How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?

The two-year rule

On March 24, 2023, Florida enacted House Bill 837, a sweeping tort reform law. Among its biggest changes: the statute of limitations for negligence claims — which covers most car accident lawsuits — was cut from four years to two years (Florida Statute § 95.11).

The clock starts on the date of the crash, not the date you finish treatment or realize how serious your injuries are. If your accident happened on or after March 24, 2023, the two-year deadline applies. Crashes before that date generally keep the old four-year window.

What happens if you miss it

Courts apply the statute of limitations strictly. File even one day late and your case will almost certainly be dismissed — no matter how strong your evidence is or how badly you were hurt. The insurance company knows this, which is why delay always favors them.

Limited exceptions

A few narrow situations can pause or extend the deadline — for example, claims involving minors or a defendant who leaves the state. Wrongful death claims follow their own two-year rule measured from the date of death. These exceptions are fact-specific, so never assume one applies to you without legal advice.

Why acting early matters even more than the deadline

Two years sounds like plenty of time, but strong cases are built early: skid marks fade, vehicles are repaired, camera footage is overwritten, and witnesses forget. The sooner an attorney starts preserving evidence, the stronger your negotiating position.

CrashAid refers Florida accident victims to vetted local attorneys for free. One short form — or a chat with our assistant — is all it takes to get started.