After a Florida car accident, you must exchange your name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license on request — and you should also collect insurance details, vehicle information, and witness contacts. Getting the right information at the scene protects your legal rights, supports an insurance claim, and preserves critical evidence before it disappears. This guide covers every category of information you need, what Florida law requires, what mistakes to avoid, and when to contact an attorney.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida Statute § 316.062 requires drivers to provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license upon request after any crash involving injury, death, or property damage.
  • You should collect far more than the legal minimum — insurance details, photos, witness contacts, and the police report number all strengthen your claim.
  • Florida’s no-fault PIP system requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash to qualify for benefits.
  • Saying “I’m sorry” or agreeing to settle privately can seriously damage your claim.
  • Florida’s statute of limitations for negligence-based personal injury claims is two years from the crash date (for incidents on or after March 24, 2023).
  • Miami-Dade County recorded 59,994 crashes in 2024, resulting in 284 fatalities and 29,356 injuries — making prompt, accurate information exchange even more critical in South Florida.

Quick Answer — Information to Exchange After a Florida Car Accident

Florida law and practical claim strategy both require you to gather specific information at the scene. Here is exactly what to collect.

Your Name, Address, and Driver’s License Information

Florida drivers must provide their full legal name and current address after any crash that results in injury, death, or property damage. Under Florida Statute § 316.062, you must also exhibit your driver’s license or permit upon request — if it is available.

Write down or photograph your own details so you have a record of what you provided.

Vehicle Registration Number

Florida law requires every driver involved in a crash to share the registration number of the vehicle they were driving. This number links the vehicle to its registered owner, which becomes relevant if the driver and the owner are different people.

Insurance Company and Policy Details

Florida crash reports and insurance claims both require insurance information. Collect:

  • Insurance company name
  • Policy number
  • Claims phone number
  • Name of the insured driver on the policy

Even if the other driver says their insurance is current, record every detail. Uninsured drivers account for roughly 20% of Florida motorists — a significant risk on any South Florida road.

Vehicle Information

Document the other vehicle thoroughly:

  • Make, model, and year
  • Color
  • License plate number and state
  • Visible damage (location and severity)
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if accessible

Contact Information for Passengers and Witnesses

Florida crash reports include the names and addresses of drivers, passengers, and witnesses when available. Neutral witnesses — people who have no stake in the outcome — can be decisive when drivers give conflicting accounts of how the crash happened.

What Florida Law Requires You to Provide After a Crash

Florida’s Duty to Give Information and Render Aid

Florida Statute § 316.062 sets a clear legal standard. Any driver involved in a crash resulting in injury, death, or property damage must:

  1. Provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number
  2. Show their driver’s license or permit upon request
  3. Render reasonable assistance to injured people — including arranging medical transport if treatment is clearly necessary or if the injured person requests it

Failing to comply is a noncriminal traffic infraction. However, the statute also notes that drivers are not required to provide information that would violate their right against self-incrimination.

When You Must Contact Law Enforcement in Florida

Florida requires you to contact law enforcement immediately after a crash if:

  • Anyone was injured or killed
  • Property damage appears to reach at least $500

Modern vehicle repairs routinely exceed $500, so most crashes trigger the reporting threshold. When in doubt, call 911. An official police report creates a neutral, time-stamped record that insurance companies and courts treat as reliable evidence.

What Happens If the Other Driver Refuses to Exchange Information

Stay calm. Do not chase or physically confront the other driver. Instead:

  • Call 911 immediately
  • Note the vehicle’s make, model, color, and partial license plate
  • Photograph the vehicle before it leaves, if safe to do so
  • Ask any bystanders if they saw what happened and get their contact information
  • Tell the responding officer exactly what the other driver refused to provide

A hit-and-run is a criminal offense in Florida, and a police report documents the refusal.

Information You Should Collect Beyond the Legal Minimum

Photos of Driver’s License, Registration, and Insurance Card

Use your smartphone to photograph every document the other driver shows you. Write the details down as a backup — photos can be blurry, glare-affected, or accidentally deleted.

Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene

Photograph and video the following before vehicles are moved:

  • Vehicle positions relative to each other and to lane markings
  • All visible damage on every vehicle involved
  • Skid marks, debris, and fluid spills
  • Traffic signals, road signs, and speed limit signs
  • Road surface conditions, potholes, or construction
  • Weather, lighting, and visibility at the time of impact
  • Any surveillance cameras on nearby buildings or traffic poles

These details disappear quickly. Road crews sweep debris. Stores overwrite surveillance footage within days.

Police Officer Name, Badge Number, and Report Number

When a law enforcement officer investigates the crash, ask for:

  • The officer’s full name and badge number
  • The law enforcement agency (Miami-Dade PD, Florida Highway Patrol, etc.)
  • The crash report number

Florida crash reports are public records, and you can request a copy from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

Exact Crash Location

Record the precise location, including:

  • Street names and intersection
  • Mile markers on highways
  • Highway exit numbers
  • Direction of travel for each vehicle
  • Nearby landmarks (gas stations, shopping centers, parking lot names)

In Miami-Dade County, this is especially important. High-crash corridors like the Dolphin Expressway (SR-836), I-95, and US-1 South Dixie Highway involve complex multi-lane configurations where location details directly affect fault analysis.

Rideshare, Delivery, or Commercial Vehicle Details

If the other vehicle belongs to a rideshare, delivery, or commercial fleet, collect additional information:

  • Company name (Uber, Lyft, Amazon, FedEx, etc.)
  • Screenshot of any active trip or delivery app screen
  • DOT number and vehicle markings
  • Employer name and contact information
  • Whether the vehicle was actively on a company trip

Commercial crashes can involve multiple liable parties — the driver, the employer, and the cargo loader — and carry separate commercial insurance policies with higher coverage limits.

What You Should Not Say or Do When Exchanging Information

Do Not Admit Fault

Avoid phrases like “I’m sorry,” “I didn’t see you,” or any statement that speculates about cause. Insurers and opposing attorneys can use these words against you, even if you made them casually or out of politeness.

Fault in Florida is a legal and factual determination — not something to settle at the scene.

Do Not Discuss Injuries in Detail With the Other Driver

At the scene, say only that you are seeking medical evaluation. Symptoms of whiplash, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries often appear hours or days after a crash. Telling the other driver “I feel fine” can undermine your injury claim later.

Do Not Agree to Handle the Crash Privately

Private agreements — trading cash or contact information without involving police or insurers — frequently fall apart. Hidden vehicle damage, delayed injury symptoms, or a driver who later denies the agreement can all leave you without recourse.

Do Not Post About the Accident on Social Media

Insurance adjusters actively monitor public social media profiles, photos, and location tags after reported crashes. A single post — even one that seems harmless — can be used to challenge your account of the accident or dispute the severity of your injuries.

Should You Call the Police After a Florida Car Accident?

Call Police If Anyone Is Hurt

If any person — driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist — complains of pain, shows visible injury, or is unconscious, call 911 immediately. Do not wait to see if symptoms worsen. Emergency response and a police report both protect you legally.

Call Police If Damage Appears to Be $500 or More

Florida’s $500 property damage threshold for mandatory reporting is low. Replacing a bumper, headlight assembly, or fender on most modern vehicles easily exceeds that amount. If you are uncertain, err on the side of calling.

Call Police If the Other Driver Is Uninsured, Aggressive, or Leaves the Scene

Always call police if:

  • The other driver has no insurance or refuses to provide it
  • You suspect the other driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • The other driver becomes aggressive or threatening
  • The other driver flees the scene
  • Fault is disputed
  • You feel unsafe at the scene for any reason

A police report documenting these circumstances significantly strengthens a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist claim.

What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance Information?

Still Collect Their Required Driver and Vehicle Information

Even without insurance, the other driver is still legally required to provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license. Collect everything they will share and document what they refuse.

Document the Lack of Insurance

Write down what the driver tells you about their insurance situation. Photograph their license plate. Tell the responding officer clearly that the driver did not provide insurance information. The officer will note this in the crash report.

Speak With a Miami Car Accident Attorney About UM/UIM or Other Coverage

When the other driver has no insurance, your own policy may provide a path to compensation through Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. Florida does not require drivers to carry UM/UIM, but those who do have it can make a claim through their own insurer.

The personal injury attorneys in Miami at Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes can review your insurance policy, identify all available coverage, and advise you on how to proceed when the at-fault driver cannot pay.

What If You Were Injured in the Accident?

Get Medical Care as Soon as Possible

Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system. All Florida drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages — regardless of who caused the crash.

The critical rule: you must receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash to qualify for PIP benefits. Missing this deadline means losing access to those benefits entirely.

Even if you feel minor discomfort, see a doctor, urgent care provider, or emergency room within that window.

Keep Records of Medical Treatment and Symptoms

Build a complete paper trail from day one:

  • Emergency room records and discharge instructions
  • Urgent care or primary care visit notes
  • Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
  • Prescription receipts
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation records
  • A personal pain and symptom journal with daily entries
  • Pay stubs or employer letters documenting missed work

These records directly determine the value of your injury claim.

Do Not Give a Recorded Statement Before Legal Advice

Insurance adjusters often call accident victims within 24 to 48 hours of a crash and request a recorded statement. These calls are not routine check-ins — they are structured conversations designed to gather information that can reduce or deny your claim.

You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Speak with an attorney first.

How Exchanged Information Helps Your Florida Car Accident Claim

It Helps Identify the At-Fault Driver

Driver and vehicle information lets your attorney investigate who was legally responsible. This includes the driver’s personal liability, the vehicle owner’s liability for allowing an unfit driver to use their vehicle (negligent entrustment), and employer liability if the driver was working at the time of the crash.

It Helps Locate Insurance Coverage

A thorough information exchange helps your attorney identify every available insurance policy:

Coverage Type What It Pays For
PIP (no-fault) Your medical bills and lost wages up to $10,000
Bodily Injury Liability Other driver’s liability for your injuries
Property Damage Liability Repairs to your vehicle
UM/UIM When at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured
Commercial Policy Covers commercial vehicle operators
Umbrella Policy Excess coverage above standard limits

It Helps Preserve Evidence Before It Disappears

Evidence has a short shelf life. Witnesses forget details within days. Surveillance footage gets overwritten within 72 hours in many cases. Vehicle damage gets repaired. Road conditions change.

A complete information exchange gives your attorney the foundation to act quickly — sending preservation letters, requesting footage, and locking down witness statements before that evidence is gone.

Common Mistakes People Make After a Miami Car Accident

Miami-Dade County recorded 59,994 crashes in 2024, resulting in 284 fatalities and 29,356 injuries, according to the FLHSMV Crash Dashboard. Despite that volume, many accident victims still make avoidable mistakes that harm their claims.

Leaving Without Enough Information

A phone number alone is not enough. If the other driver’s phone is disconnected or they stop responding, you have no way to identify them or their insurer. Always collect a full set of information before leaving the scene.

Forgetting to Get Witness Information

Independent witnesses are among the most persuasive evidence in disputed-fault cases. They have no relationship to either driver, making their accounts credible to insurers, mediators, and juries. Ask anyone who stopped or who saw the crash for their name and phone number.

Assuming Minor Pain Will Go Away

Whiplash, herniated discs, soft tissue injuries, and mild concussions frequently produce no dramatic symptoms at the scene. Pain and neurological symptoms can develop over 24 to 72 hours. A crash victim who declines treatment at the scene and then develops serious symptoms faces an uphill battle proving those injuries are crash-related.

Waiting Too Long to Contact an Attorney

Florida’s two-year statute of limitations for negligence claims (applicable to crashes on or after March 24, 2023) sounds like a long time. But evidence degrades much faster. Surveillance footage disappears within days. Witnesses move and become unreachable. Vehicles are repaired or scrapped. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more leverage your case retains.

Why Call Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes After a Florida Car Accident?

Miami Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Accident Victims Across South Florida

Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes is a Miami-based personal injury law firm with a proven record of recovering millions for accident victims across South Florida. The firm’s shareholders — Carlos Jimenez, Gabriel D. Mazzitelli, and Benjamin Mordes — lead a team of experienced litigators recognized by Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

The firm handles car accident and personal injury claims across Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Doral, Kendall, Homestead, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

Help Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters are trained to pay as little as possible. Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes handles all communication with insurers on your behalf — responding to lowball offers, documenting delays, challenging unfair denials, and preparing for trial if a fair settlement is not reached.

The firm’s track record includes a $1.7M premises liability trial verdict, a $1.65M medical malpractice settlement, and a $1.1M nursing home negligence verdict, reflecting its willingness to take cases to trial rather than accept inadequate offers.

Free Injury Case Consultation

Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes offers a free consultation for eligible personal injury cases and operates on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation for you. There are no upfront fees and no hourly billing.

Florida Car Accident Information Exchange Checklist

Use this checklist immediately after any crash.

Driver Information Checklist

  • Full legal name
  • Current home address
  • Phone number
  • Driver’s license number
  • License-issuing state

Vehicle Information Checklist

  • License plate number and state
  • Vehicle registration number
  • VIN (if visible through windshield)
  • Make, model, and year
  • Color

Insurance Information Checklist

  • Insurance company name
  • Policy number
  • Claims phone number
  • Name of policyholder

Evidence Checklist

  • Photos of all vehicles and visible damage
  • Photos of the full accident scene
  • Video of scene and road conditions
  • Names and phone numbers of witnesses
  • Police report number and officer’s name
  • Medical records from initial treatment
  • Repair estimates for property damage

FAQs About Exchanging Information After a Florida Car Accident

What information am I legally required to exchange after a car accident in Florida?

Under Florida Statute § 316.062, you must provide your name, home address, and vehicle registration number. You must also show your driver’s license or permit upon request, if it is available, and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured.

What if the other driver refuses to give me their insurance information?

Document everything they do provide. Photograph their license plate. Call 911 and tell the responding officer what the driver refused to share. The officer will note the refusal in the official crash report, which supports your claim.

Do I have to call the police after a minor car accident in Florida?

Florida law requires you to contact law enforcement if the crash causes injury, death, or property damage of at least $500. Because modern vehicle repairs routinely exceed $500, most crashes meet this threshold. When uncertain, call 911.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations for negligence-based personal injury claims is two years from the crash date, for accidents on or after March 24, 2023. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation.

What is Florida’s 14-day rule for car accident victims?

Florida’s PIP no-fault system requires you to receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of the crash to qualify for up to $10,000 in medical and lost wage benefits. If you miss this window, you lose access to those PIP benefits.

Can I still recover compensation if I did not get the other driver’s insurance information?

Possibly. Your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, PIP benefits, or other policies may apply. A Florida car accident attorney can review your coverage and identify all available compensation sources.

Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company after a Florida car accident?

No — not before speaking with an attorney. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and doing so can produce information that is used to reduce or deny your claim.

What should I do if the other driver leaves the scene after a Florida car accident?

Call 911 immediately. Document the fleeing vehicle’s make, model, color, and any portion of the license plate you can observe. Photograph the scene and ask any witnesses for their contact information. A hit-and-run is a criminal offense in Florida.

How many drivers in Florida are uninsured?

Roughly 20% of Florida drivers operate without insurance. This makes Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage a critical protection for any Florida driver involved in a crash with another vehicle.

How does exchanged information help my personal injury claim?

Complete information allows your attorney to identify the at-fault driver, locate all applicable insurance policies, preserve time-sensitive evidence, and build a documented chain of liability — all of which directly affect the value and outcome of your claim.

Speak With a Miami Car Accident Lawyer Today

The moments after a car accident are disorienting. You may be in pain, managing a damaged vehicle, and uncertain about your next steps. What you do in those moments — and in the days that follow — shapes the strength of your legal claim.

We at Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes are here to make this process clear and manageable. Our Miami personal injury attorneys handle car accident cases across South Florida, from Miami and Coral Gables to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. We investigate your crash, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve — all on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Your consultation with our team is completely free. If you or a loved one was hurt in a Florida car accident, do not wait for evidence to disappear or deadlines to pass.

Call Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes at (305) 548-8750 or schedule your free case evaluation online today. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can protect your rights.