Jacksonville Accident Law Snapshot

Jacksonville Car Accident Claims

Legal Options After a Car Accident in Jacksonville In Jacksonville, injured parties can pursue compensation by filing a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit. Florida follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar under HB 837 (Fla. Stat. §768.81), effective March 24, 2023 - recovery is barred when fault exceeds 50%. Victims can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years under HB 837, so acting promptly is essential.

Quick Facts

Statute: 2 years (HB 837, eff. March 24, 2023).
Fault Rule: Modified comparative negligence, 51% bar (HB 837, eff. March 24, 2023 - barred if fault exceeds 50%).
Minimum Coverage: 10/20/10.

Jacksonville Law

Key Facts for Jacksonville Accident Claims

Statute of Limitations

2 years (HB 837, eff. March 24, 2023).

Personal injury claims

Fault System

Modified comparative negligence, 51% bar (HB 837, eff. March 24, 2023 - barred if fault exceeds 50%).

Comparative fault rules

Min. Liability Coverage

10/20/10.

State minimums

Uninsured Motorist

Must be offered unless rejected.

Coverage status

Statute of Limitations in Jacksonville

For accidents on or after March 24, 2023, generally two years from the date of the accident applies to Jacksonville personal injury lawsuits under HB 837. Older claims may still be governed by the previous four-year rule, and property damage claims generally still have a four-year filing period. Filing after the applicable deadline generally results in dismissal. Filing promptly helps preserve evidence and ensures timely access to medical and witness records.

Don't Wait: Evidence can disappear and memories fade. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Jacksonville's Fault System

Florida's modified comparative negligence system under HB 837 allows injured parties to recover damages only if their fault does not exceed 50%; a plaintiff found 51% or more at fault is barred from recovery. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault. Proper documentation is critical to prevent insurers from assigning excessive responsibility to trigger the bar or reduce payouts unfairly.

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Insurance Requirements

Drivers in Jacksonville must carry minimum liability coverage of 10/20/10. Insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage unless rejected in writing. UM coverage provides financial protection when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.

Author

Cash4Crashes Editorial Team

Legal Review

Cash4Crashes Legal Review Team

Last Updated

2026-08-04

Sources

Free FL Case Review

Jacksonville FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

For accidents on or after March 24, 2023, generally two years from the date of the accident applies to a Jacksonville personal injury lawsuit under Florida's HB 837 deadline. This deadline applies to the lawsuit itself, and it runs regardless of whether you're still negotiating with an insurance adjuster when it approaches. Waiting to see how settlement talks go can eat up time you don't have. Documenting the crash scene, medical treatment, and witness contacts as soon as possible protects your case whether it settles or eventually goes to court.

Yes, as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. Florida's modified comparative negligence rule under HB 837 bars recovery when fault exceeds 50%, but someone found 20% at fault still recovers 80% of their losses. Insurance adjusters often push for a higher fault share to trigger the 51% bar or lower their payout obligation. Having the police report, photos of vehicle damage, and any witness statements available gives you leverage to contest an inflated fault percentage before it locks in a lowball offer.

Jacksonville drivers must carry Florida's minimum liability coverage of 10/20/10: $10,000 bodily injury per person, $20,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage. These limits often fall short of covering hospital bills and lost wages from a serious collision, leaving injured drivers to look elsewhere for the remaining costs. That's where your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can help close the gap. Checking the at-fault driver's actual policy limits early tells you whether their insurance will realistically cover your damages.

Florida law requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage on every policy, but Jacksonville drivers can decline it in writing, so it isn't automatically part of your coverage. This protection matters most when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insurance too thin to cover your injuries, which happens often enough to matter. Without UM coverage, you're left relying on health insurance and personal funds for treatment costs. Reviewing your policy's declarations page confirms whether you currently carry this protection.

Get Help from a Jacksonville Attorney

Our Jacksonville accident attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Free case review, no fee unless you win.

(877) 611-4299