Car Accident Lawyer
When you’re injured in an accident, you can often file a lawsuit for personal injury, but you must be sure to do it on time. If you don’t file the claim on time, you could forfeit the opportunity to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. The following are some things you should know.
The Statute of Limitations Varies By State
If you’ve previously filed a personal injury lawsuit in another state, don’t assume the statute of limitations is the same or you could potentially miss the mark. Each state has a different statute of limitations, and you should be sure you’re filing against the deadline in your state. For example, if you are injured in an accident in Utah, you’ll have four years to file your lawsuit. If your neighbor in Nevada is injured in a car accident, he or she would only have two years to file a similar lawsuit.
The Statute of Limitations Varies By Type of Lawsuit
It’s also important to keep in mind each type of lawsuit will have a different statute of limitations, even within your state. If you’ve been involved in a medical malpractice case previously, your personal injury case could have a completely different deadline. For example, in Tennessee, you’ll only have one year to file your personal injury case for a car accident, but medical malpractice cases could allow up to three years depending on the situation. As you can see, if you confuse the two, you may not be able to file your lawsuit.
You Should Document Everything Possible
When your accident occurs, you should begin to document everything you can. The sooner you collect all the evidence that will aid in your case, the sooner you can file the lawsuit. Some documents you should hang onto include:
- Medical bills
- A statement of your injuries
- A “lost wages” form from your employer
- Property damage estimates
- Photographs of the scene
Your Lawyer Can Assist You In Filing a Lawsuit On Time
There is a process that comes with filing a lawsuit after being injured in a car accident. Chances are you don’t know what to do first and who to turn to. The good news is your lawyer can assist you in getting everything done on time. He or she can help you collect evidence, complete documents and file the lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s imperative your case gets started right away. Contact a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Dekalb County, GA from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C., who can help ensure your lawsuit gets filed on time.