On March 24, 2023, Florida's tort reform law (HB 837) took effect. It changed two rules that directly affect anyone hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash: how long you have to file, and what happens if you share some of the blame. Many websites, and many people's assumptions, still reflect the old rules.
Change 1: The Deadline Dropped from 4 Years to 2
Under Florida Statute 95.11 as amended, most negligence lawsuits, including typical car and rideshare accident claims, must now be filed within 2 years. Before HB 837, the limit was 4 years.
The new deadline applies to accidents that happened after March 24, 2023. If your accident happened before that date, the old 4-year deadline may still apply, and some of those claims remain open until early 2027. If that is you, the clock is close to running out, and the new fault rule below still applies to any lawsuit you file now.
Change 2: The 51% Rule
Florida used to follow pure comparative negligence: even if you were 90% at fault, you could still recover 10% of your damages. HB 837 changed that. Under Florida Statute 768.81(6), if you are found more than 50% at fault for your own injuries, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share.
Unlike the new deadline, this rule depends on when the lawsuit is filed, not when the crash happened. It applies to any lawsuit filed after March 24, 2023, even for an older accident. The medical-bill evidence rule described below works the same way.
This makes fault arguments far more important than they used to be. A shift from 45% to 55% fault is no longer a 10% difference in your recovery. It is the difference between a recovery and none.
How This Plays Out in Rideshare Cases
- Passengers are rarely at fault for the crash itself, but insurers may still argue that a passenger's own conduct made injuries worse.
- Other drivers hit by a rideshare vehicle should expect the insurer to dispute speed, signals, and lane position.
- Pedestrians and cyclists often face arguments about crosswalks, lighting, and visibility.
Photos, witness contact information, dashcam footage, and the rideshare company's app data become the evidence that keeps you under the 50% line.
Medical Bills Are Proven Differently Now
HB 837 also added Florida Statute 768.0427, which changes what evidence can be used to prove the cost of medical care. In many cases the focus is on amounts actually paid or payable by insurance, not just the billed amount. Keeping complete records of what was billed, what was paid, and by whom matters more than it used to.
What Did Not Change
Florida is still a no-fault state, so PIP still pays first for most medical bills, and the rideshare insurance requirements in Florida Statute 627.748 still apply, including at least $1,000,000 in coverage from the time a driver accepts a ride until the last rider exits. Our guide to PIP and the $1 million rideshare policy walks through how those pieces fit together.
What to Do Right Now
- Write down your accident date and count 2 years forward. That is your working deadline.
- Preserve fault evidence early: photos, witnesses, and any nearby cameras.
- Keep complete medical and billing records, including what insurance paid.