Florida Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement Calculator

The statute of limitations for this type of claim in Florida is 4 years — longer than the national average of 2.8 years. While you have more time than most states, delaying still weakens your case as evidence degrades and witnesses become harder to locate. Importantly, Florida recognizes a discovery rule, which can extend the filing window in cases where the harm was not immediately apparent.

As a no-fault auto insurance state, Florida requires you to file a claim with your own insurance company first under your personal injury protection (PIP) policy, regardless of who caused the accident. You can only file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet Florida's serious injury threshold — typically involving significant disfigurement, permanent injury, or medical expenses exceeding the PIP limit. This two-step process means many minor car accident claims in Florida are resolved entirely through PIP, while serious injury cases proceed as traditional lawsuits.

Drivers in Florida must carry at least 25/50/10 in liability coverage — that’s $25K bodily injury per person, $50K per accident, and $10K property damage. While this meets the state minimum, a single ER visit can easily exceed these limits. The at-fault driver’s policy may not fully cover your losses in a serious accident.

Claims against government entities in Florida — such as accidents involving government vehicles, city buses, or dangerous road conditions maintained by a municipality — require a formal notice of claim within 180 days. This compressed timeline catches many accident victims off guard. If a government entity may be at fault, consulting an attorney immediately is critical to preserving your right to compensation.