Understand your legal duties after a car accident in Florida before you make a costly mistake.
Every motorist on Florida’s roads has certain legal obligations after an accident. If you fail to fulfill these responsibilities, you could face significant penalties. To help protect yourself, you should understand what the law requires you to do following a car crash.
Below, you can find an overview of your critical duties after a Florida car crash. To learn more, you can read Chapter 316 of the Florida Motor Vehicle Code.
1. Florida Driver Exchange of Information Law
Florida law requires any driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or property damage to stop at the scene of the accident. You need to stay at the location long enough to provide the other parties in the accident with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.
You also must give this information to any police officer that arrives at the scene and show your driver’s license if asked.
The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash which results in injury to a person… [or] the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash, or as close thereto as possible, and shall remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of § 316.062.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash shall give his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle, and upon request and if available exhibit his or her license or permit to drive, and give such information and, upon request, exhibit such license or permit to any police officer at the scene or who is investigating the crash.
2. Florida Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
After a Florida car crash, you have a duty to assist any other people who get hurt in the accident. You can fulfill this duty by transporting the injured person to receive medical attention, calling for help from an ambulance, or making other transportation arrangements.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash shall render to any person injured in the crash reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary, or if such carrying is requested by the injured person.
3. Florida Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
There are two criteria for when a driver is legally required to report a Florida car accident to the police. If anyone was hurt or killed, you must immediately report the crash to the nearest local law enforcement agency. Likewise, if the collision caused $500 or more of property damage, you need to notify the police.
If the driver is incapacitated and cannot contact law enforcement, a passenger must make the report in their place if they are able to do so.
The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury to or death of any persons or damage to any vehicle or other property in an apparent amount of at least $500 shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the crash to the local police department.
A crash report is not required under this chapter from any person who is physically incapable of making a report during the period of such incapacity.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of making an immediate or a written report of a crash, and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the crash capable of making a report, such occupant shall make or cause to be made the report not made by the driver.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Florida?
Not reporting an accident as legally required by Florida is a noncriminal traffic infraction. Since failing to report an accident is punishable as a nonmoving violation, you can receive a $30 fine.
A violation of this subsection is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation.
4. Florida Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
Even if no one is hurt in a Florida car crash, you may still need to report the accident to the police and provide your information to other drivers. If property damage appears to equal at least $500, you must inform local law enforcement of the accident.
Similarly, if the accident causes any amount of property damage, you must stop your vehicle as soon as possible and exchange information with the other people involved. If asked, you will also need to show your driver’s license and provide your information to any police officers investigating the crash.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property shall immediately stop such vehicle and remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of § 316.062.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in damage to any vehicle shall give his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle, and upon request exhibit his or her license or permit to drive, and give such information and, upon request, exhibit such license or permit to any police officer at the scene or who is investigating the crash.
The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury to or death of any persons or damage to any vehicle or other property in an apparent amount of at least $500 shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the crash to the local police department.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Florida?
If you hit a parked car in Florida, you must supply your name, address, and vehicle registration number, either by finding the car’s owner or leaving a note.
When leaving a note, it must be securely placed somewhere the other driver will likely find it. You also must report the collision to the police if you can’t find the other car’s owner, even if the damage appears minimal.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended, resulting in any damage, shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle, or attach securely in a conspicuous place a written notice, and notify the nearest police authority.
It’s essential that you don’t panic when you get into a Florida car accident. However, there are steps you must take to avoid facing legal consequences. You can protect yourself in the future by understanding the law and following it if get into a crash.
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