If you have been injured in a car accident in California, you have a limited time window to file a car accident claim. The California statute of limitations specifies that you can sue for injuries within six months of the accident. You are given three years to file for property damage.
The time limit mentioned above applies only to lawsuits filed following the accident and not after the actual insurance claim is filed. Contact a personal injury attorney immediately if you’ve been injured in an accident.
Inform your insurance provider as soon as possible if you have a claim. Delaying will undermine your chances of receiving compensation. If your injuries only become evident after a few months, you have a year from the injury’s discovery date to file a claim with the court. Take immediate action or you will miss the time window and fail to get the settlement you’re entitled to.
Deal with insurance right after your injury
Seeking medical attention right after the car accident injury is vital in reinforcing your claim. Whiplash and other injuries may not be apparent directly after a collision. Putting off your medical exam till later will make it difficult to prove that you were injured from a car crash and not other causes.
Immediately take these steps following a car accident:
- See your doctor even if you’re not sure you’re injured.
- Never admit you’re at fault even if you think you are.
- Inform your insurance company about the accident within 24 hours.
- If you were injured, file a claim within three days of the accident.
- Don’t provide the other party’s insurance provider any recorded statements if you are questioned.
- Take photos and document everything that occurred while you’re still at the accident scene.
- If you've been injured, consult a lawyer before giving a statement to the insurance company.
Pay attention to the time limit for filing a personal injury claim in CA
Follow the recommended steps mentioned above when filing a personal injury case. Pay attention to the statute of limitation (filing period) for the clock starts ticking as soon as you’re aware of your injuries.
Once the allotted time limit is up, your right to file for a claim is lost. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney immediately if you suspect you are injured through another’s negligence.
Should I consult an attorney to file my car accident injury claim in California?
Technically, you don’t have to. However, there’s a high probability of a substantially larger settlement with an attorney representing you. Most insurance adjusters handle claims each day and have learned how to intimidate or talk you into settling for less than what you actually deserve. A knowledgeable attorney can help you steer clear of a tricky settlement and ensure you get what’s rightfully yours.
Contact us
Call us today at (714) 515-9696 for your free and confidential initial consultation. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will offer you honest advice to help you make the right choices. Contact us directly or fill out our online form. We can help you get the most favorable injury settlement of your case.
