A hit-and-run accident can leave you injured and unsure where to turn when the other driver disappears. But acting quickly and knowing what to do protects your safety and preserves evidence for a potential claim.
Martindale Law Group draws on more than 50 years of combined experience representing injury victims in Florida. In this guide, we explain what to do after an Orlando hit and run and what options are available when the driver leaves the scene.
Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and fulfill specific duties based on whether the crash caused property damage or injuries. A hit-and-run car accident may involve an occupied vehicle, a pedestrian, multiple vehicles, or an unattended parked car.
“Hit and run” and “leaving the scene” refer to the same conduct: a driver leaves a crash without fulfilling the duties outlined by Florida law. “Leaving the scene” is the terminology used in Florida law, while “hit and run” is the common term.
The law outlines different penalties based on harm involved, including:
Florida law also requires a driver who damages an unattended vehicle to stop, provide identifying information, and notify law enforcement without unnecessary delay. If someone hits your parked car and leaves, check nearby surveillance cameras, doorbell cameras, and dashcams as soon as possible.
Call (407) 897-8964 today if you were injured in a hit-and-run accident.
After a hit and run accident, focus on your safety first. Then preserve the information that may later identify the fleeing driver. Take these steps as soon as it’s safe to do so:
Record as many details as possible while they remain fresh:
If you need to report a hit and run accident in Orlando, contact law enforcement as soon as possible. The agency that handles the report depends on where the crash occurred.
Your insurance policy may cover the accident if police never identify the driver who caused it. A hit-and-run accident attorney will review your policy and available evidence to determine which coverage applies.
Florida does not require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but insurers must offer it with qualifying policies unless the insured rejects it. UM coverage may cover injuries caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver.
Stacked UM coverage may combine coverage limits across multiple insured vehicles, while non-stacked coverage limits how coverage applies between vehicles. A hit-and-run accident lawyer will review your policy and supporting evidence, including the police report and witness statements, when evaluating a UM claim.
You may not need a hit-and-run car accident lawyer if the damage is minor and there are no physical injuries. However, legal representation becomes more important when injuries, disputed insurance coverage, lost income, or an unidentified driver complicate your claim.
Consider speaking with a hit-and-run accident lawyer if:
Martindale Law Group represents Orlando accident victims in complex personal injury and insurance claims. Contact Martindale Law Group for a free consultation if you have questions about your options after a hit-and-run accident.
An experienced attorney adds value when injuries, insurance disputes, or missing evidence complicate your claim. For example, if you required significant medical treatment and were unable to work, an attorney can document treatment, wage losses, and other economic losses. If your insurer disputes your UM claim, an attorney will review the denial and challenge unsupported decisions.
Florida generally gives injured people two years to file a negligence lawsuit. Wrongful death actions also generally carry a two-year deadline. Because exceptions may apply, confirm your specific deadline with an attorney.
Call 911, stay nearby in a safe location, and record everything you remember about the fleeing vehicle. Photograph the scene, collect witness information, and seek medical attention if you are injured.
Potentially. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, it may cover injuries caused by an unidentified hit-and-run driver. A lawyer who handles hit-and-run accidents can review your policy and evidence if coverage is disputed.
Florida generally provides two years to file a negligence lawsuit, although exceptions may affect the deadline. A hit and run accident attorney can determine which deadline applies to your case.
Not always. Hit-and-run accident lawyers add value when you suffered significant injuries, the driver remains unidentifiable, or your insurer disputes coverage. Many hit-and-run accident attorneys offer contingency-fee representation, which means you pay nothing unless your case receives a favorable outcome.
Yes. Leaving a crash involving injury is a third-degree felony, leaving a crash involving serious bodily injury is a second-degree felony and leaving a fatal crash is a first-degree felony. Property-damage-only violations are second-degree misdemeanors.
Truck accidents typically involve specialized evidence, insurance policies, and potentially liable parties. Martindale Law Group’s lawyers can review the crash and determine which sources of compensation may apply.
