Hit and Run Crimes in Orlando
What happens if you hit another vehicle or other property, panic, and leave the scene of the crash? Florida law requires that the driver of any such vehicle involved in a collision causing damage in an apparent amount of at least $500, personal injury, or death, must stop and remain at the crash scene until fulfilling all statutory duties.
The penalties for leaving the scene depend on whether the crash resulted in property damage to attended property or unattended property, serious bodily injury, or death. If the crash only caused property damage to another occupied vehicle or other attended property, the driver has the following statutory duties:
- stop and remain at the scene or as close to the scene as possible;
- notify the person driving any other vehicle involved in the crash or the owner of any damaged property by providing the driver’s name, address, and registration number;
- show the driver’s license if requested by the other driver or property owner;
- provide your driver’s license information, registration, address, and other information to any investigating officer.
If the property damage was unattended at the time of the crash, the driver must locate the property owner to comply with the statutory duties of providing information.
If the property owner cannot be found, the driver must securely attach in a conspicuous place in or on the damaged property a written notice that provides the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle involved in the crash.
Then, the driver who caused damage to unattended property must also notify the nearest local law enforcement, including the Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol.
Attorneys for Hit and Run Cases in Orlando, FL
The Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office each have specialized units that investigate hit and run cases. After a crash, these investigators might determine the license plate number of the vehicle or use other methods to determine the registered owner. The officers might then travel to the home of the registered owner to locate the vehicle or find out who was driving it that day.
Once you retain an attorney, your attorney can talk to the police on your behalf and present your side of the story. Your attorney can help you provide the required information so that your insurance company can repair your vehicle or any other claim.
Don’t wait. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for Orange County, FL, at Sammis Law Firm today.
Call 813-250-0500.
Penalties for Leaving the Scene of a Crash
The following penalties for leaving the scene of a crash depend on the nature of the damage caused:
- for a crash involving property damage of at least $500 to attended or unattended property, the crime is charged as a second degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
- for a crash involving bodily injury to another person, the crime is charged as a third degree felony punishable by up to five (5) years in prison and a $5,000 fine;
- for a crash involving the death of the other person, the crime is charged as a first degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine;
- for a crash involving personal injury or death while the driver is driving under the influence (DUI), the crime is charged as a first degree felony subject to a minimum mandatory prison term of two (2) years. mandatory minimum prison term of 2 years, along with a mandatory driver’s license revocation.
Additional Resources
Report a Traffic Crash in Orlando, FL – Visit the website of the City of Orlando to learn more about how to self-report a traffic crash involving only property damage but not personal injury or death. The article explains why the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles allows drivers in some minor crashes to self-report online or by emailing a form. This self-reporting process is allowed for drivers of a vehicle involved in a crash resulting in damage to a vehicle or other property, which does not require a law enforcement report. More serious crashes require a law enforcement officer to complete the crash report. Use the FLHSMV website to download the official “Driver Self Report of Traffic Crash” form. After completing the form, you can email it to SelfReportCrashes@flhsmv.gov.
Orlando Police Active Calls for Hit and Run – The City of Orlando Police Department maintains a list of active CAD police calls for service being handled by officers of the Orlando Police Department. The call descriptions are based on the information received during dispatch. The information is updated every ten minutes. The list contains an incident number, the date and time, call type, district, and incident location. The call types for hit and run incident might be listed as “hit and run (minor),” or “hit and run (injury).”
This article was last updated on Friday, May 2, 2025.
