You've probably heard that most car accident cases settle well before any court trial. That's very true. Many even settle before a lawsuit is even filed. But that isn't always the case (no pun intended). If the parties can't agree on a key issue or two -- who was at fault for the car accident, the extent of the claimant's injuries, and so on -- then sometimes the only way to get things moving is to go to court and get the lawsuit process started.
Find your state on the list in the first section to get the specifics on the car accident statute of limitations, which is a state law that sets out the amount of time you have to go to court and get your lawsuit filed.
In the second section, you'll find tips on what to expect at each stage of a car accident lawsuit, from the "discovery" phase all the way to trial.
The timeline or statute of limitations for filing a vehicle accident lawsuit varies by state. Click on your state below to learn more about specific deadlines and laws.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Car Accident Lawsuits: Starting the Case
A look at court filings and other initial steps in a typical car accident lawsuit.
Do Most Car Accident Cases Settle?
If you decide to start a car accident lawsuit, chances are you’ll never get to court, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
When Will My Lawyer Tell Me What My Car Accident Case is Worth?
Early on, it can be difficult to determine what a car accident case is worth. Here's what your lawyer will want to learn when it comes to your claim.
How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take?
Unfortunately there's no way to predict exactly how long a specific car accident case will take. Learn about the steps of the lawsuit process, and factors that could make yours drag on.
How Do I File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
When you're unable to reach a fair settlement of your car accident claim, you can take the at-fault driver to court by filing a lawsuit.
Reasons to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
In most states a car accident lawsuit is an option if you get into an accident that was someone else's fault, but when is it a good idea to take your case to court?
When a Car Accident Case Goes to Trial
The vast majority of all car accident insurance claims are resolved before any lawsuit is filed.
Interrogatories in Car Accident Cases
Litigation -- meaning the filing of a lawsuit and the procedural steps that follow -- is a common result of a car accident claim.
Your Car Accident Deposition: 5 Things to Know
Your deposition can make or break your car accident case, so make sure you're prepared before you're sworn in.
Depositions in Car Accident Cases
Lawsuits seeking damages for losses resulting from a car accident
Collecting a Car Accident Settlement or Judgment
Reaching a settlement or getting a judgment in your favor is one thing; getting paid could be a different story.