Home » FAQs » What Is the Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Florida?

What Is the Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Florida?

It is not unusual for clients to ask, “What is the car accident statute of limitations in Florida?” as they are rightly worried about timely filing their case and having a shot at justice. At Farah & Farah, our car accident lawyers have decades of combined experience helping clients meet their lawsuit filing deadlines and developing strong evidence to pursue damages for their economic and non-economic harm.

If you want to sue another party after a car accident, you must do so within the statute of limitations the legislature has set for your type of claim. The Florida statute of limitations for car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents is two years from the accident date.

A judge will likely dismiss your case if you fail to timely file your lawsuit, regardless of the extent of your damages. Don’t miss out on potential compensation. Hire an experienced Florida car accident lawyer at Farah & Farah to help you meet the statute of limitations and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Are Statutes of Limitations?

Legislatures set time limits called statutes of limitations during which you must file lawsuits. The statute of limitations for a specific type of claim varies between states and within states for different claims.

For example, in Florida, you have two years from your accident date to file a car accident claim but four years to file a lawsuit to recover personal property. If you do not file your case before the deadline, the law bars you from recovering damages.

If another Floridian’s distracted driving, speeding, or other negligent act caused your accident, contact an experienced Farah & Farah car accident lawyer so we can file your case promptly.

Do All Auto Accidents Have the Same Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations is two years for car, truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian accidents. It is also two years if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida. However, an accident involving a government vehicle, such as a bus, has a different statute of limitations.

The Florida statute of limitations for suing the government is three years. The procedures in these cases differ from other car accident lawsuits, making it all the more important to seek out the help of an experienced attorney to file your claim.

Whether you are suing a private citizen, corporation, or government entity, let the knowledgeable attorneys at Farah & Farah file your case within the applicable limitations period so you can take care of yourself and your family.

Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

If your loved one died in a car accident, you can sue for wrongful death. The Florida wrongful death statute of limitations is two years from the date of death rather than the date of the accident.

Spouses, children, and, in some cases, parents can file wrongful death claims in Florida. The deceased’s estate also can file suit. Relatives who were financially dependent on the decedent also can make a claim.

You and your family face financial and emotional hardship following the death of a loved one in a car accident, and you deserve a chance at fair compensation for your expenses and pain and suffering. Our fatal car accident attorneys in Florida are firmly committed to helping people like you and your family when they need it the most.

What Happens if I Miss the Deadline To File a Claim?

Some exceptions in Florida law give you more time to file your lawsuit. These exceptions delay when the time frame begins or pause it partway through, effectively extending the deadline for filing suit. The exceptions to the Florida statute of limitations for car accidents include:

The two-year time limit for filing suit does not begin for minors until their 18th birthday.

The two-year time limit does not begin immediately for people a judge deems incapacitated. These plaintiffs have two years from the time their incapacitation ends but no longer than seven years from the accident date.
A judge can grant you more time if the defendant avoids your claim by leaving the state, hiding within the state, or changing their identity.

You also can ask for time beyond two years from the accident date if you were involved in a hit-and-run and don’t know the other driver’s identity. Talk to a knowledgeable Farah & Farah hit-and-run accident lawyer in Florida when you need help. We work with skilled Florida investigators to identify hit-and-run drivers and stay in contact with authorities so we can file your suit as soon as possible.

Never assume you will get an extension of the statute of limitations for a Florida car accident. You may believe you deserve more time, but a judge can disagree and dismiss your case.

Your Farah & Farah Florida car accident attorney will ensure your case is filed promptly and fight tenaciously for damages and justice. Our case results include collecting more than $2 billion for our clients, and we have no intention of slowing down.

How Can Farah & Farah Help You File a Car Accident Claim?

The two-year statute of limitations for a Florida car accident can go by quickly. You need a law firm with significant experience in Florida personal injury cases to support you and your family, timely file your lawsuit, and handle settlement negotiations with insurance companies that don’t want to pay. 

Our Farah & Farah Florida car accident lawyers can do the following:

Choose a doctor for treatment and documentation of your injuries.
Investigate your accident and collect evidence such as photos, videos, and witness statements.
Handle paperwork from hospitals and insurance companies.
Negotiate with the other party’s insurance company.
Prepare you for testimony or depositions.
Represent you in court if necessary.

Some of our Farah & Farah attorneys used to represent insurance companies, so we know their tactics. Partner with us immediately and never talk to insurance companies without your lawyer present. They may try to persuade you to drop your case, use your words against you later, or offer lowball settlements, hoping you just want the process to end.

Trust the Farah & Farah team to fight insurance companies, especially if they try to stall your case in hopes you miss the statute of limitations. We will not allow them to trick you out of your chance to pursue damages.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review

You need an experienced attorney so you don’t have to worry about questions such as, “What is the car accident statute of limitations in Florida?” Farah & Farah has been protecting people like you and your family since 1979, and we are firmly committed to fighting for victims of other people’s negligence and carelessness.

We are honored when people take the time to leave client testimonials about our passion, work ethic, and communication skills. We know that caring, understanding, and hard work are how to win.

Call Farah & Farah today at (877) 245-6707, or contact us for a free, no-obligation case review. We believe everyone deserves quality representation, so we take our personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis. We cover the costs of investigating and litigating your case. You only pay us if we win.