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Our office has had the honor of handling a wide variety of personal injury matters over the last twenty years or so. One of the first questions we are frequently asked when sitting down with someone who has been injured in an accident is, “How long do I have to bring a claim?”
The answer to this question is going to be different depending upon what kind of case our new client has. For car accidents, slip-and-falls, tourist injuries, and most other general negligence cases, the time limit from bringing the claim is four (4) years from the date of the negligent act. This four-year limitation was created by the Florida Legislature many years ago and is included in a section of the Laws of Florida commonly called the Statutes of Limitations.
How Does The Statute of Limitations Work?
For most car accidents, the Statue of Limitations would work like this: if you were involved in a car crash that occurred on August 1, 2018, your claim must be resolved or you must file suit against any and all responsible parties by the end of the day on July 31, 2022.
If your claim has not been settled by that date, or if you have not filed suit, your claim against any and all responsible parties will have expired, and all of the responsible parties would have an absolute and final way to your claims.
Not All Statutes of Limitation Are The Same
Not all negligence claims feature the four (4) year Statute of Limitations, however. Many are shorter. For example, Wrongful Death claims – including those arising from car accidents – feature a two-year Statute of Limitations. Similarly, professional negligence cases like medical, pharmacy, or attorney malpractice cases also feature a two-year Statute of Limitations.
As with many other aspects of the law, there are various loopholes and exceptions to Statutes of Limitations (although there aren’t very many). If you have any questions about the length of time that you might have to bring a claim, call Florida personal injury attorneys Kim Cullen and Robert Hemphill at 407-565-7386, or text them at 407-644-4444. Consultations are always free, 100% confidential, and without obligation.
