A hit and run shatters your sense of control. One moment you are driving, the next moment the other driver vanishes, and you are left with damage and stress. Florida law treats leaving the scene as a crime, but that will not preserve video evidence or call your insurer. You need a simple plan you can run.
The goal is safety first, evidence second, and coverage third. Follow these eight steps to protect your health, preserve proof, and keep your claim moving when the at-fault driver is gone.
1. Get to safety and call 911
Get out of traffic if your car can move, and turn on hazards. Check for injuries, and call 911 even if the damage looks minor. Ask for police and medical help. A formal report anchors your timeline and confirms that the other driver fled, which matters for uninsured motorist claims.
Accept on-scene evaluation if offered, and do not chase the car or argue with bystanders. When you are safe, call a trusted Florida car accident lawyer. Early guidance helps you avoid missteps with statements, forms, and medical documentation. The first hour sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Document the scene with photos and video
Your phone is your best tool. Take wide shots that show lanes, signs, traffic lights, and skid marks. Capture close-ups of every dent, scratch, broken light, and airbag, and photograph debris fields and any parts left behind. Be sure to also record a slow video sweep from several angles, and zoom in on surveillance cameras attached to buildings or homes.
Additionally, note cross streets and landmarks so footage can be located later. Snap the weather, lighting, and any visual obstacles. If you see paint transfer, capture it up close. Small details tell big stories. They can also match a fleeing car to a later repair.
3. Talk to witnesses, then secure their contact information
People want to help, but then they scatter. Act quickly, and ask for names, phone numbers, and emails. Confirm the best time to reach them, and record short voice notes while the memory is fresh. Ask what they saw, where they stood, and which direction the other car went. Make sure to save any statements in your notes app.
If a business owner saw the event, ask for the manager’s card. If someone followed the car, ask where they last saw it and whether they captured a plate. Witnesses bring independent credibility. Their notes can anchor your timeline when the other driver denies fault or cannot be found.
4. Hunt for video, then lock it down
Video evidence wins cases. Time matters, especially since many systems overwrite within days. Start a tight radius search. Ask managers at gas stations, groceries, garages, and apartment gates for footage of the accident. Request doorbell footage if the crash happened in a neighborhood, and note the exact time window and camera positions.
Share this list with your lawyer. They can send preservation letters and follow up with formal requests. If you spot traffic cameras, write down the intersection names. Check buses and rideshare drivers who passed through at the same time. The sooner you act, the better your odds. You should also keep clips offline and private. Posting online invites arguments and can distort your record.
5. Seek prompt medical care and follow the plan
Adrenaline masks pain right after the accident. Neck, back, shoulder, and head symptoms often spike the next day. Get evaluated within 14 days to preserve PIP benefits. Tell the provider this was a hit-and-run, and make sure to describe every symptom, even if it feels minor or intermittent.
Ask for a written plan and follow it, and keep visit summaries, imaging reports, and receipts organized. Avoid gaps in treatment without clear reasons. If you miss a session, note why and document home care. Consistency protects your medical credibility and links injuries to the crash. It also reduces the chance that an adjuster claims your pain came from somewhere else.
6. Notify your insurer, then control the flow of information
Report the crash to your insurer within the window in your policy. Stick to facts, including date, time, location, damage, injuries, and that the other driver fled. Do not guess speeds or distances, or admit fault. Ask for your claim number and adjuster contact, and decline recorded statements until you have counsel.
If the other driver’s insurer calls, refer them to your lawyer, keep a call log, and save every email. You should also request written confirmation of any benefits you qualify for, such as PIP medical payments, rental coverage, and collision. Accurate, calm communication speeds the necessary benefits. Loose statements create problems that are hard to unwind.
7. Preserve every scrap of evidence and track costs
Create a dedicated folder for your case. Store photos, videos, witness details, incident numbers, and medical records. Make sure to keep tow slips, repair estimates, and car rental bills, and save pharmacy receipts and therapy schedules. You should also track lost work hours and reduced pay.
Use a simple spreadsheet, and add a brief note for each entry that shows the date, the amount, and the impact on your life. Pain logs also matter. Write short daily notes on symptoms, sleep, mobility, and missed activities with family or work. Evidence shows loss, and proper organization turns that evidence into results. It also lowers your stress because you can see progress at a glance.
8. Understand Florida coverage paths and expand protection
Hit-and-run claims often rely on your own policy. Personal Injury Protection pays for medical costs first, and Medical Payments coverage can help with gaps. Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver has no coverage or cannot be found. Collision coverage pays for car repairs after your deductible.
Review your limits today, not after a crash. Consider stacking UM, higher limits, roadside assistance, and rental coverage. Ask your agent for a written summary, then keep a copy in your glove box. Be sure to update the listed drivers and garaging addresses. Preparation reduces stress and protects your future when seconds count.
Endnote
You did not cause a hit-and-run, so do not let it control your next steps. Safety first, records second, and smart advocacy all the way through. Move out of danger, call 911, and get checked by a clinician. Additionally, photograph everything, gather witnesses, and start the video search within hours. Report the claim and guard your statements with help from counsel. Organize evidence and costs in one place. With calm steps and the right partner, your case can still move forward.
