Find Out How Long You Have to Hire a Tallahassee Car Accident Lawyer

When you get injured in a car accident in Tallahassee, you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim. If you wait too long, you can lose your right to just compensation—no matter how obvious it is that the accident was someone else’s fault. To protect your legal rights, you need to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires, and it is best if you discuss your claim with a Tallahassee car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

The Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases in Tallahassee

Until recently, the statute of limitations for car accident cases in Tallahassee was four years from the date of the accident. However, under a new law signed by Governor DeSantis on March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations has been reduced to two years from the date of the crash for claims based on negligence. This change took effect immediately, which means that individuals who get injured in car accidents after March 24, 2023, are subject to the new two-year statute of limitations (in most cases).

Importantly, the change to Florida’s statute of limitations in 2023 does not apply to claims based on products liability. Products liability law governs car accident claims involving vehicle defects (i.e., tire blowouts, airbag explosions, and brake failures). So, if you have a claim against a manufacturer or dealership based on a defect, Florida’s four-year statute of limitations still applies.

What Happens if the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim Expires?

When you have a car accident claim, it is extremely important that you file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. If you don’t, you will lose the ability to file. While the expiration of the statute of limitations can be delayed (or “tolled”) in some circumstances, you should not rely on having any extra time to assert your legal rights.

How Do You Prevent the Statute of Limitations from Expiring?

In most cases, recovering your losses after a car accident in Tallahassee involves filing an auto insurance claim. However, filing an auto insurance claim does not prevent the statute of limitations from expiring. The statute of limitations continues to run until you file a lawsuit in court. So, even if you are dealing with the insurance companies, if two years pass, you could still find yourself unable to recover the financial compensation you deserve. With this in mind, it is extremely important that you discuss your case with a Tallahassee car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Discuss Your Claim with an Experienced Tallahassee Car Accident Lawyer in Confidence

If you have questions about your legal rights after a car accident in Tallahassee, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tallahassee car accident lawyer at Searcy Denney as soon as possible, call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online now.