Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Florida
The deadline to sue after a crash in Florida, how fault is shared, when a crash must be reported, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Florida: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Florida requires every contingent fee arrangement to be a written contract signed by the client and a lawyer for the firm, stating the percentages on settlement, trial or appeal and the costs deducted (and whether before or after the fee); the client gets a copy and, at the end, an itemized closing statement. Contingent fees are banned for criminal defendants and for domestic relations fees contingent on a divorce or the amount of alimony, support or property settlement. In personal injury, wrongful death and property damage tort cases, the client must first receive and sign a Statement of Client's Rights, and the contract may be cancelled in writing within 3 business days. Without court approval, fees above these levels are presumed clearly excessive: before an answer is filed (or demand for arbitrators), 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million, 30% of $1-2 million, and 20% above $2 million; after an answer through judgment, 40% up to $1 million, 30% of $1-2 million, 20% above $2 million; if all defendants admit liability and ask for trial on damages only, 33 1/3% up to $1 million, 20% of $1-2 million, 15% above $2 million; plus an additional 5% if an appeal or post-judgment action is needed. In medical liability cases the lawyer must also give the client the text of Florida Constitution article I, section 26 (which, unless waived, entitles the claimant to at least 70% of the first $250,000 of damages). |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Florida Bar's Legal Fee Arbitration Program is free and voluntary: either the lawyer or the client can start it, but both must consent by signing an Agreement to Arbitrate. An arbitrator hears testimony, reviews evidence and makes a final and binding decision. Consumer guide: https://www.floridabar.org/public/consumer/pamphlet009/ |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Florida Bar Clients' Security Fund, financed by part of Bar members' dues, may provide discretionary relief to people who lost money because a Florida lawyer misappropriated it during an attorney-client relationship. The lawyer generally must have been suspended, disbarred or had a license revoked (or have died), and a grievance must be filed unless the lawyer was already disbarred, revoked or deceased. Limits: unearned fees up to $5,000 (only if no useful services were provided) and misappropriation up to $250,000; damages, expenses and lost interest are not paid, and negligence, malpractice and fee disputes are not covered. File within three years of the final disciplinary action or the lawyer's death; processing often takes more than 12 months, and theft claims are paid once a year (prorated if funds are short). |
Florida rules to know first
| Deadline to sue | A lawsuit founded on negligence (such as most car-accident and slip-and-fall injury claims) must be filed within 2 years. Claims for assault, battery, false imprisonment and other intentional torts have 4 years, as do product-related injury claims. The 2-year negligence period was shortened from 4 years by 2023 legislation; claims that accrued earlier may be governed by the prior law. |
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| Fault rule | Modified comparative fault (51% bar). In negligence cases, an injured person's own fault reduces the damages proportionately, but a person found more than 50% at fault for his or her own harm recovers nothing. This bar does not apply to personal injury or wrongful death claims for medical negligence, where pure comparative fault applies. Each defendant generally pays only its own percentage of fault. Source: Fla. Stat. § 768.81(2), (3), (6) |
| When to report a crash to police | A driver in a crash that causes injury or death, or apparent damage to a vehicle or other property of at least $2,000, must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Florida Highway Patrol office. Failing to do so is a noncriminal traffic infraction. A driver who damages an unattended vehicle or property must also notify the nearest police authority without unnecessary delay (§ 316.063). Each party must give the officer proof of insurance (§ 316.066(1)(d)). Source: Fla. Stat. § 316.065(1) |
| Minimum car insurance | Florida is a no-fault state. Owners must carry personal injury protection (PIP) of $10,000 in medical and disability benefits (medical benefits pay 80% of reasonable expenses) and $5,000 in death benefits, plus $10,000 of property damage liability. Because of PIP, an injured person can sue an at-fault driver for pain, suffering and similar non-economic damages only if the injury involves significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, a permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. The statutes reviewed do not require bodily injury liability coverage for all drivers; separate financial responsibility rules (Chapter 324) can require it after certain crashes or violations. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service matches you with a lawyer based on your legal issue and location after you briefly describe your situation. "You can receive a 30-minute consultation for no more than $25." Call 800-342-8011 (weekdays 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) or use the online referral form, available 24/7. Local bar associations run nine referral services in Florida's major cities, and The Florida Bar handles referrals from all other areas. The service does not have pro bono lawyers. Coverage areas: https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/coverage-areas/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Florida Bar's member search ("Find a Member") lets you look up Florida lawyers by name, Bar number (exact match), city, county, state or country, with filters for eligible lawyers only, board certifications, practice areas, law schools and languages. Source: The Florida Bar, Find a Member |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Florida Bar's Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) is a resource for people who want to discuss concerns about a lawyer's conduct: call 866-352-0707. To file a formal Bar complaint, download the complaint form, review the instructions and submit it as directed. The Bar publishes a monthly summary of disciplinary actions and instructions for viewing discipline documents. The Florida Bar: 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399; 850-561-5600. Filing a complaint: https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/filing-a-complaint/ ; Discipline documents: https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/instructions/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Florida's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Bay Area Legal Services, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Florida Rural Legal Services, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Legal Services of North Florida and Three Rivers Legal Services. The Florida Bar's referral page also points people seeking free or low-cost help to Florida legal aid programs listed at fundingfla.org. Florida Bar LRS page: https://www.floridabar.org/public/lrs/ |
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All legal help in Florida · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.