Do Not Leave the Scene of a Car Crash – Here’s Why

Hit-and-run car accidents are a big problem in the state of Florida, with nearly 25% of all crashes involving a hit-and-run driver. Most of these accidents result in property damage, but the reality is that a good amount of hit-and-run accidents can result in serious injuries or even death.

According to the FLHSMV, there were 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida in 2023, a decrease of less than 1% from 2022. Of these hit-and-run collisions in 2023, 271 lives were lost, and another 871 suffered serious bodily injuries. In 2023, 271 people were killed in hit-and-run accidents, including 159 pedestrians and 47 bicyclists.

What Are the Laws in Florida Regarding Hit-and-Run Accidents?

Florida law requires drivers to stop immediately when a collision occurs on private or public property, causing property damage, injuries, or fatalities.

The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act was enacted into Florida law on July 1, 2014, which enhanced the penalties for hit-and-run drivers. The statute bears the name of Aaron Cohen, a father of two and an active cyclist who died in February 2012 in South Florida after being hit by a drunk driver who fled from the scene of the crash. The hit-and-run driver received a two-year prison term, less than what would have resulted from a DUI manslaughter conviction. A driver found guilty of fleeing the scene of a collision that results in death faces a minimum sentence of four years under the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act.

If you’re in an accident, stay at the scene and call for help. It is more than just the law; you could save someone’s life.

Some crashes may solely result in property damage, such as a parked automobile with no one inside, a mailbox, a fence, or a landscape/garden. Stay at the accident scene and contact the property owner. If the property owner is unavailable, the driver should leave their contact and insurance information in a visible spot.

If the accident only involved property damage, the motorist and crash victim can self-submit a crash report with FLHSMV after establishing contact, negating the requirement for a police officer to police to file a crash report.

Why Do People Leave the Scene of a Crash?

There are many studies regarding why people flee the scene of the crash, but some of the main reasons are:

• Fear of consequences, such as arrest, deportation, civil liabilities, and more
• Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
• Driving a stolen car
• Transporting illegal or stolen goods
• Irrational decisions/sheer panic
• Avoiding arrest/additional charges
• Unlicensed
• Uninsured

Regardless of your fears, you should never flee the scene of a car crash. Leaving the scene of a car accident before the police arrive can result in serious legal consequences. Everyone involved in an accident should follow the law in their best interest.

Who Pays for Damages in a Hit-and-Run Crash?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in Florida pays for damages when you are involved in a crash with a driver who lacks insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages. UM coverage also comes into play if the driver leaves the accident scene.

Our Florida Car Accident and Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are ready to offer you our experience handling car accidents, including hit-and-runs. We can help you review your UM coverage, file any insurance claims, and investigate your accident, hoping to find the person responsible. We help injury victims resolve car accident claims and fight for the compensation they deserve. To learn more, call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.