Legal Research

Navigating the aftermath of an accident or the sudden loss of a loved one is overwhelming. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we believe that informed victims make the best legal decisions. We have compiled this Legal Research and Resource Hub to help you understand your rights, track down vital public records, and navigate Florida’s complex legal deadlines before time runs out.

Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations (2026 Update)

If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have a strictly enforced legal deadline to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. In March 2023, Florida passed House Bill 837, which drastically reduced the statute of limitations for general negligence claims.

• Car Accidents, Slip and Falls, & General Negligence: For accidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023, you now have only two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (reduced from the previous four-year limit).
• Wrongful Death: Surviving family members have two years from the date of the victim’s passing to file a wrongful death claim.
• Product Liability: Lawsuits involving defective consumer goods, dangerous drugs, or exploding appliances generally must be filed within two years.
• Cruise Ship Injuries: Maritime law supersedes state law. Most major cruise lines (like Carnival and Royal Caribbean) bury a clause in your ticket contract restricting your time to file a cruise injury lawsuit to just one year, requiring filing in Federal Court.

How to Obtain Your Florida Traffic Crash Report

Securing your official police report is one of the most critical steps in proving liability after a motor vehicle collision. In Florida, crash reports are managed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

The 60-Day Confidentiality Exemption: Under Florida Statute §316.066, crash reports are exempt from public disclosure for the first 60 days following the accident. During this period, only strictly defined parties, such as the drivers involved, their insurance companies, and their legal representatives, can access the unredacted report.

How to request your report:

• Online: You can purchase the report through the official FLHSMV Florida Crash Portal. There is a statutory fee of $10.00 per report, plus a $2.00 online convenience fee. You will need to complete a sworn statement confirming your involvement in the crash.
• Through an Attorney: When you retain our law firm, our investigative team can immediately request these reports, along with 911 dispatch audio and intersection camera footage, on your behalf so you do not have to navigate the portal yourself.

Understanding Florida’s 14-Day PIP Rule

Florida is a “no-fault” auto insurance state, meaning you must turn to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to pay for your initial medical bills after a crash. However, the law features a strict trap for the unwary:

You must typically seek initial medical treatment from a qualified healthcare provider within exactly 14 days of your car accident. If you wait until day 15 to see a doctor, your auto insurance company has the legal right to completely deny your $10,000 in PIP medical benefits.

Florida State and Federal Court Directory

Depending on the nature of your case, your lawsuit may be filed in a local county courthouse or elevated to the federal level. We actively litigate in the following jurisdictions:

• Florida Circuit Courts: We can handle severe injury and wrongful death trials in State Circuit Courts across Florida, including the 11th Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade), the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward), and the 9th Judicial Circuit (Orange/Osceola).
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida: This federal court is the mandatory venue for most passenger injury claims against major cruise lines, as well as complex federal life insurance interpleader disputes.
• Multi-District Litigation (MDL): For nationwide defective product claims (such as dangerous pharmaceuticals or exploding pressure cookers), cases are often consolidated into federal MDLs to streamline the discovery process while keeping your individual lawsuit intact.

Disclaimer: The legal research and information provided on this page are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws and statutes are subject to change. Contact our office directly for a free consultation regarding the specific facts of your case.