Are You Entitled to Compensation for Your Car Accident?

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After any kind of traffic accident, you're likely wondering whether you're in a good position to make a claim for injuries, vehicle damage, and other losses. Figuring out whether or not you have a chance at a car accident settlement starts with understanding the kinds of issues that often make or break a car accident case.

Is the Lawsuit Filing Window Still Open?

If your car accident happened a few weeks or a few months ago, your right to go to court and file a lawsuit over the crash isn't going to be an issue. But if a year or more has passed since the crash, it's important to figure out how your state's statute of limitations applies to your potential claim. These laws set firm time limits on your right to file a lawsuit. In most states, the deadline is 2 years or 3 years from the date of the accident, but a few states follow a 1-year time limit. Miss the filing deadline, and your right to take your case to court is lost for good unless a rare exception applies to extend the time limit.

Most car accident cases settle out of court, often without a lawsuit ever being filed. But if you've lost the option of filing a lawsuit, and the other side (the at-fault driver's insurance company, for example) knows that, you've also lost almost all your negotiation leverage when it's time to talk settlement.

Learn more about how the statute of limitations works in personal injury cases.

Who Was at Fault for the Car Accident?

This is a crucial question, but getting a definitive answer is rarely easy. Insurance companies and attorneys typically look first at police reports related to the accident first and then at the statements of car accident witnesses. Accident scene photos, the nature and extent of vehicle damage, and even area surveillance video can all come into play too. When the fault picture can't be pieced together with much more than the conflicting accounts of the drivers involved in the crash, a car accident claim is still possible, but more challenging.

Get details on proving fault for a car accident.

Were Your Injuries and Other Losses Significant?

If you were involved in a car accident but walked away without any injuries, consider yourself lucky (while keeping in mind that car accident injuries don't always show up right away). If the insurance company comes to the table with a settlement offer that covers your vehicle damage and any inconvenience you've experienced, filing a lawsuit probably isn't worth your time and effort.

But if your car accident left you with serious injuries (like a head injury, a broken bone, or any injury that keeps you from going back to work), and you want reimbursement for medical expenses and pain and suffering, talk with an attorney about your legal options.

On the vehicle damage side, your car emerging from the accident with just a small dent or two paints a very different picture than if the vehicle was deemed a total loss. Significant vehicle damage often correlates with significant injuries and can lead an insurance company (or a lawyer) to take your claim more seriously.

Is There Insurance to Cover Your Claim?

No matter the specifics of your car accident, one of the most important factors in assessing the viability of a claim is whether there's an insurance policy in place that would cover your losses. Is the at-fault driver insured? Does that policy include enough coverage to pay for your medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and other harm resulting from the crash? If so, your case has a much better chance of success.

On the other hand, even if it's obvious that the other driver was at fault, collecting money from an uninsured driver is going to be an uphill battle.

Learn more about the role of insurance in a car accident case.

Do You Have an Attorney?

If your injuries are minor and the other side is offering a fair settlement, it's possible to handle a car accident claim yourself. But if your injuries require medical treatment fault for the accident is in dispute, it makes sense to discuss your situation with an attorney. That way you can ensure that your rights are protected and get the most out of your case.

Learn how an attorney can help with a car accident claim. When you're ready, you can connect with a lawyer directly from this page for free.

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