How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?

For car accidents that happened on or after March 24, 2023, Florida generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a negligence lawsuit. Accidents before that date usually fall under the old four-year deadline. A lawyer should confirm your exact deadline from the accident report and medical records.

Generally, no. Claims that arose before March 24, 2023, typically follow the previous four-year statute of limitations. Many of those older deadlines are now expiring or have already passed, so anyone with an older injury claim should have the dates reviewed immediately.

If you file after the deadline, the defense will ask the court to dismiss the case, and the court will almost always agree. Once the claim is barred, the insurance company has no legal reason to pay, even if your injuries are severe and the other party was clearly at fault.

No. Negotiating with an insurance adjuster does not pause the statute of limitations. Adjusters sometimes drag out talks until the deadline is close. Only filing a lawsuit in court, or reaching a signed settlement, protects your claim from the two-year deadline.

Florida generally gives the personal representative of the estate two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The deadline can differ from the date of the accident if the person passed away later, so families should speak with a lawyer as early as possible.

No. Rideshare accident claims are negligence claims, so the same two-year deadline usually applies. The difference is that rideshare cases often involve several insurance policies, which takes time to investigate. Starting early helps identify every source of coverage before the deadline.

Yes. Slip and fall and other premises liability claims based on negligence generally must be filed within two years of the injury. Store video and maintenance records are often deleted quickly, so early action matters even more in these cases.

In most Florida injury cases, the deadline runs from the date of the accident, not the date you were diagnosed. Delayed symptoms, such as those from a concussion, do not usually extend the deadline. See a doctor promptly and talk to a lawyer early.

Florida has limited rules for claims involving minors and people who are legally incapacitated, but they are narrow and do not always extend the deadline. Parents often have their own claim for a child's medical bills, which can follow the standard deadline. A lawyer should review any case involving a child.

The statute of limitations requires a lawsuit to be filed in court within the deadline. Opening a claim with an insurance company is not enough. Many cases settle without trial, but the lawsuit must be filed on time to protect your rights if talks fail.

Some claims settle within a few months, while cases that go to trial can take a year or more. The timeline depends on medical treatment, the amount of insurance available, and whether liability is disputed. A trial-ready approach often pushes insurers toward a fair settlement sooner.

My Trial Lawyer offers a free case evaluation and handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and you owe no attorney fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. Fees are explained in writing before any work begins.

Yes. My Trial Lawyer represents injury victims in Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Jupiter, as well as Miami-Dade, Broward, and communities throughout Florida. Call (786) 855-1000 for a free case evaluation.