Car accident in Miami-Dade? What to do in the first 14 days.
Quick answer: After a crash in Miami-Dade, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Florida law requires drivers to report crashes involving injury, death or apparent damage of at least $2,000 to police. Get medical care within 14 days to use your PIP benefits, and notify your insurer as soon as you can.
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Step by step
- Get safe and check on everyone. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Report the crash when the law requires it. Florida requires drivers to notify police right away when a crash causes injury, death or apparent property damage of at least $2,000. Each driver must give the officer proof of insurance.
- If no officer files a report, a driver involved in a property-damage crash generally has to submit a written report to FLHSMV within 10 days.
- Document everything. Take photos of the vehicles, the scene and any injuries. Write down the other driver’s name, insurer and policy number, and the names of witnesses.
- See a doctor within 14 days. Florida PIP pays medical benefits only if you get initial care within 14 days of the crash.
- Notify your insurer promptly. Your policy can require written notice as soon as practicable. Keep every bill, receipt and letter.
What PIP does, in plain words
Personal Injury Protection is required on every Florida-registered car with four or more wheels, with a minimum of $10,000. It pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost income, no matter who caused the crash, plus a $5,000 death benefit. If a qualified provider finds you did not have an emergency medical condition, medical benefits are limited to $2,500.
Who this page is for
- Drivers who just had a crash in Miami-Dade and want to know their next step.
- Our clients, who can call us for help opening the claim.
- Anyone whose policy carries only the state minimum and who wants to know what it will and won’t pay.
Four questions we will ask you
- Was anyone hurt, and when did you first see a doctor? The 14-day PIP rule makes this date important.
- Was there a police report? We will want the agency name and the report number.
- Which coverages are on your policy? Collision, comprehensive, rental, towing, bodily injury and uninsured motorist coverage each pay for different things.
- Who was driving, and for what purpose? If the car was being used for rideshare or delivery at the time, a personal policy may not respond the way you expect.
What is not covered (honest limits)
- PIP doesn’t fix cars. It is injury coverage. Damage to your own car is covered only if you carry collision, or comprehensive for non-collision losses.
- Property damage liability pays others, not you. It covers damage you cause to someone else’s property.
- PIP excludes massage therapy and acupuncture from medical benefits.
- Rental cars and towing are paid only if those coverages are on your policy.
- Work use such as rideshare or delivery is commonly excluded from personal policies unless you added the right coverage.
Talk to a licensed agent
If you’re our client, call (305) 859-3953 and we’ll help you report the claim and explain the next steps. If you’re not, we’re still glad to explain how your coverage works. Call us, or leave your number and we’ll contact you within an hour during business hours.
We are insurance agents, not attorneys. For questions about fault, lawsuits or deadlines, talk to a Florida attorney.
We speak English, Spanish and Russian. Policy documents are issued in English; we explain them in your language.
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After a car accident in Miami-Dade: FAQ
Do I have to call the police after a minor fender-bender?
Florida requires it when there is injury, death or apparent damage of at least $2,000. If no officer files a report on a property-damage crash, a driver generally has to submit a written report to FLHSMV within 10 days.
How long do I have to see a doctor after a crash?
To use PIP medical benefits, you must receive initial care within 14 days of the crash.
Does PIP cover me if the crash was my fault?
Yes. PIP pays your covered injury benefits no matter who caused the crash, up to your policy limit.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Your PIP still applies to your injuries. Beyond that, uninsured motorist coverage can help with injuries to you and your passengers, but only if it is on your policy.
Should I call my agent or the insurance company first?
Either one, as long as the insurer is notified promptly. Our clients can call us and we will help open the claim.
Related pages
Questions about your coverage?
Call us, or leave your number and we’ll contact you within an hour during business hours.
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This article is general information, not legal advice or policy language. Coverage depends on the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy, and eligibility rules can change. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 3, 2026.
- Florida Statutes s. 316.065: duty to report crashes with injury or at least $2,000 of apparent damage
- Florida Statutes s. 316.066: crash reports, proof of insurance and the driver’s 10-day written report
- Florida Statutes s. 627.736: required PIP benefits (80% medical, 60% lost income, 14-day rule)
- Florida DHSMV: Florida insurance requirements (PIP and PDL)
- Florida Statutes s. 627.727: uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
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