The statute of limitations is the deadline by which an injured party must file a lawsuit to preserve their right to do so. In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims – and therefore car accident claims - is four years from the date of the accident.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the injured party is under 18 at the time of the accident, the deadline is extended. Similarly, if the injured party is experiencing a disability that prevents them from being able to file a claim, such as mental incapacity or being in a coma, the statute of limitations will not begin to run until their disability is lifted.
This may seem like a long time, but it's essential to contact a lawyer right away so they can begin gathering evidence and building your case. If you wait too long, key witnesses may disappear or die, and evidence may be lost or destroyed.