Florida Law Resource (The Ones You Should Know)

Here is a curated list of Florida laws and official resources by issue which you should know about as a resident of the sunshine state or when visiting.

Know your rights! But get help from a qualified Florida attorney if you face a legal problem of your own.

The following is a list of rules and regulations Florida drivers and passengers need to know. These laws govern how car insurance works and how injury claims work after a car accident. This list includes regulations governing policyholders, the minimum auto insurance requirements Florida motorists are required to carry, and matters we feel you should know. Your auto accident attorney in Florida will be able to further answer questions specific to your claim if you need further assistance.

• Florida DMV Car Accident Resource: What to do after a car accident, ticket and traffic court process, state-compiled crash data, and recommended post-collision actions. - FLHSMV - Involved in a Crash
• Florida is a No-Fault State (PIP): Under Florida Statute § 627.736, every driver must carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP pays 80% of necessary medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash or you lose PIP benefits entirely. PIP coverage exhausts fast — one ER visit plus imaging can burn through the full $10,000 before discharge. When injuries meet the serious injury threshold (permanent injury, significant scarring, or significant loss of bodily function under § 627.737), victims can step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for damages exceeding PIP limits.
• Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar): Effective March 24, 2023, HB 837 changed Florida from a pure comparative negligence state to a modified comparative negligence state under Florida Statute § 768.81. Under the old system, you could recover damages even if you were 99% at fault (your recovery was simply reduced by your fault percentage). Under the new system, if you are assigned 51% or more fault for the crash, you recover nothing. Below 51%, your compensation is reduced by your assigned fault percentage. Example: on a $200,000 claim at 30% fault, you recover $140,000. At 51% fault, you recover zero. Insurance adjusters actively work to push your fault percentage past the 51% bar to eliminate their payout obligation.
• Statute of Limitations — Two Years: Under Florida Statute § 95.11, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the crash for accidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023. Before HB 837, the deadline was four years. This two-year deadline applies to auto injury cases including rental cars, rideshare crashes, and commercial vehicles. Miss the deadline and the courts will bar your claim permanently. Claims involving government entities may have even shorter notice deadlines.
• Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations: Florida's wrongful death statute of limitations is two years from the date of death under § 95.11(4)(d). This deadline was two years before HB 837 and remains two years after. Learn more about the Florida Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations.
• Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents: See the detailed breakdown of filing deadlines for car accident injury claims in Florida, including government entity notice requirements. (§ 95.11)
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): Bodily injury liability insurance is not mandatory in Florida, meaning you can be hit by a driver with full PIP coverage but no bodily injury (BI) policy. In such cases, you may be forced to pursue damages from them personally or through your own UM/UIM coverage. Because of Florida's high uninsured driver rate (estimated at 20%+), drivers are strongly encouraged to carry UM/UIM coverage. (§ 627.727)
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): Protects you when the at-fault driver doesn't carry enough insurance to cover your losses. In Florida, UIM provides coverage when the responsible driver's liability limits are insufficient. Your attorney can stack UM/UIM policies across multiple vehicles and household policies to maximize recovery.
• Crash Reporting Requirements: Florida law governing your obligations to file a crash report and your duty to stop after an accident. (Reporting: § 316.066 / Stop Obligations: § 316.062)
• Duty to Provide Care After a Crash: Driver obligations following a crash to render aid and provide information, and the penalties for failing to do so. (§ 316.027)
• DUI Threshold: The blood-alcohol limit in Florida is .08%. Zero tolerance underage BAC limit (under 21) is .02%. Florida is an implied consent state. (FLHSMV DUI Laws)

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