A traffic citation following a serious crash is different from an ordinary speeding ticket. If the alleged traffic infraction resulted in a crash that caused another person’s death or serious bodily injury, Florida law requires a hearing. If the court finds that the driver committed the infraction, a driver’s license suspension and a substantial civil penalty follow.
Does the ticket immediately suspend my license?
A citation alone does not impose the mandatory suspension described here. Under Florida Statute § 318.19, the driver must appear at a hearing for an infraction involving another person’s death or serious bodily injury. The court must then decide whether the charged infraction was committed.
These cases generally cannot be resolved by simply paying the ticket or electing the usual traffic school option in place of the required hearing. At the hearing, the charged infraction must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. If the court determines that no infraction was committed, it cannot impose the penalties for that infraction. See § 318.14.
How long is the mandatory suspension?
If the court finds that the driver committed the infraction, § 318.14(5) provides:
| Result of the crash | Driver’s license suspension | Civil penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Death of another person | 6 months | $1,000, in addition to other applicable penalties |
| Serious bodily injury to another person | 3 months | $500, in addition to other applicable penalties |
| Death of a vulnerable road user | 1 year | At least $5,000, in addition to other applicable penalties |
| Serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user | 3 months | At least $1,500, in addition to other applicable penalties |
The vulnerable road user provisions also require a department-approved driver improvement course concerning those road users’ rights. Florida’s definition includes pedestrians and certain people using bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, wheelchairs, and other forms of travel. The precise definition appears in § 316.027(1).
What counts as “serious bodily injury”?
The term has a specific legal meaning. Under the definition referenced by § 318.19, it involves a physical condition creating a substantial risk of death, serious disfigurement, or a prolonged loss or impairment of a body part or organ’s function. An injury may be significant without necessarily satisfying that statutory definition. The medical evidence and circumstances matter. See § 316.1933(1)(b).
What should a driver do after receiving this kind of citation?
Read the citation and hearing notice carefully, and do not miss the scheduled appearance. Preserve the crash report, photographs, witness information, and any other evidence relevant to the alleged violation and the crash. The court’s decision about the traffic infraction can have a direct effect on your ability to drive.
Other charges or administrative license actions may arise from the same incident and have different rules. Learn more about Florida traffic tickets. If you received a Sarasota-area traffic citation involving a death or serious bodily injury, contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Haynes, P.A. to discuss what the State must prove and which proceedings apply to your case.
This article provides general information about Florida law as of September 2026. It is not legal advice for any particular case.
