Florida Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in Florida — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, Florida-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in Florida before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
2 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
No-Fault (Pure)
No-Fault Auto?
Yes
Min. Liability
$10,000 / $20,000
Worth knowing in Florida
Reformed in 2023: the personal-injury filing deadline was shortened from four years to two, and the state moved from pure to modified comparative fault. Florida remains a PIP/no-fault state.
The deadline to file in Florida
Florida generally gives injured people 2 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How Florida handles fault
Florida's system centers on no-fault coverage: your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and you can pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries meet a legal threshold.
No-fault vs. at-fault in Florida
Florida is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
Minimum insurance in Florida
Drivers in Florida must carry at least $10,000 / $20,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in Florida? Talk to a Florida-licensed attorney.
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How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Florida's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 2 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a Florida-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is Florida a no-fault or at-fault state?
Florida is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the Florida crash?
Florida's system centers on no-fault coverage: your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and you can pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries meet a legal threshold.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Florida?
Florida's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $10,000 / $20,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the Florida insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.