Florida Statute 324.051 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 324
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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F.S. 324.051

324.051 Reports of crashes; suspensions of licenses and registrations.—

(1)(a) Every law enforcement officer who, in the regular course of duty either at the time of and at the scene of the crash or thereafter by interviewing participants or witnesses, investigates a motor vehicle crash which he or she is required to report pursuant to s. 316.066(1) shall forward a written report of the crash to the department within 10 days of completing the investigation. However, when the investigation of a crash will take more than 10 days to complete, a preliminary copy of the crash report shall be forwarded to the department within 10 days after the occurrence of the crash, to be followed by a final report within 10 days after completion of the investigation. The report shall be on a form and contain information consistent with the requirements of s. 316.068.

(b) The department is hereby further authorized to require reports of crashes from individual owners or operators whenever it deems it necessary for the proper administration of this chapter, and these reports shall be made without prejudice except as specified in this subsection. No such report shall be used as evidence in any trial arising out of a crash. However, subject to the applicable rules of evidence, a law enforcement officer at a criminal trial may testify as to any statement made to the officer by the person involved in the accident if that person’s privilege against self-incrimination is not violated.

(2)(a) Thirty days after receipt of notice of any accident described in paragraph (1)(a) involving a motor vehicle within this state, the department shall suspend, after due notice and opportunity to be heard, the license of each operator and all registrations of the owner of the vehicles operated by such operator whether or not involved in such crash and, in the case of a nonresident owner or operator, shall suspend such nonresident’s operating privilege in this state, unless such operator or owner shall, prior to the expiration of such 30 days, be found by the department to be exempt from the operation of this chapter, based upon evidence satisfactory to the department that:

1. The motor vehicle was legally parked at the time of such crash.

2. The motor vehicle was owned by the United States Government, this state, or any political subdivision of this state or any municipality therein.

3. Such operator or owner has secured a duly acknowledged written agreement providing for release from liability by all parties injured as the result of said crash and has complied with one of the provisions of s. 324.031.

4. Such operator or owner has deposited with the department security to conform with s. 324.061 when applicable and has complied with one of the provisions of s. 324.031.

5. One year has elapsed since such owner or operator was suspended pursuant to subsection (3), the owner or operator has complied with one of the provisions of s. 324.031, and no bill of complaint of which the department has notice has been filed in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) This subsection shall not apply:

1. To such operator or owner if such operator or owner had in effect at the time of such crash or traffic conviction an automobile liability policy with respect to all of the registered motor vehicles owned by such operator or owner.

2. To such operator, if not the owner of such motor vehicle, if there was in effect at the time of such crash or traffic conviction an automobile liability policy or bond with respect to his or her operation of motor vehicles not owned by him or her.

3. To such operator or owner if the liability of such operator or owner for damages resulting from such crash is, in the judgment of the department, covered by any other form of liability insurance or bond.

4. To any person who has obtained from the department a certificate of self-insurance, in accordance with s. 324.171, or to any person operating a motor vehicle for such self-insurer.

No such policy or bond shall be effective under this subsection unless it contains limits of not less than those specified in s. 324.021(7).

(3) Any driver license or registration certificate or certificates and registration plates which are suspended as provided for in this section shall remain suspended for a period of 3 years unless reinstated as otherwise provided in this chapter.

History.—s. 1, ch. 29963, 1955; s. 2, ch. 57-147; ss. 1, 2, ch. 65-122; s. 6, ch. 65-190; ss. 13, 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, ch. 71-59; s. 2, ch. 76-266; s. 2, ch. 77-118; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 7, ch. 77-468; s. 1, ch. 78-83; s. 20, ch. 78-95; s. 2, ch. 83-22; s. 10, ch. 85-81; s. 3, ch. 89-271; s. 54, ch. 89-282; s. 28, ch. 90-119; s. 15, ch. 91-255; s. 90, ch. 94-306; s. 946, ch. 95-148; s. 303, ch. 99-248; s. 2, ch. 2006-260; s. 7, ch. 2010-163.

Note.—Former s. 324.04.

F.S. 324.051 on Google Scholar

F.S. 324.051 on Casetext

Amendments to 324.051

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 324.051

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 324.051.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 324.051

Total Results: 20

Classy Cycles, Inc. v. Bay County

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2016-09-28

Citation: 201 So. 3d 779, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 14507

Snippet: suspension. §§ 324.021(7) and (8), 324.031, and 324.051(2), Fla. Stat. .After á motorcycle has been in

Vargas v. Enterprise Leasing Co.

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 2011-04-21

Citation: 60 So. 3d 1037, 36 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 187, 2011 Fla. LEXIS 951, 2011 WL 1496474

Snippet: register a motor vehicle. Sections 324.021(7), 324.051, and 324.071, Florida Statutes (2007), implement

Rosado v. Daimlerchrysler Financial Services Trust

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2009-02-06

Citation: 1 So. 3d 1200, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 967, 2009 WL 277435

Snippet: been financially responsible in the past. See § 324.051, Fla. Stat. (2008). *1208The significance of Florida’s

Vargas v. Enterprise Leasing Co.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2008-10-31

Citation: 993 So. 2d 614, 2008 WL 4756388

Snippet: register a motor vehicle. Sections 324.021(7), 324.051, and 324.071, Florida Statutes (2007), implement

Fischer v. Alessandrini

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2005-07-08

Citation: 907 So. 2d 569, 2005 WL 1590013

Snippet: 730-627.7405, inclusive, unless the provisions of s. 324.051 apply; and, in such case, the applicable proof

Allstate Indem. Co. v. Wise

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2001-05-30

Citation: 818 So. 2d 524, 2001 WL 574907

Snippet: offenses meeting the operative provisions of s. 324.051(2) shall respond for such damages and show proof

United Services Auto. Ass'n v. Phillips

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1999-07-30

Citation: 740 So. 2d 1205, 1999 WL 550790

Snippet: operation" of the chapter by virtue of section 324.051(2)(a)2., Florida Statutes (1995), a subsection

Lite v. State

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 1993-04-15

Citation: 617 So. 2d 1058, 1993 WL 113519

Snippet: related to the use of a motor vehicle. See, e.g., §§ 324.051 and 324.121, Fla. Stat. (1989) (failure of automobile

Grant v. New Hampshire Ins. Co.

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 1993-02-11

Citation: 613 So. 2d 466, 18 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 107, 1993 Fla. LEXIS 169, 1993 WL 32053

Snippet: offenses meeting the operative provisions of s.324.051(2) [to] respond for such damages and show proof

Folmar v. Young

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1991-06-26

Citation: 591 So. 2d 220, 1991 WL 110841

Snippet: subject to the sanctions set forth in section 324.051. Such an argument requires this court once again

Folmar v. Young

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1990-02-06

Citation: 560 So. 2d 798, 1990 WL 8579

Snippet: subject to the sanctions set forth in section 324.051. Such an argument requires this court once again

Ago

Court: Florida Attorney General Reports | Date Filed: 1981-09-09

Snippet: data and records from the court's process. Cf. ss.324.051(1)(b) (providing that reports of accidents are

Ago

Court: Florida Attorney General Reports | Date Filed: 1981-06-09

Snippet: provisions of s. 324.051(2)(a), F.S.? a. Following suspension pursuant to s. 324.051, F.S., and before

Johns v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1976-09-22

Citation: 337 So. 2d 830, 1976 Fla. App. LEXIS 15487

Snippet: presently before us in the instant case. Section 324.051 F.S. 1967, exempted governmental agencies from

Ennis v. Charter

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1974-02-21

Citation: 290 So. 2d 96

Snippet: account of such an accident. Sec. 324.091, and Sec. 324.051(2)(b), Fla. Stat., F.S.A." In upholding the validity

Young v. Williams

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 1971-06-10

Citation: 249 So. 2d 684, 1971 Fla. LEXIS 3633

Snippet: is in no way liable for the accident. (F.S. § 324.051(2) (a), F.S.A.) Our decision in Williams v. Newton

Phoenix Insurance v. McQueen ex rel. McQueen

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1970-10-06

Citation: 240 So. 2d 79, 1970 Fla. App. LEXIS 5526

Snippet: 091(1), F.S.A. . F.S. § 324.011, F.S.A.; F.S. § 324.051, F.S.A.; Williams v. Newton (Fla.1970), 236 So

Williams v. Newton

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 1970-05-20

Citation: 236 So. 2d 98

Snippet: The trial court in declaring Florida Statutes § 324.051, F.S.A. unconstitutional, held: "* * * [W]ithout

Bankers & Shippers Ins. Co. v. Phoenix Assurance Co.

Court: Supreme Court of Florida | Date Filed: 1968-05-22

Citation: 210 So. 2d 715, 1968 Fla. LEXIS 2262

Snippet: account of such an accident. Sec. 324.091, and Sec. 324.051(2) (b), Fla. Stat., F.S.A. The term "motor vehicle

Williams v. Ferrentino

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1967-06-02

Citation: 199 So. 2d 504

Snippet: applied to license suspensions under F.S. Section 324.051, F.S.A., relating to another state of facts entirely