If you just had a car accident in Florida, start with safety: stop, check for injuries, and call 911 if someone needs emergency help. Once you are out of immediate danger, exchange information, document what happened, and notify your insurance company.
You do not have to settle every question at the roadside. Focus on getting help and preserving the information you will need in the days ahead.
Stop and check whether anyone needs help
Florida law requires drivers to stop after a crash and fulfill their duties before leaving. Those duties include providing identifying information and arranging reasonable assistance for injured people when needed. Do not drive away because the damage looks minor or because you believe the other driver caused the collision.
Tell the emergency dispatcher where you are, how many vehicles are involved, and whether anyone appears injured. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions rather than trying to manage an unfamiliar medical emergency yourself.
Move out of traffic when it is safe
For a property-damage-only crash, Florida law requires reasonable efforts to move a damaged vehicle that is blocking traffic. Moving it does not, by itself, establish that you caused the accident.
If the vehicle can be moved safely, use a nearby safe location. Do not remain in an active lane to photograph damage. If someone is hurt or the vehicle cannot be moved safely, explain the situation to emergency personnel.
Report the crash under Florida’s rules
Immediate law-enforcement notification is required for a crash involving injury or death. For property damage, the statutory threshold is an apparent amount of at least $500 through September 30, 2026, increasing to $2,000 on October 1, 2026.
If you are unsure about injuries or damage, contact law enforcement for guidance. A separate rule generally requires a driver to submit a written report within 10 days when a damage crash does not require a law-enforcement report. Ask which reporting process applies before assuming an exchange of phone numbers is enough.
Exchange information and save the details
Florida requires drivers to provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number, and to show an available driver’s license upon request. Also collect the other driver’s insurance information and a reliable contact number.
When it is safe, photograph vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and the surrounding intersection or roadway. Ask witnesses for contact information and save any dashcam recording.
Write down what you remember while it is fresh. Separate what you actually saw from what you suspect. Keep original photographs and recordings rather than relying only on screenshots sent through messages.
Pay attention to symptoms after the collision
Feeling alert at the scene does not rule out an injury. CDC guidance explains that some concussion symptoms can appear hours or days later. Worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, or difficulty waking require emergency medical attention.
For other new or persistent symptoms, seek appropriate medical evaluation. Tell the clinician when the crash happened, what you felt initially, and what changed afterward. Describe symptoms accurately without minimizing or exaggerating them.
Understand Florida’s 14-day PIP requirement
Florida’s personal injury protection law generally requires qualifying initial medical services within 14 days for PIP medical benefits. Eligibility, covered services, and payment limits also matter. This insurance requirement is separate from a lawsuit deadline; missing it does not automatically resolve every possible injury claim.
Do not treat the fourteenth day as a suggested appointment date. Let your medical needs guide how quickly you seek care.
Notify your insurer and organize your records
Report the collision promptly and follow your policy’s requirements. Ask about the claim number, vehicle inspection, repair estimates, and available coverage before authorizing repairs. Florida’s Department of Financial Services recommends timely reporting and understanding your responsibilities under the policy.
Keep medical paperwork, towing receipts, repair estimates, and insurance correspondence together. Before signing a settlement release, make sure you understand which claims it would resolve.
For a recent Florida crash, a negligence injury lawsuit generally carries a two-year limitation period. Exceptions and other claim types can involve different rules, so have the actual deadline checked rather than assuming insurance discussions protect it.
How Invictus Legal can help
If injuries, insurance questions, or uncertainty about the next step remain, request an initial consultation with Invictus Legal. Share general information about the collision and ask whether the firm may be able to assist.
Important note
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Rights, coverage, deadlines, and outcomes depend on the facts and applicable law. Contacting Invictus Legal does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation requires case evaluation, conflicts review, and a written agreement.
Sources and further reading
- Florida Statutes § 316.062 (information exchange and assistance).
- Florida Statutes § 316.065 (crash reporting).
- Florida Statutes § 627.736 (PIP benefits).
- Florida Statutes § 95.11 (limitation periods).
- Florida Department of Financial Services: Personal Automobile Insurance Overview.
- CDC: Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion.