How Long Do You Have to File a Florida Car Accident Claim? Deadlines That Can Cost You Everything

If you were injured in a crash, time is not just a detail—it’s a dealbreaker.

 

People search “Florida statute of limitations car accident 2 years” for a reason: miss the deadline, and you can lose the right to recover compensation, even if the other driver was clearly at fault.

 

Florida’s statute of limitations: the big picture

 

Florida law changed in recent years. For many negligence-based personal injury lawsuits, the limitations period is now two years for causes of action accruing after March 24, 2023.

 

That can apply to motor vehicle accident cases like:

• Car accidents

• Truck accidents

• Motorcycle crashes

• Pedestrian accidents

• Bicycle collisions

• Rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft)

(There can be exceptions and special rules, so it’s important to confirm how the law applies to your specific facts.)

 

Wrongful death has its own strict timeline

 

If a crash results in a fatality, Florida’s wrongful death deadline is typically two years from the date of death.

 

If you’re looking for a fatal car accident lawyer or wrongful death attorney, it’s not “too soon” to ask questions—evidence and deadlines don’t pause for grief.

 

The deadlines inside the deadline

 

Even if you’re “within two years,” waiting can still hurt your case because:

1) PIP and the 14-day rule Florida’s PIP statute is tied to getting medical treatment within 14 days to access benefits in many situations.
That’s why “14-day PIP rule Florida,” “PIP lawyer Florida,” and “how to file PIP claim Florida” are common searches.

 

2) Evidence disappears

• Video gets overwritten

• Vehicles get repaired or totaled

• Witnesses vanish

• Crash scenes change quickly

This is especially true in truck accident lawyer Fort Lauderdale cases and delivery truck accident lawyer cases (Amazon, FedEx, UPS), where proof may include driver logs, dispatch records, and vehicle data.

 

What you should do sooner rather than later

 

If you’ve been hurt, prioritize:

• Medical care (document symptoms early)

• Photos, dashcam footage, and witness info

• Getting the crash report (Fort Lauderdale accident report / Broward County crash report online)

• Avoiding recorded statements until you understand your rights

And if you’re wondering how long does a car accident settlement take Florida—delays often happen when treatment and documentation start late.

 

The bottom line

 

If you’re in Broward County or anywhere in South Florida, it’s smart to speak with a personal injury attorney early. Englander Peebles’ Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers emphasize acting quickly because time-sensitive evidence can disappear.

 

A free case evaluation can confirm your deadline, protect your claim, and keep you from losing benefits or leverage you didn’t even know you had.