What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Florida?

You've just been in a car accident in Florida, and your mind is racing through a dozen questions at once. Are you required to call the police? What happens with insurance? How long do you have before it's too late to do anything about it?

Knowing what to do after a car accident in Florida matters because the state has its own rules for reporting crashes, its own no-fault insurance system, and its own deadlines for filing a claim. Missing a step, even an easy one like seeing a doctor within the first two weeks, can affect what insurance benefits are available to you later.

This guide walks through the practical steps to take at the scene, what Florida law requires afterward, and when it may make sense to talk with a Florida car accident lawyer about your situation.

What Steps Should You Take Immediately After a Florida Car Accident?

Answer first: Check for injuries, move to safety if it's possible to do so, and call 911 when the situation calls for it. From there, exchange information, document the scene, and avoid discussing fault.

1. Check for Injuries and Get to Safety

Before anything else, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If the vehicles are drivable and it's safe to do so, Florida law encourages moving vehicles out of the flow of traffic to reduce the risk of a secondary crash. If anyone is seriously hurt, don't attempt to move them unless there's an immediate danger, such as fire.

2. Call 911 When Required

Florida law generally calls for law enforcement to be notified when a crash involves injury, death, apparent intoxication, a hit-and-run, or property damage that appears to reach at least $500. In practice, many people call 911 for any crash on a public road, since officers can help direct traffic, document the scene, and complete an official report.

3. Exchange Information, But Avoid Discussing Fault

Exchange names, contact details, driver's license numbers, insurance information, and vehicle details with the other driver(s). It's generally wise to stick to factual information and avoid speculating about who caused the crash, since fault determinations can involve more evidence than what's visible at the scene.

4. Document the Scene

Photos and notes taken soon after a crash can be difficult to recreate later. Useful documentation often includes:

• Photos of all vehicles, license plates, and damage from multiple angles
• Photos of the road, traffic signals, skid marks, and weather conditions
• Contact information for any witnesses
• The responding officer's name and badge number, if law enforcement responds
• A note of the approximate time, date, and location

Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in Florida?

Answer first: Yes, in many situations. Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 316.065 and § 316.066) generally requires a crash report when a wreck involves injury, death, apparent impairment, a hit-and-run, or roughly $500 or more in damage. If law enforcement does not respond or file a report, the driver is generally expected to submit a self-report.

When a law enforcement officer investigates a qualifying crash, a "long-form" crash report is typically submitted to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) within 10 days of completing the investigation. For crashes that don't meet that threshold, an officer may complete a shorter report or have the drivers exchange information directly.

If no officer responds and the crash still involves injury, death, or at least $500 in damage, Florida generally expects the driver to submit a self-report — the Driver Report of Traffic Crash (form 90011s) — to FLHSMV within 10 days. This form can typically be submitted by email or mail. Keep a copy for your own insurance records.

How Does Florida's No-Fault Insurance Affect What You Should Do?

Answer first: Florida requires most registered vehicles to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which generally pays a portion of your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. To use it, you typically need to get initial medical treatment within 14 days.

Under Florida's no-fault system (Fla. Stat. § 627.736), PIP is generally the first source of payment for your own medical bills after a crash, regardless of fault. PIP commonly covers a percentage of reasonable medical expenses and lost wages, up to the policy limit, along with a death benefit. Whether the full limit or a reduced amount applies can depend on whether a medical provider determines you have an "emergency medical condition."

One of the most important practical points is the so-called 14-day rule: to remain eligible for PIP medical benefits, Florida law generally calls for the injured person to receive initial medical services within 14 days of the crash. Waiting longer, even if injuries seem minor at first, can affect what PIP benefits are available.

Because Florida's insurance rules have been the subject of ongoing legislative discussion, and proposals to change the no-fault system have been introduced in recent sessions, it's worth confirming the current status of these requirements with your insurance agent or a qualified attorney rather than relying on outdated articles or general summaries found online.

What Documents and Evidence Should You Gather?

Answer first: Keep the crash report, medical records, insurance correspondence, photos, and a record of missed work or expenses. These materials can support both an insurance claim and, if needed later, a legal claim.

What Is the Filing Timeline After a Car Accident in Florida?

Answer first: Most negligence-based car accident lawsuits in Florida must be filed within two years of the accident date, following a 2023 change to Florida law (House Bill 837). Some claims, such as those involving a government vehicle or uninsured motorist coverage, follow different timeframes.

Effective March 24, 2023, Florida Statute § 95.11 shortened the general negligence statute of limitations from four years to two years. This change applies to accidents occurring on or after that date; crashes before then may still fall under the older four-year period. A separate two-year deadline applies to wrongful death claims, measured from the date of death rather than the date of the crash.

Claims against a government entity, such as one involving a city or county vehicle, generally involve additional pre-suit notice requirements and shorter internal deadlines under Florida's sovereign immunity statute. Uninsured motorist claims are often treated as contract disputes with your own insurer and may follow a longer period. Because these categories can overlap and exceptions are narrow, confirming the deadline that applies to a specific situation is something to discuss with a qualified attorney.

Note: This table summarizes general patterns reported in current legal sources and is not a substitute for confirming the exact deadline that applies to your situation with a licensed Florida attorney.

State-Specific Considerations in Florida

Answer first: Florida is a no-fault, modified comparative negligence state, which affects both how insurance claims are handled and how a lawsuit, if one becomes necessary, might play out.

• No-fault insurance: PIP generally pays first, regardless of fault, up to policy limits.
• Modified comparative negligence: Since 2023, Florida law generally bars someone from recovering damages if they are found more than 50% at fault for their own injuries.
• Serious injury threshold: To pursue certain non-economic damages from an at-fault driver, Florida law generally requires the injury to meet a specific legal definition.
• High rate of uninsured drivers: Florida has a comparatively high percentage of uninsured motorists, which is part of why uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is often discussed alongside standard auto policies.

Laws and insurance requirements can also be affected by ongoing legislative activity, and proposed changes to Florida's auto insurance framework have been debated in recent legislative sessions. Because proposals that are discussed in the legislature don't automatically become law, it's important to confirm the current status of any rule with your insurer, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, or a licensed attorney rather than relying on outdated headlines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident in Florida

Answer first: The most common mistakes involve delaying medical care, giving a recorded statement without understanding its purpose, and failing to keep records.

• Waiting too long to see a doctor. Delaying past the 14-day window can affect PIP eligibility, even for injuries that seem to improve on their own initially.
• Not reporting the crash. Skipping a required report can lead to a fine and can complicate an insurance claim.
• Giving a recorded statement without preparation. Insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to establish fault; consider understanding your rights before providing a detailed statement.
• Accepting a quick settlement before understanding your full damages. Some injuries and costs aren't apparent right away.
• Losing track of documents. Photos, receipts, and records can be hard to reconstruct months later.
• Missing filing deadlines. Confusion about which statute of limitations applies can lead to a claim being filed too late.

When Should You Hire a Florida Car Accident Lawyer?

Answer first: Many people handle minor, no-injury property damage claims on their own. Situations involving significant injuries, disputed fault, a denied claim, or a fatality are commonly when people choose to speak with a Florida car accident lawyer.

Every case is different, and there's no single rule for when legal representation becomes necessary. Some situations where people commonly seek guidance from a Florida car accident lawyer include:

• The crash resulted in significant injuries, hospitalization, or ongoing treatment
• The insurance company disputes fault or denies part of a claim
• PIP benefits have been exhausted, and medical bills continue
• Another driver was uninsured or underinsured
• A loved one died in the crash
• You're unsure which statute of limitations applies to your situation

An attorney generally cannot guarantee a particular outcome, settlement amount, or case value, since every case depends on its own facts, evidence, and applicable law. What an attorney can typically do is help you understand your options and the procedures that apply to your circumstances.

Practical Next Steps

Answer first: Prioritize your health, keep records organized, understand your insurance coverage, and get informed about deadlines before they become urgent.

1. Follow up on any recommended medical care, even if symptoms seem minor.
2. Confirm whether a crash report was filed, and request a copy for your records.
3. Review your auto insurance policy to understand your PIP, property damage, and any uninsured motorist coverage.
4. Keep a folder (physical or digital) with all photos, receipts, and correspondence related to the crash.
5. Note key dates, including the 14-day medical treatment window and any applicable statute of limitations.
6. Consider speaking with a qualified Florida car accident lawyer if you have questions about your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions