How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Missouri?

Do you know how long you have to file a personal injury claim? Or when the best time is to file one? Is it better to do it immediately after your accident or to wait until you know how significantly your injuries have affected your life?

These are just the beginning of the string of questions that are likely to creep into your mind after being injured due to someone else’s negligence. Personal injury cases, even those that seem straightforward, are often complicated. In order to have the best possible chance at the best outcome in your injury case, it is important that you speak to a reputable personal injury law firm as soon as possible. Burger Law is here to help and ready to fight for your rights. Speak to us today by calling 314-542-2222 now.

After you or a family member has been in an accident, the first priority should always be your health. You should receive whatever emergency medical care is necessary at the time of the incident and follow up with the proper medical attention afterward to evaluate your condition. This is true even if you do not feel that your injuries are severe or do not require treatment. It is important to your recovery and your personal injury claim that you receive thorough and prompt medical care. Some conditions and injuries do not manifest right away or may appear less significant than they ultimately are.

When Should I File My Claim?

If you are unfamiliar with personal injury claims, as the majority of victims are, your instinct may tell you to wait to file your claim. If you are seriously injured and are in the middle of receiving treatment, isn’t it too early to tell just how injured you are and how much these injuries will affect your life?

Yes, it does take time to understand the full extent of the damages your accident has caused you. However, you should not wait to file your claim because of this. There are deadlines to filing a personal injury claim and if you do not file in time, you will not have a chance to recover any damages at all. It takes time to understand the full sum of both the economic and non-economic damages you have sustained due to the accident, but that will be addressed over time. Personal injury cases often take several months to settle, and your experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you, shape the course of your case, and present your case to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.

When you or your family member is injured in a car accident, slip and fall, work accident, or another type of incident another person caused, you should file your personal injury claim as soon as possible. Once you are physically safe, you should contact a personal injury lawyer at Burger Law right away to begin your case and ensure the best possible recovery.

Time Limit for Filing a Claim

It is important that you file your personal injury claim as soon as possible because there are laws, known as statutes of limitations, in each state’s laws that establish a deadline for a victim to file a personal injury claim. If you wait until after that statute of limitations in your state has expired, you will not be allowed a chance to recover the damages from your accident.

Hiring a skilled personal injury attorney right away will help you make sure you file your claim correctly and within the time frame. Each state has a different policy, but the statute generally states that a victim has so many years from the date of the accident to file a claim. In Missouri, the statute of limitations is five years for a personal injury case, and the Illinois statute is two years.

There are some exceptions to state statutes. For example, in cases where the victim is a minor child, the time limit typically does not begin until the victim reaches the age of 18. There are also different rules in cases where the victim becomes disabled or incapacitated. On the other hand, there is a shorter time frame for filing a claim against a government agency or government employee.

While you should generally file your claim as soon as possible, there may be exceptions in your case. The best thing you can do to make sure you are able to obtain the compensation you deserve after suffering injuries in a personal injury case is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area right away. They will be able to understand the nuances of your case and advise you on the best course of action.

Personal Injury Lawyers Near Me | Burger Law

Burger Law has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims and their families. We know the ploys defendants and their insurance companies use to try to get out of paying what they should. When you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, we fight to make sure you get the compensation the law says you are owed. Speak to one of our knowledgeable attorneys today by calling us at 314-542-2222 or sending us a message here.

Related article: What Is the Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Lawsuits in Missouri?

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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