Miami Hit and Run Accident Lawyer - We Fight for Victims When Drivers Flee

Florida takes hit-and-run offenses seriously. Under F.S. §316.027, any driver involved in a crash that results in injury or death is required to stop, provide identification and insurance information, and render reasonable aid. Leaving the scene is a crime - and the penalties escalate with the severity of the crash:

• Property damage only - second-degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days in jail)
• Injuries involved - third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison)
• Serious bodily injury - second-degree felony (up to 15 years)
• Death - first-degree felony (up to 30 years in prison, mandatory minimum 4 years)

These criminal penalties are separate from any civil injury claim. Even when a hit-and-run driver faces criminal prosecution, the criminal case does not automatically compensate you for your injuries. You generally need to pursue a separate civil claim to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

How Hit-and-Run Victims Recover Compensation in Florida

When the at-fault driver flees and is later identified - through witness testimony, surveillance footage, or police investigation - you may file a claim against that driver's bodily injury liability insurance, just as you would in any other car accident case.

When the driver is never found, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be your primary path to compensation. UM coverage is designed for exactly this situation - it pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified. Florida does not require UM coverage, but insurance companies are required to offer it, and many drivers carry it. If you have UM coverage, your own insurer steps into the shoes of the missing driver's insurer.

Your PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage also applies. Under F.S. §627.736, PIP pays up to $10,000 for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault - but you must seek treatment within 14 days of the accident to preserve these benefits.

1. Call 911 immediately. Report the accident and provide as many details as possible about the fleeing vehicle - color, make, model, license plate number (even partial), and direction of travel.
2. Stay at the scene. Even though the other driver left, you are still required to remain and report the accident.
3. Document everything. Photograph the scene, your vehicle damage, skid marks, debris, and your injuries. Look for nearby security cameras that may have captured the incident.
4. Talk to witnesses. Ask anyone who saw the crash for their contact information. Witnesses may have seen details you missed - including the license plate number or a description of the driver.
5. Seek medical attention within 14 days. Under F.S. §627.736, you must see a doctor within 14 days to preserve your PIP benefits. Many hit-and-run injuries - concussions, whiplash, internal bleeding - may not show symptoms immediately.
6. Contact your insurance company. Report the accident to your own insurer. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, this is where your claim may begin.
7. Contact an attorney. A Miami car accident lawyer can review your insurance policies, identify all available coverage, and pursue every avenue of compensation on your behalf.