How Long After a Car Accident Can You File a Claim?

After you’ve been injured in a car accident, you are probably wondering when you should file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company. You need to file your claim as soon as possible for multiple reasons. This will help ensure you get the legal recovery necessary to cover your losses and injuries from the accident.

At Burger Law, we know that time is of the essence in car accident cases. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys can identify the relevant deadlines for your claim and immediately begin protecting your rights. Contact our office today for your free consultation.

What is the Time Frame for Filing an Insurance Claim Following a Car Accident?

One of the mistakes most car accident victims make is assuming they have the luxury of time to take legal action. They spend too much time solely focused on their injuries, and they forget to start upholding their legal rights.

Insurance companies might not have strict deadlines for filing claims. However, you should begin the claim process within a reasonable time after your crash. Evidence can fade and weaken your case, so have your attorney begin building your claim as soon as possible.

Further, you will have strict deadlines with the courts if the insurance claim does not lead to a sufficient settlement and you have to move your case forward. If you need to file a lawsuit to seek compensation, you must do so with the statute of limitations for the state where the collision took place, such as Missouri Revisor 516.120 or 735 ILCS 5/13-202.

What Happens If You Miss The Filing Deadline?

Missing the filing deadline under the statute of limitations means you lose the legal right to file a lawsuit. Civil courts strictly enforce these deadlines so that once the deadline passes, your case will likely be dismissed.

If you miss the deadline, you also lose leverage in negotiating settlements. Insurance companies and defendants are aware of the statute of limitations and may refuse to settle if they know you can no longer sue. However, your lawyer might identify some legal exceptions, such as:

• The statute of limitations begins when the injury is discovered rather than when the accident occurs.
• For minors or legally incapacitated individuals, the timeframe may be extended until they reach the age of majority or regain capacity.
• If the defendant engaged in fraudulent behavior that prevented you from filing the claim, the court might toll the statute of limitations.
• If the defendant is out of the country.

It’s advisable to consult with our St. Louis car accident lawyers to see if any exception applies to your case.

Contact a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Today

At Burger Law, we understand that the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, and filing a claim on time may not be your top priority. That’s why our team of car accident attorneys will take up your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. All you have to do is schedule your case evaluation with our team.

Don’t let time run out on your chance to seek justice for your injuries and losses. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Our car accident lawyers handle car crash injury cases all over Missouri and Illinois. For example, some of the Illinois cities we commonly work in include:

• Chicago
• Pinkneyville
• Belleville
• O’Fallon
• Granite City
• Edwardsville
• East St. Louis
• Carbondale

These are just a few places where our clients have asked for our counsel. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident anywhere, give us a call at (314) 500-HURT now.

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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