Getting into a car accident in Florida is stressful, but what you do in the minutes, days, and weeks that follow matters as much as the accident itself. Florida's no-fault insurance system changes how claims work, who pays for what, and when you can pursue additional compensation. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what to do after a crash in Florida.
First, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Florida law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $500. While waiting for police, move vehicles out of traffic if it is safe to do so. Exchange the following with all other drivers:
Document everything with photos—damage to all vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get names and contact information from witnesses before they leave.
Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages after an accident—regardless of who caused the crash. Florida law requires drivers to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to preserve your PIP benefits. Waiting longer forfeits your right to use that coverage entirely. PIP covers 80 percent of medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages up to the policy limit, so gaps can remain even after your insurer pays.
If your injuries meet Florida's serious injury threshold—permanent injury, significant scarring, or disfigurement—you may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver. This is where bodily injury liability coverage on the other driver's policy becomes relevant. Florida only recently reintroduced a requirement for drivers to carry bodily injury liability, so coverage gaps still exist on older policies. Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy protects you when the at-fault driver has no coverage or not enough.
Notify your insurance company promptly after any accident, even if you were not at fault. Most policies require timely reporting as a condition of coverage. Your insurer will open a PIP claim for medical expenses and may open a separate property damage claim. Florida's property damage liability system operates outside no-fault, so the at-fault driver's property damage liability pays for repairs to your vehicle. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage fills the gap.
Florida's no-fault rules, strict PIP deadlines, and coverage gaps make post-accident decisions more complicated than in most states. Reviewing your policy before an accident—not after—is the best way to make sure your PIP, bodily injury, and uninsured motorist limits are adequate. A Truscott policy checkup can identify gaps in your current auto coverage and recommend the right limits for your situation. Reach out today so you are prepared before you ever need to file a claim.
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