When should I call a lawyer?

As soon as you are able to following your accident. The minute the responsible driver reports the accident to his/her insurance company, they will start working on ways to defeat your claim.  It only makes sense that you should also have someone working to protect your claim.  Although Florida law allows you four years to bring a lawsuit based on a negligent act, it is important to have an lawyer begin investigating your case and preserving evidence as soon as possible while evidence is still available and the recollections of eyewitnesses are still fresh.