Florida Car Accident Help

1. 1

   Stop and check for injuries

   Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and remain at the scene until they have exchanged information. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.

2. 2

   Make the scene safe

   Turn on your hazard lights. If only vehicles or property are damaged, Florida law asks drivers to make every reasonable effort to move vehicles that block traffic — and moving does not in itself mean you were at fault.

3. 3

   Exchange information

   Names, addresses, vehicle registrations, driver licences and insurance details.

4. 4

   Report it

   Crashes involving injury, death or apparent damage of $500 or more must be reported to law enforcement immediately.

5. 5

   Record the scene

   Photos of vehicles, plates, the road, signals and injuries, plus witness names and numbers.

The full checklist is in what to do after a car accident in Florida.

Florida requires owners of vehicles with four or more wheels to carry at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability. Bodily injury liability is generally not required, which is why many drivers carry no coverage for injuries they cause.

PIP is no-fault coverage: it pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses, up to $10,000, whoever was at fault. Initial care must generally be received within 14 days of the crash, and without an emergency medical condition determination, medical benefits are limited to $2,500. See the PIP 14-day rule and medical bills after a car accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage can help when the at-fault driver has little or no insurance. It is included at your bodily injury limits unless you rejected it, or chose lower limits, in writing. See uninsured and underinsured drivers.

Law enforcement completes a long-form report for crashes involving injury or complaints of pain, a driver leaving the scene, a driver under the influence, a vehicle that has to be towed, or a commercial vehicle. Reports are confidential for 60 days — available to the parties and certain others with a sworn statement — and public after that.

Most reports can be bought online for $10, plus a $2 convenience fee, through the Florida Crash Portal. See how to get a Florida crash report, or what to do with no police report.

Florida uses a modified comparative fault rule for most negligence claims: damages are reduced by a person’s share of fault, and someone found more than 50% at fault generally cannot recover damages from other parties.

In 2023, Florida reduced the general time limit for negligence claims to two years, for causes of action arising after March 24, 2023. Some claims have different deadlines. Only a licensed Florida attorney can tell you which deadline applies to you — don’t wait to ask.

Report the crash to your own insurer promptly. Be careful with the other driver’s insurer: you can take their details and respond when you are ready, and you don’t have to give a recorded statement on the first call. See when the insurance company calls.

Swift Attorney answers calls, texts and form enquiries 24/7, listens to what happened, helps you understand a sensible next step and, where appropriate, may connect you with a participating accident attorney or medical provider. It is free to contact Swift Attorney.

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