What is my best next action? Do I need to file an appeal of my claim's dismissal?

If you sued the driver after the statute of limitations expired your rights are extinguished.

The court does not have jurisdiction over the matter or the parties if the complaint was filed too late.

No one online can know what is going on in your case because online we cannot find out any details. You need a lawyer. Check with another lawyer in your locale to discuss more of the details.

Good luck to you.

God bless.

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