The statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Florida is two years. This doesn’t mean, however, that is you should wait for three years and eleven months to speak with an attorney. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury because of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, the best time to contact an attorney is as soon as possible.
There are many reasons for that, including:
The attorney has the time to properly investigate your case, determining all sources of liability and all insurance resources that can provide your compensation.
The attorney can take over communication with the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters try to reduce or eliminate payouts on third-party claims, including tricking you into making “statements” or authorizing them to look at your medical records. Having an attorney from the start means you can avoid being the target of those tactics.
You have an opportunity to get a better picture of the expenses and impacts involved with your injury, which can help your attorney properly value your case.
Your attorney can begin gathering the evidence and witness testimony necessary to prove your claim.
Your attorney can begin settlement negotiations. Often accident victims will receive a settlement offer very early after the injury. These offers are often low and provided in exchange for a quick resolution to the case. Accepting this initial offer is almost always a mistake and you can't undo it. Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot go back later and ask for more money.