What to Do After a Crash on I-10 in Jacksonville (and how to avoid the next one)

“The goal isn’t to win the shoulder. The goal is to survive the scene.”
If you’ve ever white-knuckled it through the I-10/I-95 knot or the tight weave near I-295, you know: things happen fast. A stopped car becomes a magnet. National research shows a vehicle on the shoulder is present near roughly a third of freeway crashes, secondary collisions are real, and they’re dangerous.

This guide is your step-by-step field manual, built for I-10 in Jax, covering what to do right now, what to do next, and how to be ready before you ever turn the key. It’s punchy, practical, and designed to be worth linking to.

Checkout the top accident prone intersections around Jacksonville.

First 60 Seconds: Make the Scene Safe

If the car moves, move it

• If your car is drivable, steer to the shoulder, an emergency pull-off, or the nearest exit. Put it well out of the live lane.
  
• Florida’s “quick clearance” rules expect you to avoid blocking traffic; moving your vehicle after a minor crash doesn’t admit fault.

Lights, hazards, triangles

• Flashers on.
  
• If you have triangles/flares, place them behind your vehicle (think: 100–200 feet staggered).
  
• Stay behind the guardrail if possible. A shoulder is not a safe zone. Secondary crashes spike around stopped vehicles.

Call for help the smart way

• 911 for injuries, disabled lanes, or hazards.
  
• *FHP (*347) from your mobile to reach Florida Highway Patrol, and to request FDOT Road Rangers, the free service patrol that can cone off your scene, change a tire, or give a jump.

Ask others to move over

Florida’s expanded Move Over law now protects any disabled vehicle with hazards, cones, or flares. Drivers must move over a lane (if safe) or slow 20 mph below the posted limit (or to 5 mph if the limit is 20 or under). That includes you when passing other stopped vehicles.

Who’s Coming: FHP, JSO & Road Rangers

• On the interstate, FHP typically takes the lead; JSO may assist within city limits.
  
• Road Rangers can be dispatched via *FHP; they’re free and fast at traffic control and minor roadside help.

Pro tip: Don’t count on pulling traffic-camera footage later. North Florida’s RTMC notes live feeds aren’t recorded. If you need evidence, collect it now.

Check for Injuries (Then Document Everything)

Health first

• Check yourself and passengers. Adrenaline lies; neck, head, and back injuries often surface later.
  
• If anyone is hurt or even complains of pain, call 911 and stay put.
  

Then, capture the scene like an investigator

Take wide and close shots of:

• Vehicle positions, impact points, debris, skid marks.
  
• Dash/cluster (speed, warnings), airbags, child seats.
  
• Weather, lighting, construction signs, lane closures, and mile markers/overhead signs (location!).
  
• The other driver’s plate, VIN (dash/door jamb), license, and insurance card.
  
• Any witnesses and their contact details.
  

Exchange Info the Florida-Correct Way

Florida law requires drivers to provide name, address, registration, and (upon request) license and to render aid when necessary. If there’s injury, death, or certain damage, you must notify law enforcement immediately.

What to swap:

• Full legal name, phone, address, email
  
• Driver’s license number
  
• Vehicle owner (if different), plate & VIN
  
• Insurance company & policy number
  
• Location (I-10 direction, nearest exit/mile marker)
  

What not to do: Don’t argue. Don’t apologize or speculate about fault. Let the facts talk.

Do I Have to Call the Police? (Florida’s Thresholds)

You must immediately contact law enforcement if there’s injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500+. When in doubt, call. If the crash is truly minor and doesn’t meet those thresholds, you can file a Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self-Report) instead.

How reports work:

• Officers file the official long-form report in qualifying cases.
  
• Reports usually post within 10 days to the FLHSMV Crash Portal. Fee: $10 per report + $2 online convenience fee.

Towing & Clearance: Avoid the Gotchas

• If a tow is necessary, ask dispatch for the official rotation. Avoid unsolicited “chasers.”
  
• Photograph your car’s interior and cargo before hookup. Remove valuables.
  
• Confirm destination yard, hours, and release process (you’ll need ID and, often, proof of ownership).
  
• Keep every receipt (tow, storage, rideshare). Insurers need them for reimbursement.
  

Medical Care: The 14-Day Florida PIP Rule

Florida is a no-fault state. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) can cover 80% of reasonable medical expenses (up to policy limits) regardless of fault, but only if you get initial care within 14 days. Qualifying providers include MD/DO, dentist, chiropractic physician, certain APRNs, or hospital/EMS. Don’t wait.

Why it matters: Miss the 14-day window and you can lose PIP medical benefits. (You can still pursue a fault-based claim if your injuries meet legal thresholds, but don’t risk your built-in coverage.)

Insurance Calls: Fast, Factual, and Minimal

• Notify your insurer as soon as practicable. Policies require prompt notice, and the statute lets carriers require it.
• Stick to facts: time, location, vehicles, injuries, witnesses, police case number.
  
• Don’t give recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer without advice.
  

Legal Basics (in plain english)

Deadlines

• Florida cut the negligence lawsuit deadline to 2 years for accidents occurring after March 24, 2023. Wait too long and your claim can be barred.

Fault

• Florida uses modified comparative negligence: if you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover damages. If you’re 50% or less, your award is reduced by your share. Translation: evidence matters.

None of this is legal advice, just the guardrails. If injuries are significant, talk to a Florida attorney.

Evidence You’ll Wish You Had (and How to Get It)

• Dashcam files (back them up immediately).
  
• Vehicle data (EDR/“black box”) your auto shop or an expert can help preserve it.
  
• Public records: crash report, 911 audio, officer photos (request through the responding agency).
  
• Traffic cameras: North Florida RTMC does not record feeds; so don’t bank on it.

Special Situations on I-10

Multi-vehicle pile-ups or work zones

• Stay belted inside with hazards on unless there’s smoke/fire or you’re in an active lane. If you exit, move behind the barrier and upstream of traffic. Secondary crashes hit near the first one.

Commercial trucks

• Exchange info with the driver and carrier (note USDOT/MC numbers on the door).
  
• Photograph placards if hazmat is involved; keep clear and let responders handle it.
  

Construction changes

• Expect shifting lanes and nighttime closures on I-10 projects between I-295 and I-95, check FDOT’s District Two updates before you go.

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After the Dust Settles: Paperwork & Next Steps

• Get your crash report (usually within 10 days) via the FLHSMV Crash Portal: $10 + $2 online fee. Save the PDF.
• Track everything: medical visits, prescriptions, time off work, rental receipts, tow/storage bills, repair estimates.
  
• Follow care plans and keep all appointment summaries. Gaps in treatment look like gaps in injury.
  

Prevent the Next One: Your I-10 “Future-Proof” Kit

Gear to keep in the car

• Reflective triangles + LED flare
  
• High-viz vest + gloves
  
• Compact first-aid kit
  
• Phone mount + battery pack
  
• Dashcam with large SD card
  
• Printed insurance/registration and medical info card (consider Florida’s optional Yellow Dot medical info program where available)

Driving habits that pay off on I-10

• Leave 7–10 seconds behind semis and during rain.
  
• Commit to signals early near I-95/I-295 merges; indecision causes sideswipes.
  
• Scan two exits ahead; if you miss yours, don’t dive; take the next.
  

Know your helpers

• *FHP (*347) – FHP and Road Rangers roadside assistance.
• FL511 – Live incidents, detours, and travel times before you roll.
• FDOT District Two (Jax) – Construction and lane-closure updates.

One-Page Crash Checklist (copy/paste to your notes)

• Get safe: move off-lane; hazards; triangles; stay behind the barrier
  
• Call 911 or *FHP; request Road Rangers if you’re stranded
  
• Check for injuries; don’t move hurt people unless there’s danger
  
• Photograph everything (cars, lanes, signs, plates, VINs, injuries)
  
• Exchange info (driver/owner/insurer) the Florida-correct way
  
• Decide tow vs. drive; use official rotation; document inventory
  
• Police report or self-report if truly minor and legal thresholds aren’t met
• Seek medical care within 14 days (PIP) even if you “feel fine”
• Notify your insurer promptly; keep statements factual
• Pull your crash report (10 days typical; $10 + $2 online)

Sources & Jacksonville-Specific Links (for easy reference)

• Move Over (expanded to disabled vehicles; speed rules) – FLHSMV.
• Crash reporting thresholds & self-report – FLHSMV + Fla. Stat. 316.065.
• Duty to exchange info/render aid – Fla. Stat. 316.062.
• Crash report access & fees – FLHSMV Crash Portal.
• PIP 14-day medical rule – Fla. Stat. 627.736(1)(a).
• Negligence deadline = 2 years – HB 837 & Fla. Stat. 95.11.
• Modified comparative negligence (50% bar) – Fla. Stat. 768.81(6).
• *Road Rangers & FHP – FDOT.
• FL511 (live traffic) – FDOT.
• RTMC camera feeds aren’t recorded – North Florida RTMC.
• FDOT District Two I-10 projects – NFLRoads (District Two).

You can’t control every driver on I-10. But you can control what happens next. Move it. Mark it. Document it. Get care. And give yourself tools that make the worst-case manageable. That’s how you turn a bad day into a contained one; and that’s a win.