After a serious collision, filing deadlines may be far from your mind. Your focus may be on getting medical care or finding a way to manage missed work. Insurance companies may also begin contacting you before you understand how the crash will affect your recovery. The Daytona Beach car accident statute of limitations matters because it can determine how long you have to bring a lawsuit for injuries caused by another driver.
A local motor vehicle crash attorney can review the timing of the crash and explain which deadline applies to your case. At Rue & Ziffra, we can also preserve evidence and deal with insurers while you focus on your recovery. Taking action early can help protect your right to seek compensation if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
Florida law generally gives an injured person two years to file a negligence lawsuit arising from a vehicle crash. For someone injured in a car crash in Daytona Beach, the statute of limitations can continue running even while insurers are reviewing the claim. Filing a claim with an insurer is not the same as filing a lawsuit in court. Settlement discussions also do not automatically stop the deadline. If the applicable period expires before your attorney properly files your lawsuit, you may lose the ability to pursue the claim in court.
The state changed the limitations period for negligence actions to two years in 2023. The amendment applies to causes of action that accrued after March 24, 2023. Before the change, many negligence claims were subject to a four-year limitations period.
Because of that change, the date of your car accident in Daytona Beach can affect the statute of limitations that governs your injury claim. A crash occurring after March 24, 2023, will generally fall under the current two-year rule, while the prior law may govern a claim arising from an earlier collision. Reviewing the accident date carefully is especially important for older claims because applying the wrong period could lead to a missed filing deadline.
State law recognizes limited circumstances that can toll, or pause, the statutory deadline. Florida Statutes § 95.051 identifies the grounds that may suspend the running of certain filing periods. Whether tolling applies depends on the facts and the specific legal basis involved.
Ongoing medical treatment or an insurance investigation does not simply extend the time limit for a claim after a motor vehicle collision in Daytona Beach. For that reason, waiting for treatment to end before asking about the filing deadline can create unnecessary risk. Our legal team can review the circumstances of your crash and determine whether any statutory tolling provision may apply.
Acting early also allows more time to gather records and locate witnesses before important evidence becomes harder to obtain. Rue & Ziffra can handle communications with the insurance company while preparing the legal and factual support needed for a claim.
Missing a filing deadline can prevent an injured person from pursuing an otherwise valid lawsuit. Recognizing the importance of the Daytona Beach car accident statute of limitations is crucial. It may also be the only timing issue that affects your case, so understanding your legal options early can help you make informed decisions.
As your local injury attorneys, our team at Rue & Ziffra has more than 50 years of experience helping injured people through the legal process. We are in your community and on your side. Contact us today for a free consultation. We can review your accident, explain the filing deadline, and discuss your options for pursuing compensation. Ask a client; you’ll become one.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
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