In this guide
Florida hit-and-run penalties, by what the crash caused
| What the crash caused | Offense | Maximum penalty | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage only, to a vehicle or property someone was driving or attending | Second-degree misdemeanor (§ 316.061) | Up to 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500 | The court may order restitution for the damage |
| Damage to a parked car or other unattended property | Second-degree misdemeanor (§ 316.063) | Up to 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500 | You must leave a note or find the owner, and notify police |
| Injury (not serious) | Third-degree felony (§ 316.027(2)(a)) | Up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000 | License revoked for at least 3 years |
| Serious bodily injury | Second-degree felony (§ 316.027(2)(b)) | Up to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 | License revoked for at least 3 years |
| Death | First-degree felony (§ 316.027(2)(c)) | Up to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, with a 4-year mandatory minimum | License revoked for at least 3 years |
Maximum terms and fines come from Florida’s general sentencing statutes (§§ 775.082 and 775.083); the actual sentence depends on the case.
What Florida requires after any crash
- Stop at the scene, or as close as you can, and stay until you’ve done the rest.
- Give your name, address and registration number to anyone injured and to the owner or driver of a damaged vehicle — and show your license if asked.
- Help anyone injured get to a doctor or hospital if treatment is clearly needed or they ask.
- If no one can take your information and no officer is there, report the crash to the nearest police office right away.
Breaking these information-and-aid rules is, by itself, a noncriminal traffic infraction — the misdemeanor and felony charges in the table come from leaving the scene.
If the crash involved a parked car
Florida requires you to stop, then either find the owner and give your name, address and registration number, or securely attach a note with that information in a conspicuous place — and notify the nearest police office without unnecessary delay. Driving off without doing that is a second-degree misdemeanor.
If a driver hit you and left
In Florida, your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays medical benefits first, but only if you get initial care within 14 days of the crash. Florida’s uninsured motorist law doesn’t address unidentified drivers directly, so your policy’s terms decide whether that coverage applies. Our hit-and-run guide walks through who pays, and the claim deadline calculator shows Florida’s filing deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Is leaving the scene of an accident a felony in Florida?
Only if someone was hurt or killed. Leaving after a crash that injures someone is a third-degree felony, a serious bodily injury makes it a second-degree felony, and a death makes it a first-degree felony. If only property was damaged, it’s a second-degree misdemeanor.
What is the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident with no injuries in Florida?
It’s a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. The court may also order a driver who caused or contributed to the crash to pay the owner for the damage.
Do you lose your license for a hit and run in Florida?
If anyone was injured or killed, yes: the license is revoked for at least 3 years, and getting it back requires completing a victim’s impact panel or an approved driver improvement course.
Is there a minimum sentence for a fatal hit and run in Florida?
Yes — a 4-year mandatory minimum prison term. A judge can go below it only after finding that the minimum would be an injustice, and not if the driver was under the influence.
What should I do if I hit a parked car in Florida?
Stop, then either find the owner and give your name, address and registration number, or securely attach a note with that information in a conspicuous place on the car — and notify the police without unnecessary delay. Driving off without doing so is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Reviewed by
Morgan Hale, Editor. Writes about the financial side of injury claims — fees, liens, timelines and state rules — and checks every page against its sources before it’s published. Not a lawyer; “Morgan Hale” is a pen name. Editorial policy · How we calculate
Sources
- Florida Statutes § 316.027 (2025) — Crash involving death or personal injuries (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 316.061 (2025) — Crashes involving damage to vehicle or property (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 316.063 (2025) — Duty upon damaging unattended vehicle or other property (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 316.062 (2025) — Duty to give information and render aid (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 775.082 (2025) — Maximum prison and jail terms by offense degree (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 775.083 (2025) — Maximum fines by offense degree (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 627.736(1) (2025) — PIP: $10,000 limit, 80% of medical expenses; initial care within 14 days (The Florida Senate)
- Florida Statutes § 627.727 (2025) — Motor vehicle uninsured and underinsured vehicle coverage (The Florida Senate)
Not legal or financial advice. InjuryMath is not a law firm and does not sell or broker funding. This page gives general information based on the sources listed; your contracts and your state’s law control. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.