Florida Car Accident Guide

Florida sees roughly 395,000 reported car accidents each year. This guide explains what drivers in Florida should know about reporting deadlines, insurance claims, fault rules, and the situations where professional legal help tends to be worth the call.

Florida at a Glance

Fault System

No-Fault State

Modified 51% bar

Statute of Limitations

2 years

PI: 2 yrs / Property: 4 yrs

Min. Liability Coverage

PIP $10,000 + PDL $10,000 (mandatory). Bodily injury liability NOT mandatory for most drivers.

PIP coverage required

Crash Report Deadline

10 days

Threshold: $500+ damage

Why Florida Is Different

Florida remains a no-fault state with mandatory PIP ($10,000), despite HB 837 (2023) tort reforms. HB 837 changed comparative fault from pure to modified 51% bar and reduced PI SOL from 4 to 2 years, but did NOT repeal no-fault/PIP. Attempts to eliminate PIP (SB 54 in 2021, HB 1181 in 2025) were vetoed by the governor. BI liability is NOT mandatory for most drivers — only PIP + PDL. The 14-day treatment deadline for PIP benefits is critical.

Step-by-Step Guides for Florida

After the AccidentWhat to Do After a Car Accident

Step-by-step checklist for the first 24 hours and beyond.

InsuranceHow to File an Insurance Claim

Navigate the Florida insurance process without losing the claim.

Decision HelpDo You Need a Lawyer?

Honest framework for deciding when an attorney is worth it.

Legal ReferenceFlorida Car Accident Laws

Complete overview of the rules that apply to your case.

Accident TypeRear-End Collision

Fault rules, common defenses, and what to do.

Accident TypeT-Bone Accident

Liability questions in side-impact crashes.

Accident TypeHit and Run

Laws, penalties, and how to recover when the other driver flees.

When Professional Help Tends to Make Sense

Most minor accidents in Florida are resolved between the drivers and their insurance companies without ever involving an attorney. Many accident victims, however, consider consulting an attorney when one or more of the following applies:

A fatality occurred, or a wrongful-death claim may be involved
Medical bills are already in the tens of thousands of dollars, or still growing
There is a permanent injury, visible scar, or any sign of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
The insurance company's first settlement offer feels far below your actual costs
The insurance company is arguing that your injuries are pre-existing, or trying to shift primary fault onto you
Multiple vehicles or multiple parties are involved and liability is unclear
Fault is disputed — especially relevant given Florida's 51% bar modified comparative fault rule
The Florida statute of limitations for personal injury (2 years from the accident) is within six months
A government vehicle, commercial truck, or rideshare driver is involved
The other driver was uninsured, underinsured, or fled the scene (hit-and-run)
Your injuries exceed Florida's no-fault / PIP threshold and you want to step outside the no-fault system

Recent Editorial Notes on Florida Law

2023: HB 837 (Tort Reform) signed March 24, 2023. Changed comparative fault from pure to modified (51% bar). Reduced personal injury SOL from 4 to 2 years. Changed bad faith insurance rules. Did NOT repeal no-fault/PIP system.
2025: HB 1181 attempted to repeal PIP and transition to mandatory BI liability (25/50/10), but was VETOED by Governor DeSantis. Florida remains a no-fault/PIP state.

Sources: FL HB 837 (2023 Session) — Tort Reform (comparative fault + SOL changes); Fla. Stat. § 768.81 (Comparative Fault - as amended by HB 837); Fla. Stat. § 627.736 (PIP Requirements); FLHSMV Insurance Requirements (flhsmv.gov/insurance/); FLHSMV Traffic Crash Statistics