Settling Your Personal Injury Claim FAQ

Questions:

• I've been hurt in an accident and I want to file a claim for my injuries. What's the first thing I should do?
• How soon do I need to notify people about my intention to file a claim for my accident injuries?
• What is the deadline for filing an accident injury claim against a government entity?
• Is there a deadline for filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for my injuries?

Answer:

Is there a deadline for filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for my injuries?

If you have no success reaching a settlement with an insurance company, you may be forced to consider bringing a lawsuit in small claims or other court. But you must be aware of the laws, called "statutes of limitations," that limit the time in which you have to file. If you miss your state's deadline, you will lose your right to recover compensation in court, and will be forced to abandon your claim altogether.

Check your state's laws to find the time limit that applies to your case. You can find a list of the statutes of limitations for all 50 states in the article Statutes of Limitations: Is It Too Late to Sue?