What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida

8 Steps That Protect Your Claim

In Florida, the clock starts ticking the moment a crash happens.
The first 14 days after an accident can determine whether you receive compensation — or walk away with nothing.

If you’ve just been in a car accident, you’re probably shaken up. Your adrenaline is high. You’re trying to process what just happened. That’s normal.

But what you do next matters — a lot.

Florida’s insurance laws are different, and they’re unforgiving if you miss a step. Follow these steps to protect both your health and your legal rights.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911

Before anything else, check yourself and anyone else in the vehicle. If someone is injured, call 911 immediately.

Even if the crash seems minor, request law enforcement at the scene. A police report creates an official record documenting:

The drivers involved
The location of the crash
The officer’s initial observations

That report often becomes critical later when insurance companies start asking questions.

Florida law requires accidents involving injuries, death, or significant property damage to be reported. When in doubt, call.

Step 2: Move to Safety if You Can

If your vehicle is operable and it’s safe, move out of traffic. Turn on hazard lights and pull to the shoulder or a nearby safe area.

Do not leave the scene.

Leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries is a felony in Florida. Even in property-damage-only crashes, leaving can result in criminal charges and destroy your insurance claim.

Stay put. Stay visible. Stay safe.

Step 3: Document Everything

Your phone is one of the most important tools you have after a crash.

Take photos of:

All vehicles involved (multiple angles)
Damage to each vehicle
Vehicle positions after the crash
Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
Traffic lights, signs, and lane markings
Weather and lighting conditions
Any visible injuries
License plates
The other driver’s license and insurance card

Take more photos than you think you need. What feels obvious at the scene is often disputed later.

Step 4: Exchange Required Information

Florida law requires drivers to exchange basic information.

Get:

Full name
Phone number and address
Driver’s license number and state
Insurance company and policy number
License plate number
Vehicle make and model

Provide your information as well — that part is required.

Keep the conversation limited. This is not the time to argue fault or replay the accident.

Step 5: Look for Witnesses

Witnesses can be incredibly valuable.

Other drivers, pedestrians, or nearby employees may have seen what happened. If possible, get:

Their name
Phone number
Email address

Independent witnesses often make the difference when stories change later.

Step 6: Don’t Admit Fault

This is where many people unintentionally damage their case.

Statements like:

“I’m sorry”
“I didn’t see you”
“That was my fault”

…can be used against you later.

Stick to the facts. Don’t speculate or assign blame.

Florida uses comparative negligence rules, meaning fault can reduce what you recover. Casual statements made under stress can cost you real money.

Step 7: Get Medical Treatment Within 14 Days

This step is critical.

Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Miss that deadline, and your insurance company can deny PIP benefits entirely.

This isn’t just a legal issue — it’s a health issue.

Adrenaline masks pain. Injuries like concussions, whiplash, herniated discs, and internal injuries often appear days later.

Getting checked early:

Protects your health
Creates a medical record
Links your injuries directly to the crash

Understanding Florida’s PIP Coverage

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning your own insurance pays first.

PIP may cover:

Up to $10,000 for emergency medical conditions
Up to $2,500 for non-emergency injuries
80% of medical expenses
60% of lost wages

PIP runs out quickly in serious cases — which is when claims against the at-fault driver become necessary.

Step 8: Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney Before Talking to Insurance

Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line — not you.

They may:

Request recorded statements
Push quick settlements
Look for reasons to reduce or deny your claim

Before giving a statement, signing paperwork, or accepting an offer, talk to a personal injury attorney.

Most consultations are free. And injury cases are handled on contingency — you don’t pay unless there’s a recovery.

The Two-Year Deadline Most People Don’t Know About

Florida now gives accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline used to be four years — it changed in 2023.

Miss it, and your right to compensation is gone forever.

Two years passes quickly when you’re dealing with medical care and insurance delays. Strong cases take time to build.

Why Florida Accidents Are Different

Florida’s combination of:

No-fault insurance
Strict medical deadlines
Shortened lawsuit timelines

…catches many people off guard.

The 14-day treatment rule alone causes countless claims to be denied. Add aggressive insurance tactics, and it’s easy to see why legal guidance matters.

When You’re Ready to Talk

At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we help people across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida navigate these rules every day.

Free consultation
No fees unless we recover compensation
Direct access to your attorney

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, don’t wait until deadlines close in.

Contact us today to talk through your options.

We serve Jacksonville, Orange Park, and all of Northeast Florida.
You hurt? We fight.

Sources

Florida Statute § 95.11(4)(a) — Personal injury statute of limitations
Florida Statute § 627.736 — PIP coverage and 14-day rule
Florida DHSMV — Minimum insurance requirements
Florida Bar — PIP benefit breakdown
Florida Statute § 316.027 — Leaving the scene of an accident