How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim an Injury?
The most ideal time to start working on your car accident claim is when you discover the injuries. When you file a claim, you have the potential to receive compensation for all the pain, suffering, and other damages you have experienced from the crash.
Unfortunately, a claim that’s been filed early may also fail to account for delayed injuries and other damages that manifest later. But waiting too long can also reduce your chances of getting sufficient compensation or even bar you from filing a claim altogether.
The best way to go around this is to contact your car accident lawyer immediately when a crash happens so they can get started right away with evaluating your case. There are several other reasons why you shouldn’t wait too long to file a claim for your car accident injuries.
Statute of Limitations
Each state has a period within which you can file a car accident or personal injury claim at large. After this time elapses, the civil court is likely to decline your application. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations.
If you live in Texas, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim. This is one of the things you have to keep in mind when determining how long you can wait to get started.
The other thing is that in some states, the clock begins ticking after the discovery of injuries, as opposed to when the accident occurs.
The Issue of Delayed Injuries
When a car accident happens, your injuries might show at the moment or manifest days, weeks, or even months later. This is why it’s always crucial to seek medical attention after a crash even if you feel completely fine.
Delayed injuries such as a traumatic brain injury, back pain, internal bleeding, neck pain, and numbness are common among crash victims. They can also become a problem when they appear after you’ve totaled your damages and filed a claim. The insurance company might deny liability for these injuries by claiming that another incident might have caused them.
If you visit a doctor right after the accident, they might conduct some tests to determine the likelihood of other injuries and include this in your medical report. Additionally, an attorney can guide you and protect your rights when the insurance company acts in bad faith.
Speak with a Car Accident Attorney
The first thing on your mind after a car accident isn’t probably going to be how long you have to file a claim, but it’s a crucial question for victims. When you wait too long, the statute of limitations might elapse, and important evidence loses value over time.
With each accident being unique, consider consulting with a car accident lawyer to determine how you should approach your claim. Get a free case review from an attorney at Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. when you call 214-665-6930 or send a message through our contact form.
