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Florida Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

By Recording Law Editorial Team12 min read
Florida Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Florida penalizes leaving the scene of an accident on a four-tier scale under Fla. Stat. 316.027: property damage is a misdemeanor, any injury is a third-degree felony, serious bodily injury is a second-degree felony, and a fatal hit and run is a first-degree felony carrying a mandatory minimum of four years in prison.

Hurt in a hit-and-run? If the driver who hit you fled or had no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured-motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may pay your injury claim. Estimate what it could be worth with our free Florida Car Accident Settlement Calculator.

Understanding Florida Hit and Run Laws

Last verified: March 2026. This guide reflects Florida Statutes Chapter 316, including the 2025 amendments (HB 479, effective October 1, 2025).

Florida treats hit and run offenses seriously. The state consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for hit and run fatalities, prompting lawmakers to strengthen penalties over the past decade. Whether you are involved in a minor fender-bender or a fatal collision, Florida law requires you to stop, identify yourself, and provide assistance.

This guide breaks down every penalty tier, your legal obligations, statute of limitations deadlines, insurance implications, and defenses available under current Florida law.

Penalty Tiers for Hit and Run in Florida

Florida divides hit and run penalties into four categories based on the severity of the crash. Each tier carries different criminal classifications, fines, and potential prison time.

Florida tow truck hook and chain attached to a vehicle frame

Property Damage Only (F.S. 316.061)

Leaving the scene of a crash that results only in damage to a vehicle or other property is a second-degree misdemeanor.

  • Maximum jail time: 60 days
  • Maximum fine: $500
  • Points on license: Varies by court
  • Restitution: As of October 1, 2025, courts may order restitution to the property owner for damages caused by the driver's vehicle under HB 479 (Chapter 2025-14)

If your vehicle is damaged and obstructing traffic but still drivable, failure to move it is a separate nonmoving traffic violation.

Injury (Non-Serious Bodily Injury) (F.S. 316.027(2)(a))

Leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury to another person, where the injury does not rise to the level of "serious bodily injury," is a third-degree felony.

  • Maximum prison time: 5 years
  • Maximum fine: $5,000
  • License revocation: Minimum 3 years
  • Felony record: Permanent unless sealed or expunged

This classification covers injuries such as cuts, bruises, sprains, and minor fractures that do not create a substantial risk of death.

Serious Bodily Injury (F.S. 316.027(2)(b))

Florida defines "serious bodily injury" as a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death, causes serious personal disfigurement, or results in protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function. Leaving the scene after causing such injuries is a second-degree felony.

  • Maximum prison time: 15 years
  • Maximum fine: $10,000
  • License revocation: Minimum 3 years

Death (F.S. 316.027(2)(c))

A fatal hit and run is a first-degree felony carrying some of the harshest penalties in Florida criminal law.

  • Maximum prison time: 30 years
  • Mandatory minimum: 4 years in state prison (cannot be reduced or suspended)
  • Maximum fine: $10,000
  • License revocation: Minimum 3 years

The mandatory minimum of 4 years was established by the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, named after a 31-year-old cyclist and father of two who was fatally struck by an impaired hit and run driver in south Florida in February 2012.

If the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, the mandatory minimum remains 4 years, but additional DUI charges can significantly increase total sentencing.

Offenders with prior convictions for hit and run, racing on highways, or DUI must be held in custody until a bail hearing.

Florida law requires every driver involved in a crash to take the following steps immediately. These duties apply regardless of who was at fault.

Stop immediately. Pull over at the scene of the crash or as close to the scene as safely possible. Do not drive away, even briefly, without first stopping.

Provide your information. Give the other driver, property owner, or responding law enforcement officer your name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver's license (if requested).

Render reasonable assistance. If anyone is injured, you must provide reasonable assistance. This includes calling 911 and arranging transportation to a medical facility if needed.

Move your vehicle if safe. If your vehicle is blocking traffic and is still operable, move it to a safe location nearby. Remaining in the travel lanes creates additional hazards.

Report the crash. If a law enforcement officer is not present at the scene, report the crash to the nearest police authority. Under F.S. 316.065, a written report must be filed within 10 days if the crash caused death, injury, or property damage of $500 or more.

If you hit unattended property: Leave a written notice in a conspicuous place on the damaged vehicle or property with your name, address, and contact information. Then notify the nearest police station.

Enhanced Penalties for Vulnerable Road Users

Under F.S. 316.027(2)(f), Florida provides enhanced penalties when hit and run victims are "vulnerable road users." When the victim falls into one of these categories, the offense is ranked one level higher for sentencing purposes under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code.

Vulnerable road users include:

  • Pedestrians, including highway workers and emergency responders on foot
  • Bicyclists and electric bicycle riders
  • Motorcyclists and scooter operators
  • Persons in wheelchairs or on electric personal assistive mobility devices
  • Skateboarders and roller skaters
  • Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn carriages
  • Farm tractor operators on public roads

Florida's high pedestrian and cyclist fatality rates make this provision particularly significant. In 2023, pedestrians accounted for 23% and cyclists for 7% of all traffic deaths statewide according to NHTSA data.

When Does a Hit and Run Become a Felony?

In Florida, a hit and run becomes a felony the moment any person is injured. The specific felony level depends on the severity:

  • Any injury to another person: third-degree felony
  • Serious bodily injury: second-degree felony
  • Death: first-degree felony

Additional felony charges may apply depending on the circumstances:

  • Vehicular homicide if the driver operated the vehicle recklessly
  • DUI manslaughter if the driver was intoxicated
  • Fleeing and eluding if law enforcement was present and the driver fled from officers
  • Reckless driving causing serious bodily injury or death

Prosecutors can stack these charges, meaning a single incident could result in multiple felony convictions with consecutive sentences.

Statute of Limitations

Understanding filing deadlines is critical for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits.

Civil Claims

  • Personal injury: 2 years from the date of the accident (reduced from 4 years by HB 837, effective March 24, 2023)
  • Property damage: 4 years from the date of the accident under F.S. 95.11(3)
  • Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

Criminal Prosecution

  • Misdemeanor (property damage only): 1 year
  • Third-degree felony (injury): 3 years
  • Second-degree felony (serious injury): 3 years
  • First-degree felony (death): 4 years

Report the crash to law enforcement as quickly as possible. Prompt reporting preserves evidence and witness memories.

Insurance Implications in Florida

Florida is a no-fault insurance state. This affects how hit and run claims are handled.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Florida requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. After a hit and run, your own PIP insurance pays for your medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits, regardless of who caused the crash.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage. If the hit and run driver is never identified, your uninsured motorist coverage (if you carry it) can cover damages beyond PIP limits. UM coverage is not required in Florida but is strongly recommended.

Filing a claim against the at-fault driver. You may file a lawsuit against the hit and run driver if your injuries meet Florida's "serious injury threshold," meaning they resulted in significant and permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.

Do not admit fault at the scene. Anything you say can be used against you in insurance negotiations and court proceedings. Provide the facts to officers and let investigators determine responsibility.

Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine

Florida follows the "dangerous instrumentality doctrine." Under this legal principle, vehicle owners can be held vicariously liable for damages caused by anyone driving their vehicle with permission.

If someone commits a hit and run while driving your car with your consent, you could face civil liability for the victim's injuries and property damage. This creates significant financial exposure for vehicle owners who lend their vehicles to others.

Consult an attorney immediately if someone else was driving your vehicle during a hit and run incident.

Crash Reporting Requirements

Under F.S. 316.065, you must file a written crash report within 10 days if law enforcement did not respond to the scene and the crash involved:

  • Death or injury to any person
  • Property damage of $500 or more

You can file a crash report online through FLHSMV or at your nearest law enforcement office.

Common Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Every case depends on its specific facts. Common legal defenses include:

  • Lack of knowledge: You genuinely did not know you were involved in a crash. However, Florida law presumes knowledge if the crash resulted in injury or death.
  • Safety concerns: You left the scene because you reasonably feared for your physical safety, such as an aggressive or threatening victim.
  • Compliance with the law: You fulfilled all legal requirements (stopping, providing information, rendering aid) before leaving the scene.
  • No actual injury or damage: The alleged victim did not actually suffer injury, or no property damage occurred.
  • Not the driver: Someone else was operating your vehicle.
  • Medical emergency: You left the scene to seek urgent medical care for yourself or a passenger.

Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential if you face hit and run charges.

Florida Traffic Crash Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and NHTSA data for 2023:

  • Total traffic deaths: 3,396
  • Death rate: 15.0 per 100,000 population
  • Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles: 1.42
  • Pedestrian deaths: 771 (23% of total)
  • Motorcyclist deaths: 667 (20%)
  • Bicyclist deaths: 230 (7%)
  • Urban crashes: 75% of fatalities

Florida consistently ranks among the top states for both overall traffic fatalities and hit and run deaths. The high number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities underscores why the legislature created enhanced penalties for offenses involving vulnerable road users.

More Florida Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to report a hit and run in Florida?

You must call law enforcement immediately after a crash involving injury or death. If an officer does not respond to the scene, you must file a written crash report within 10 days through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department or your nearest law enforcement office. For crashes involving only property damage of $500 or more, the same 10-day reporting deadline applies.

What if I hit a parked car and cannot find the owner?

Leave a written note with your name, address, and contact information in a visible spot on the damaged vehicle. Then report the incident to the nearest police station. Failure to do so is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Can the mandatory minimum prison sentence for a fatal hit and run be reduced?

The defendant may petition the court to depart from the 4-year mandatory minimum only if they were not driving under the influence at the time of the crash. The court must find clear and compelling reasons why the mandatory sentence would be unjust. If the driver was impaired, the mandatory minimum cannot be reduced under any circumstances.

What is the penalty for a first-time hit and run offense in Florida?

Penalties depend entirely on the severity of the crash. Property damage only is a misdemeanor with up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Injury to another person is a third-degree felony with up to 5 years in prison. Serious bodily injury is a second-degree felony with up to 15 years. A fatal hit and run carries a mandatory minimum of 4 years in prison, even for first-time offenders.

Does Florida require uninsured motorist coverage for hit and run protection?

Florida does not require uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but it is strongly recommended. If a hit and run driver is never identified, your UM policy can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering beyond what your PIP insurance pays. Without UM coverage, you may have no way to recover full compensation from an unidentified driver.

Injured in Florida? Get a free case review from a personal-injury attorney

If someone else's negligence caused your injury, you may be owed compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Get a free, no-obligation review from a Florida personal-injury attorney. Most work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost.

Updates

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Sources and References

  1. F.S. 316.027: Crash Involving Death or Personal Injuries (2025)(flsenate.gov).gov
  2. F.S. 316.061: Crashes Involving Damage to Vehicle or Property (2025)(flsenate.gov).gov
  3. F.S. 316.062: Duty to Give Information and Render Aid (2025)(flsenate.gov).gov
  4. F.S. 316.065: Crash Reports (2025)(leg.state.fl.us).gov
  5. HB 479 (2025): Leaving the Scene Restitution(flsenate.gov).gov
  6. HB 837 (2023): Tort Reform - Statute of Limitations Change(flsenate.gov).gov
  7. F.S. 95.11: Statute of Limitations (2025)(leg.state.fl.us).gov
  8. FLHSMV: Hit-and-Run Awareness(flhsmv.gov).gov
  9. NHTSA Traffic Safety Data(nhtsa.gov).gov
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