Orlando roads have seen a serious rise in hit-and-run collisions and impaired driving crashes — and victims are often left hurt, confused, and unsure of their rights. A hit and run accident lawyer can help you identify your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve, even when the driver who struck you has fled the scene.
Florida recorded 85,459 hit-and-run crashes in 2025, resulting in at least 159 deaths and more than 18,000 injuries. Hit-and-run incidents account for roughly 25% of all car accidents in the state. Orlando has seen its share of these tragedies, with pedestrians killed on busy corridors and drivers vanishing into traffic — leaving victims and families with no answers and mounting medical bills.
When Impaired Drivers Flee the Scene
Drunk and drug-impaired driving is one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Florida, and the problem intensifies around major events. On Super Bowl Sunday, DUI-related crashes spike sharply — and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of all fatal crashes that day involve alcohol-impaired drivers. In a typical year, impaired driving causes more than 5,200 crashes in Florida, over 3,000 serious injuries, and hundreds of deaths.
Many impaired drivers flee precisely because they know they are intoxicated. Under Florida law, a drunk driver who stays at the scene of a fatal crash faces a minimum of four years in prison for DUI manslaughter. A driver who flees and avoids a blood-alcohol test may try to use that delay as a defense — which is why acting fast with an experienced hit and run accident lawyer makes all the difference.
Florida Penalties for Leaving the Scene
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Florida, with penalties that increase based on the harm caused:
- Property damage only: Second-degree misdemeanor — up to 60 days in jail, $500 fine, license suspension
- Injuries involved: Third-degree felony — up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine, 3-year license revocation
- Serious injuries: Second-degree felony — up to 15 years in prison, $10,000 fine
- Death: First-degree felony — 4 to 30 years in prison, $10,000 fine, permanent license revocation
Even if the driver is never found, victims still have legal paths forward. Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays regardless of fault. Uninsured motorist coverage can apply when the at-fault driver is unknown. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, victims may also qualify for up to $50,000 through the Florida Crime Victim Compensation Fund.
How a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Fights for You
The window for collecting evidence after a hit-and-run is short. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses move on, and physical evidence disappears. A hit and run accident lawyer acts quickly to preserve that evidence, coordinate with law enforcement, and build your claim — whether or not the driver is ever identified.
Compensation in these cases can cover medical bills, lost work, pain and suffering, and damage to property. Speed and seat belt use both affect injury severity, and your attorney will account for all relevant factors in calculating the full value of your losses. Call an Orlando hit and run accident lawyer.
At Martinez Manglardi, our Orlando car accident attorneys have helped hit-and-run victims across Central Florida fight for the compensation they deserve. We’ll take care of your legal case so you can focus on getting your life back. Our team is ready to help from office locations across Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport. Do not wait — contact our team today for a free case review, as Florida’s statute of limitations can cost you your claim if you delay too long.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport. Find a location near you.
