That car accident shook you up, and your car is totaled. You just finished treating injuries, but the hospital bills and car bills are piling up. It’s time to think about suing the person responsible for your accident for damages.
Thanks to the Statute of Limitations, you’re in luck for having some time after an accident to begin suing for damages. So, how long after an accident can you sue? Let’s explore the options below.
What Should You Do After an Accident?
After an accident happens, and if you are not too injured, make sure you document all damages to your vehicle. Also document any damage to yourself and the kinds of treatment you received. If your treatment is ongoing, document that and the accruing costs as well.
Contact your attorney after an accident. They can help you get started on suing the offender who damaged either your car, your health, or both. The sooner the lawsuit process can start, the more likely you are to reach your desired settlement in court.
What happens if you are partially to blame for the accident?
How Long After an Accident Can You Sue?
The U.S. legal system works to protect you when it comes to car accidents and damages. This gives you a good legal basis to work with when suing someone for damages to your car or possible injuries to your person.
Thanks to the Statute of Limitations, you have a time frame to work within when suing someone for damages. The Statute of Limitations gives you two years after an accident to begin a lawsuit if you were injured and three years for property damage (like your car, for example).
How Does the Statute of Limitations Work?
Filing for a lawsuit after two years means the courts could dismiss your case. You’ve filed outside of the allotted time frame by law, so they don’t have to hear your case. If they do choose to hear it, you could run into problems with the person you are suing.
The person you are suing could also use the Statute of Limitations end date to their advantage in court. One reason the Statute of Limitations exists is to help inform your offender how long after an accident they may be sued. If you try to sue them outside of that time frame, they can argue that it is too late for you to sue them for damages.
How Does the Statute of Limitations Help Me?
The Statute of Limitations is also a benefit to you too. It pushes you to provide recent evidence of your getting hurt. It helps to keep the proceedings on track and within the time frame.
So, how long after an accident can you sue? It’s two years for injury and three years for car damage.
Memories don’t remain fresh, and sometimes the evidence for damages can get lost. File for a lawsuit as early as you can to avoid losing your case.
Want to know more about what you need to do during legal disputes and lawsuits? Check out the rest of our website for more.
Finally, who pays in an accident lawsuit?
