Florida Car Accident Guide
STATE RESOURCE GUIDE · SOURCES CHECKED OCTOBER 23, 2026
Use this Florida guide to locate your crash report, organize claim documents, and identify questions about filing deadlines.
Get the official crash report
FLHSMV is Florida’s official crash-record repository. Use its crash portal for purchase instructions, eligibility requirements, and confidentiality rules. A report may not be immediately available after a collision.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles report instructions ↗
Understand the general lawsuit deadline
Current Florida Statutes §95.11(5)(a) sets a two-year limitation for actions founded on negligence. The law changed in 2023; older claims require checking the applicable version and transition rules. Do not assume an older four-year summary applies to your crash.
Read the official deadline source ↗
A lawsuit deadline is different from an insurance notice deadline. The starting date, defendant, type of claim, and exceptions matter. Government claims, minors, and wrongful-death claims can involve different rules. This summary does not calculate your filing date. Ask a licensed attorney to confirm your specific deadlines promptly; negotiations do not necessarily stop a filing clock.
Build your claim file
- Keep the report number and investigating agency’s contact information.
- Save original photographs, witness contact details, and messages about the collision.
- Collect repair estimates, towing and storage invoices, and rental receipts.
- Keep claim numbers and a dated record of conversations with insurers.
- Track documented expenses and missed work separately from estimates.
Useful next steps
Follow the accident checklist · Track your expenses · Organize vehicle-value figures · Prepare for a legal consultation
Questions to take to an attorney
- Which jurisdiction and limitation period apply to this claim?
- Is a government notice or another early filing required?
- What evidence needs to be preserved before it disappears?
- How should insurance benefits and potential claims be coordinated?
General educational information, not legal advice. Sources were checked October 23, 2026; no attorney review is represented. Official agency pages control report access, fees, and procedures.