Deadly I-75 Hit-and-Run in Manatee County: 5 Critical Rights Florida Victims Must Know Now

Hit by a driver who fled on I-75 in Manatee County? Learn your rights after a hit-and-run crash in Florida.

A truck driver left for work before sunrise on a Monday morning and never came home. A vehicle weaving through southbound I-75 traffic near State Road 64 in Manatee County clipped another car, sending it into the path of a fully loaded semi. The semi overturned across all three southbound lanes. The driver died at the scene. He left behind four children.

The person who caused it stopped for a moment. Then fled.

If you lost someone in a crash like this, or you were hurt and the driver ran, you’re probably asking the same question every hit-and-run victim asks: “What can I actually do if they ran?” The answer, under Florida law, is more than you think. This article walks you through exactly what your rights are after an I-75 hit-and-run crash in Manatee County or anywhere in Florida, and what steps to take right now.

Quick Summary

• A fatal hit-and-run on I-75 near State Road 64 in Manatee County killed a truck driver and father of four after the at-fault driver fled the scene.
• Florida law makes leaving a deadly crash scene a first-degree felony with up to 30 years in prison under Florida Statute 316.027.
• Even if the driver who fled is never found, you can still recover through your own uninsured motorist policy under Florida Statute 627.727.
• Florida recorded 97,902 hit-and-run crashes in 2024, and nearly 25% of all crashes involve a driver who flees. You are not alone in this.
• The Reyes Firm fights for hit-and-run victims across Tampa, Manatee County, and communities throughout Hillsborough County and South Florida. Had a bad day? Call 833-4 BAD DAY.

What Happened on I-75 in Manatee County, and Why Does It Matter for Your Case?

A vehicle was weaving aggressively through southbound I-75 traffic near State Road 64 in Manatee County when it struck another car. That impact forced the second vehicle into the path of a fully loaded semi-tractor-trailer. The semi overturned across all three southbound lanes, killing the truck driver at the scene. The driver who caused the chain reaction stopped briefly, then fled south on I-75.

Florida Highway Patrol identified the at-fault driver after investigators tracked down the vehicle. Charges include vehicular homicide and leaving a crash scene involving death. The case is still under investigation.

This crash matters for victims across Florida because it captures every element that makes hit-and-run cases so difficult: a high-speed corridor, a driver fleeing before evidence is collected, and a family left without answers. The I-75 corridor between Tampa and the South Shore communities carries some of the heaviest traffic in the state. When something goes wrong at speed on that stretch of road, the results are catastrophic.

⚠️ Deadline Warning: Florida’s statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of the crash under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), as amended in 2023. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue. Do not wait to find out your options.

Can I Still Sue If the Hit-and-Run Driver Fled or Was Not Identified?

Yes. Florida law gives you recovery options even if the driver is never found. You have two main paths: a civil claim against the at-fault driver once identified, and a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage under Florida Statute 627.727.

Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage exists for exactly this situation. Florida law treats a hit-and-run driver the same as an uninsured driver. Your own policy can step in and pay for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and in a wrongful death case, the full damages your family has suffered.

As Attorney Reyes explains in the video above, cameras don’t always capture the fleeing driver. Ring cameras, phone recordings, and witness accounts all become critical. But even without the driver’s identity, your UM coverage can still pay. The insurance company needs to confirm that the hit-and-run happened and that you were injured. The Reyes Firm helps clients in Tampa, Manatee County, and communities across Hillsborough County build and present exactly that case.

📊 Did You Know? Florida recorded 97,902 hit-and-run crashes in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). That is nearly one hit-and-run every 5 minutes. More than 1 in 4 Florida crashes in 2024 involved a driver who fled the scene. Source: FLHSMV.

What Are the Criminal Charges a Hit-and-Run Driver Faces in Florida?

Leaving a crash scene that results in death is a first-degree felony in Florida, carrying up to 30 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 4 years. Florida Statute 316.027(2)(c), known as the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, imposes these penalties because fleeing deprives the victim of any chance at immediate help. The charge requires proof that the driver knew a crash occurred and knew or should have known someone was injured or killed.

Criminal charges often include both vehicular homicide under Florida Statute 782.071 and leaving a crash scene involving death under Section 316.027. That combination represents the most serious criminal exposure Florida traffic law carries. A conviction also triggers a mandatory license revocation of at least 3 years.

Here’s what matters for your civil case. A criminal conviction is not required for you to win a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. The two cases run separately. Your family can pursue compensation in civil court while the state prosecutes the driver criminally. You don’t have to wait for the criminal case to finish.

🛡️ Your Rights Under Florida Law: Under Florida Statute § 627.727, you may have the right to make a claim under your own uninsured motorist policy when a hit-and-run driver cannot be identified or located. Your insurer should not deny this type of claim simply because the at-fault driver fled. You also have the right to speak with an attorney before giving any statement to any insurance company, including your own. The Reyes Firm offers free consultations. Call 833-4 BAD DAY.

What Evidence Do I Need to Win a Hit-and-Run Claim in Tampa or Manatee County?

You need enough evidence to show that a hit-and-run occurred, that you were injured, and that your injuries connect directly to the crash. Acting quickly makes an enormous difference. Evidence disappears fast on Florida highways, especially on a major corridor like I-75 near Bradenton and the South Shore communities.

Here’s what your attorney should be pulling together immediately:

• The Florida Highway Patrol crash report, which documents the scene, driver information, and preliminary fault findings
• Traffic camera and FDOT corridor footage from I-75 near SR-64, which carries a limited retention window
• Witness statements from other drivers who saw the at-fault vehicle before the crash
• Ring camera, dashcam, and nearby business surveillance footage
• All medical records from emergency treatment, hospitalizations, and follow-up care
• Your complete auto insurance policy, so your attorney can identify all applicable UM coverage
• Any communications from any insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement without your attorney present.

Physical evidence tied to the vehicle is often the key to identifying a hit-and-run driver. Your attorney’s job is to find those threads quickly, before they go cold.

How Much Is a Florida Hit-and-Run Crash Case Worth?

The value of a hit-and-run injury or wrongful death case depends on the severity of the injuries, the available insurance coverage, and how well the case is built. There is no average number that applies to every case.

In a wrongful death claim, Florida Statute 768.21 allows recovery for the lost earnings the deceased would have provided over their lifetime, medical and funeral expenses, and the loss of companionship and guidance that surviving children experience for the rest of their lives. These losses are real, documented, and recoverable.

The critical variable in hit-and-run cases is coverage. Florida does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance. That’s why UM coverage matters so much. If you carry it, it becomes your primary tool for recovery when the at-fault driver fled or carried no coverage. If you didn’t carry UM coverage, your options are narrower but not necessarily zero. A conversation with an attorney is the only way to know what applies to your specific situation.

How The Reyes Firm Handles Your Hit-and-Run Crash Case

When a driver flees, and a family is left with injuries, medical bills, and no answers, the insurance companies don’t pause. They start building their position immediately. The Reyes Firm starts building yours.

When we take on a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist case, we typically:

• Act immediately on evidence preservation. We send letters to FDOT, FHP, and any relevant third parties to preserve traffic camera footage, dispatch records, and crash scene documentation before retention windows expire.
• Identify every available coverage source. We pull the full insurance picture: your UM policy, any umbrella coverage, household resident policies, and any commercial coverage that may apply if a business vehicle was involved.
• Build your identity or liability case. We track down witnesses, canvass for Ring cameras and business surveillance footage, and work with investigators to identify the driver if law enforcement has not already done so.
• Handle all communication with your insurer. You do not give recorded statements. We handle every conversation with the insurance company, so nothing is used against you.
• Document your full damages. Medical costs, future care needs, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and, in wrongful death cases, the full economic and personal losses for every member of your family.
• Prepare the case to go the distance. We negotiate hard, and we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that preparation is what gets results at the table.

No lawyer can promise you a specific outcome. What we can promise is that we take your case seriously and treat it as the major fight it is. When a driver fled and left your family in chaos, you deserve someone who moves just as fast to get in your corner.

The Reyes Firm 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614 Phone: 833-4 BAD DAY thereyesfirm.com

Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Hit-and-Run Crash Claims

What do I do immediately after a hit-and-run crash on I-75 or another Florida highway?

Call 911 and stay at the scene. Get medical attention even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries and symptoms, which often appear hours or days later. Take photos of the scene, your vehicle damage, and any skid marks. Try to note the direction the fleeing vehicle went and get names and contact info from any witnesses. Then call an attorney before you speak to any insurance company, including your own.

Can I collect money if the hit-and-run driver is never caught?

Yes. Under Florida Statute 627.727, your uninsured motorist coverage treats a hit-and-run driver the same as an uninsured driver. If you can show the crash happened and you were injured, you can file a UM claim against your own policy. The driver does not need to be identified for you to recover. This is one of the most important reasons to carry UM coverage in Florida.

My family member was killed in a hit-and-run crash. Can we sue for wrongful death?

Yes. Florida Statute 768.21 allows surviving family members to recover for medical and funeral expenses, lost earnings the deceased would have provided, and the loss of companionship, guidance, and support. These claims are separate from the criminal case against the driver. You can pursue civil compensation while the state prosecutes criminal charges.

How long do I have to file a claim after a hit-and-run crash in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of the crash under Florida Statute 95.11(3)(a), as amended in 2023. Missing this deadline means losing your right to sue, with very limited exceptions. Start the process as early as possible because evidence disappears and witnesses become harder to locate over time.

What if I don’t have uninsured motorist coverage? Are there other options?

You may still have options. If the driver is later identified and has insurance, you can pursue that liability policy directly. If a defective road design or a third party contributed to the crash, additional claims may be available. Talk to an attorney before assuming you have no path to recovery. The Reyes Firm offers free consultations and can tell you exactly what applies to your situation.

The hit-and-run crash involved a semi-truck. Does that change my claim?

Yes, significantly. Commercial truck crashes involve federal regulations, company liability, and mandatory higher insurance minimums that don’t apply to passenger vehicles. The trucking company, fleet operator, and any party that controlled the truck’s dispatch or maintenance may all carry liability. These cases require a different investigation approach and typically involve much larger insurance policies.

My insurer is offering me a quick settlement after the hit-and-run. Should I take it?

Don’t sign anything until you speak with an attorney. Quick settlements from insurance companies are almost always lower than what you’re entitled to. Once you sign a release, you give up the right to pursue additional compensation even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially apparent. A free consultation with The Reyes Firm costs you nothing and protects your right to full recovery.

About the Author

Edward Reyes, Esq.

Edward Reyes, Esq., is a Florida Bar-admitted personal injury attorney and founder of The Reyes Firm in Tampa, FL. He focuses on serious injury and wrongful death cases involving hit-and-run crashes, uninsured motorist claims, and commercial vehicle accidents across Tampa and the South Shore communities, including Manatee County and Hillsborough County. Had a bad day? Edward Reyes is ready to fight for you.

Read more about Edward Reyes.

How Can The Reyes Firm Help You?

If you’ve had a bad day — a car accident, a slip and fall, a trucking crash, or any injury that wasn’t your fault — The Reyes Firm is in your corner. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we win your case.

You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance companies alone. Let us fight for you.

📍 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614 📞 833-4 BAD DAY 🌐 Schedule your free consultation today

Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm. We’ll handle the rest.

The information in this article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with The Reyes Firm or any of its attorneys. Every case is different, and the outcome of any legal matter depends on the specific facts and applicable law. Florida Bar rules prohibit attorneys from making specific promises about results. If you have been involved in a hit-and-run crash or any personal injury incident, consult a licensed Florida attorney for advice specific to your situation. The Reyes Firm is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.