Timelines To Consider When Seeking Compensation After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a personal injury situation, whether it’s a dog bite incident, premises liability consideration, or a car accident, you may need to act within a certain timeline to protect your chances of getting compensation for your injuries and losses. After a car accident, you may need to pay attention to several deadlines.
When Should You Report an Accident to Law Enforcement?
Pennsylvania law mandates car accident reporting in cases where there are injuries or death at the scene or the vehicles are so damaged that at least one driver can’t drive away safely. In such cases, the legal requirement is that drivers report the accident within five days.
However, when it comes to questions of compensation following a car accident, it’s advisable to report the accident right away. Call 911 at the scene if there are injuries that require treatment, and report the accident to a non-emergency line if you don’t feel you need immediate medical attention. The police officer responding to the scene will file a police report, which may be helpful documentation in a compensation case if you need to demonstrate another driver was at fault for your injuries.
Deadlines for Reporting Accidents to Insurance Companies
Even if you believe another driver is at fault in your accident, you may need to file the incident with your insurance company. The timeline for filing with your insurance company depends on the requirements of your policy. It can be a good idea to review your insurance policy paperwork in depth following any type of car accident so you understand your coverage, how to make any claim, and what type of timeline you might deal with.
Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims
The statute of limitations governs how long you have to file a lawsuit in a personal injury matter. In most cases in Pennsylvania, including those involving car accidents, the statute of limitations is two years. If you don’t file a personal injury claim within that time period, your case becomes time-barred, which means it can be dismissed upon a motion from the defendant.
The clock on the statute of limitations countdown usually begins on the date of the accident. Some exceptions do apply. For example, when a minor is injured in a car accident, the statute of limitations clock doesn’t begin counting down until that person turns 18. That means they would have until the age of 20 to file a claim. However, if it’s been years since the car accident occurred, the individual may face some challenges in seeking compensation related to how old evidence and witness testimony are at that point.
If you aren’t sure whether your case is beyond the statute of limitations, consider consulting with personal injury attorneys to find out.
Other Timelines Related to Personal Injury Cases
Once you file a claim or make the decision to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit, you should continue to be aware of potential deadlines. When dealing with an insurance company, for example, you may need to respond to requests for additional information in a timely manner to avoid holding up your claim. In a personal injury lawsuit, you may need to respond to motions and requests from the defendant in a timely manner to avoid issues in court. Personal injury attorneys can work on your behalf to ensure that your case is managed in a timely manner and that all legal documents and other requirements are handled by any deadlines.
Why You Should Talk to Personal Injury Attorneys as Soon as Possible
Experienced personal injury attorneys can help you understand your options for seeking compensation following a car accident. They can also work on your behalf to ensure actions are taken in a timely manner. If you believe that another driver is at fault in an accident that caused your injuries, you have limited time within which to act. Consulting with a personal injury team as soon as possible ensures you have ample time to consider all your options and make a decision about your case that is in your best interest.
When you reach out to personal injury attorneys, they can work to assess your losses and the events of the accident. Car accident attorneys often take steps such as ordering police accident reports, deposing witnesses to the accident, ordering copies of your medical records, and hiring medical and accident reconstruction experts. Your attorney may do some of this work before filing an official lawsuit, or they might file a lawsuit right away if you are near the statute of limitations and they want to protect your right to seek compensation through the court.
If you have been involved in an accident, are dealing with injuries and losses, and want to ensure the best chances of getting the compensation you deserve, contact Abramson & Denenberg, P.C., today by calling 215-398-7066. While it’s best to contact a personal injury team as soon as possible when you’ve been involved in an accident to ensure a proactive approach to your claim, we may still be able to help as long as the statute of limitations has not passed on your claim.