and we unfortunately have seen too many people left to fend for themselves after a devastating accident. We are proud to offer our legal services to anyone injured in an accident and encourage you to reach out to us today. Our Orlando hit and run lawyer reviews the key statutes.

Important Florida Hit and Run Laws

There are two hit-and-run statutes, found at Florida Statutes § 316.061 and 316.062. The rules are slightly different depending on whether you were involved in a crash that only caused property damage or one where people were also hurt.

Property-Damage Accident

Any driver involved in a crash that causes property damage must do the following:

• Immediately stop their vehicle at the scene or as close as possible.
• Move the vehicle if it is obstructing traffic so that the normal flow of traffic can resume.
• Try to find the vehicle’s owner if the vehicle is unattended.
• Share your name, address, and registration number with the car’s owner.
• Show your license or permit, if requested.
• If the owner cannot be found, attach your information in a conspicuous place on the vehicle.
• Report the accident to the nearest police department.

Don’t simply leave if the vehicle is unattended. The hit and run Florida law requires that you leave your name, address, and registration number in a conspicuous place. Some people write a note and pin it under the windshield wiper so that it doesn’t blow away.

If you fail to do these steps, then you have committed a misdemeanor under Florida law.

Accidents Involving Bodily Injuries

If someone is hurt in the crash, then the driver has additional responsibilities. Let’s review everything they need to do:

• Stop the vehicle immediately.
• If obstructing traffic, move the vehicle to the side of the road.
• Share your name, address, and registration number for the vehicle you are driving.
• Exhibit your license or permit, if requested by anyone involved in the crash.
• Provide reasonable assistance to injured victims, which can include carrying them to the hospital or calling for an ambulance.
• Report the accident to the nearest police station if no officer comes to the scene.

As you can see, when someone is hurt, the driver must provide reasonable assistance. Motorists cannot simply flee the scene and leave injured people to fend for themselves. That violates the hit-and-run Florida law, and you can face legal consequences if you are caught.

What is “Reasonable Assistance” to an Injured Victim?

When someone is hurt in a crash, the other driver must render reasonable assistance. But what does that mean?

First, you do not need to engage in heroics. If you don’t know CPR, you probably shouldn’t attempt it on someone. That is a good way to leave someone worse off than if you did nothing.

Second, your ability to render assistance will depend on your injuries. Many high-speed accidents result in both drivers needing an ambulance. Your car might be rendered inoperable, and you cannot even move to reach your cell phone. Or you were knocked unconscious.

Typically, uninjured motorists need to call an ambulance to help someone get to the hospital if they are seriously hurt. You should ask anyone if they need a lift and then use your phone to call, if you can. In other situations, it might be easier to give someone a ride to the nearest emergency room.

Hit and Run Statistics in Florida

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Sunshine State sees around 100,000 hit and run accidents each year, which result in about 1,000 serious injuries:

• 2018: 103,213 accidents, with 1,172 serious injuries
• 2019: 105,925 accidents, with 1,112 serious injuries
• 2020: 92,300 accidents, and 983 serious injuries
• 2021: 109,626 accidents, with 1,185 serious injuries
• 2022: 104,895 accidents, 1,007 serious injuries

Numbers fell due to COVID, but have jumped up to where they are averaging around 1,000 seriously injured victims each year. It makes perfect sense that the state wants drivers to help anyone hurt in a crash.

Remember to always stop after any accident. You don’t want to face any criminal penalties, which can result in increased insurance premiums, public embarrassment, and possibly job loss.

How Will a Violation of Hit and Run Laws in Florida Impact Your Personal Injury Case?

At JustCallMoe, we help accident victims seek financial compensation after all kinds of motor vehicle accidents. Hit-and-run collisions present certain problems. Injured victims must first identify the driver who struck them if they hope to receive compensation in a negotiated settlement or lawsuit.

Florida requires that drivers have personal injury protection insurance, which can provide compensation for medical care and some lost income. But if you suffered serious injuries, then a claim against the at-fault driver makes sense, if you can find them.

Some drivers flee because their license has expired, or they were intoxicated and don’t want to be arrested. A drunk driver is more than negligent; they have engaged in reprehensible behavior and might need to pay punitive damages.

Call our office. We can search for any fleeing motorist. An accident in downtown Orlando might have been captured on security cameras at one of the nearby homes or businesses. We can request access to the footage and see if the camera captured the driver’s license plate. If we find the driver, we can file a claim against them.

What happens if the motorist is never found? In that case, we might file a claim on your uninsured motorist insurance policy if you carry that coverage.

Consult an Orlando Hit and Run Lawyer Today

Our firm has brought many injury claims on behalf of accident victims. We know what evidence is helpful when negotiating a claim, and we are eager to share our knowledge with the community. 

JustCallMoe to schedule your free consultation with an experienced hit and run lawyer.