How long after a car accident can you claim injury?
Most of the time, the claimants ask how long after a car accident you can claim injury. Different states have different procedures that decide on personal injury and accident claim insurance. Usually, you can claim a car accident injury within two to five years depending on the statute of limitations of your state. There are various other factors involved so let’s discuss them briefly.
- Understanding the state-wise statute of limitations
- Reach the best auto accident attorney
- Claim your car accident as soon as possible
- To protect evidence
- To get medical receipts
- To avoid legal complications
State-wise Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Injury Claims
You might wonder what is the statute of limitations. It is a law that requires a civil or criminal case to be initiated within a certain period. This means that if you or your property is affected by an accident in Alaska, you must file within two years which is the statute of limitations in Alaska. And it varies from state to state and the type to type accidents. Below is the list shared that will help you get a brief idea about the Statute of Limitations in different states regarding personal injury and property damage claims.
| State | Statute Of Limitations For Property Damage Claims | Statute Of Limitations For Injury Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years | 2 years |
| Alaska | 2 years | 2 years |
| Arizona | 2 years | 2 years |
| Arkansas | 3 years | 3 years |
| California | 3 years | 2 years |
| Colorado | 3 years | 3 years |
| Connecticut | 2 years | 2 years |
| Delaware | 2 years | 2 years |
| Washington D.C. | 3 years | 3 years |
| Florida | 4 years | 4 years |
| Georgia | 4 years | 2 years |
| Hawaii | 2 years | 2 years |
| Idaho | 3 years | 2 years |
| Illinois | 5 years | 2 years |
| Indiana | 2 years | 2 years |
| Iowa | 5 years | 2 years |
| Kansas | 2 years | 2 years |
| Kentucky | 2 years | 1 year |
| Louisiana | 1 year | 1 year |
Reach the best auto accident attorney
Another way to understand how long after a car accident can you claim injury is to reach the best auto accident attorney in your state. He will help you understand the legal procedures and will collect the evidence as required. Because as a claimant, you need to understand the following things;
- Car insurance coverage
- Severity of damage to property or personal injury
- Legal ways to get compensation in case of delayed claim
Your accident claim attorney will also guide you about non-injury claims and injury claims as both claims are conducted differently. Noninjury claims are usually resolved within a month or two, as they require car damage and car repairs. However, injury claims require more evidence about the injury and unnecessary delays will create complications in getting insurance pay.
Why you should claim your car accident as soon as possible?
- To protect evidence
- To get medical receipts
- To avoid legal complications
- To avoid questions about injuries
Proficient car accident attorneys suggest that you must file the claim immediately to get compensation easily as uninformed delays may create complications that will be hard to sort out later. There are various reasons for that, one is, that you might lose the evidence on-site.
Also, it will be difficult to gather the witnesses or make them recall the accident in their memory. These factors will make the accident claim and insurance pay tough to receive.
Moreover, claiming the car accident earlier will help you get a doctor’s receipt about any physical condition that turned into a critical health issue later.
What Happens If You Miss a Court Date for a Car Accident?
Insurance claim or lawsuit? What to choose?
Various auto car insurance companies find ways to complicate the matter in case you delay your insurance claim. In such a scenario, you can file a personal injury lawsuit in consultation with your auto accident car attorney.
In other cases, when you face severe injuries and timely claims, the insurance companies will most likely opt for settlements to avoid lawsuits and paying extra for any legal trial.
Conclusion
Hope you get the answer to how long after a car accident can you claim injury. Make it as immediate as possible with all evidence in hand and get help from the best auto accident attorney to get insurance pay without any legal complication.
