{"id":80016,"date":"2026-10-21T08:04:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-settlements-florida\/what-is-the-process-for-filing-a-car-accident-claim-in-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T00:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T00:21:36","slug":"what-is-the-process-for-filing-a-car-accident-claim-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-settlements-florida\/what-is-the-process-for-filing-a-car-accident-claim-in-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Car Accident Claim Process: Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Florida Car Accident Claim Process: Step-by-Step Guide<\/h1>\n

Florida Car Accident Claims: The Steps in Order<\/h2>\n

The process for filing a car accident claim in Florida runs in a clear order. You get medical care, report the crash, notify your insurer, gather evidence, present the claim, and file a lawsuit only if the claim does not resolve.<\/p>\n

If you’re reading this, someone you love may have been hurt in a crash. Or you may be the one who was hurt. Either way, you may be facing medical bills, missed work, and a pile of insurance letters. You don’t have to solve all of it at once.<\/p>\n

Florida works differently from many states. Florida requires registered vehicle owners to keep security that provides personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. Fla. Stat. \u00a7 627.733<\/a> sets that rule for registered vehicle owners, other than owners of a motor vehicle used as a school bus as defined in s. 1006.25 or a limousine. Insurance questions after a crash can involve more than one policy, so it is worth reviewing them with a lawyer early.<\/p>\n

The steps overlap. Some deadlines start early, so it helps to know the order before you begin. The sections below walk through each step in the order a claim usually moves.<\/p>\n\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Step 1 and 2: Get Medical Care and Report the Crash<\/h2>\n

Get medical care first, and report the crash right after. Your health comes first. Your medical records also become the proof of your injuries later.<\/p>\n

See a doctor promptly, even if you feel you only have bumps and bruises. Some injuries, including many neck, back, and head injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Follow your doctors’ care plan, and keep every appointment you can.<\/p>\n

Call the police after a crash. Ask for the report number, and get the names of the officers and any witnesses. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, and your injuries when it is safe to do so.<\/p>\n

Some people treat on a letter of protection. That is a promise that a provider will be paid from a future settlement or verdict. Florida law requires a claimant to disclose a copy of that letter and to say whether they had health care coverage when they were treated. Florida law sets out the disclosures a claimant must make before asserting a claim for medical expenses for treatment rendered under a letter of protection. Keep copies of every letter and bill you sign.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company and File for PIP Benefits<\/h2>\n

Notify your own insurer promptly and ask about PIP benefits. Do this even if the other driver caused the crash.<\/p>\n

PIP is a limited benefit. It can help with some medical costs and lost income, but it may not cover every bill or loss. Your policy and the claim process decide what gets paid.<\/p>\n

When the insurer asks for information, you have rights too. An injured person can ask for a copy of the information the insurer obtained under the PIP statute. You may have to pay a reasonable charge if the insurer requires it.<\/p>\n

Your insurer may also ask you to attend an exam. If your physical or mental condition is material to your PIP claim, you must submit to an examination by a physician when the insurer asks. The insurer pays for that exam. Attend it, and describe what hurts and how it affects your daily life.<\/p>\n

Keep copies of every form and letter you send and receive. Write down the date and name of every call. Good records help later.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Gather Evidence and the Documents You Need<\/h2>\n

Gather evidence early, because some of it does not last. Witness names, camera footage, and scene details can disappear within days.<\/p>\n

Start a folder with these items:<\/p>\n