How long after a car accident can I sue the person who hit my car?

Question

I was at a stop sign and a lady hit me from behind. My daughter and I went to the ER after the accident, I was treated and prescribed medication for my back. I was told I would feel the effects later. Now, I have been off from work because of my scavia nerve in my back and I would probably be terminated.

Stuart Nachbar · Answer

Statute of limitations in New Jersey is two years.

Steven Urban · Answer

You generally have two years to file suit.

Jeffrey Lapin · Answer

You can sue the at-fault person at any time after your car accident as long as the statute of limitations has not expired. If the statute of limitations does expire you, assuming the other side raises it as a defense, which almost always occurs, you will be prevented from collecting any money for your accident.  Generally, for accidents involving private citizens only (no government or political subdivision, such as a public school, or their employees involved) the statute of limitations is four (4) years from the date of the accident. For claims involved a government, political subdivision or one of their employees, the statute of limitations is shorter and there are other time requirements as well. In addition, there could be other things that shorten the statute of limitations, such as the death of the at-fault person.  In many cases, you would want to try to settle before filing a lawsuit.  I would suggest talked to a personal injury attorney about your case. Most accident attorneys offer a free consultation so it will not cost you anything to learn more about your rights and the statute of limitations.

James Kelaher · Answer

You have a 4 year statute of limitations in Florida for vehicular negligence.

Ross Scaccia · Answer

there is a time limit to bring an action in tort, and that action ranges from one year to two years, depending on the State in which the accident happened...

Mindy Bish · Answer

So long as the driver was not employed by a gov't entity or the car was not owned by a gov't entity you have 2 years.

Edmund Allen · Answer

In Washington State, the statute of limitations for a negligence claim like this is three years.

Jeffery Robinette · Answer

In West Virginia you have two years to file suit from the date of the incident.

Paul Whitfield · Answer

3 years if you have any injury at all, make sure to follow up with doctors. Insurance companies don't believe a word you say about injury unless you have a doctor  to confirm it.

Jerry Dunlap · Answer

In Oklahoma, the Statute of limitations prescribes a period of two (2) years from the date of the accident within which to file a lawsuit to recover for your injuries and property damage.

Kenneth Wincorn · Answer

You have up to two years to file. Continued treatment for the injuries is important to your eventual recovery so go to the therapy and treatments the Doctor recommends.

John Turck · Answer

You have three years to bring what is commonly referred to as a third-party lawsuit against the driver who hit you.  Note, however, that you also have the right to bring a first-party (sometimes called "personal injury protection", or "PIP, or "No-Fault") claim against your auto carrier for No-Fault benefits, i.e. medical bills, replacement services, lost wages/salary. A one-year statute of limitations applies to those claims, so you should be sure to consult with an attorney about both potential claims.

Mark West · Answer

The statute of limitations on most personal injury claims is 2 years.  This would include car accidents.  (So long as there was no government entity involved, i.e. a gov't employee driving a gov't vehicle which caused the accident)  You should contact an attorney if you are getting close to the statute so as to protect it from lapsing.

David Stoddard · Answer

You have up to three years after the accident to file suit.

Matthew Kaplan · Answer

In Oregon you have two years to file a lawsuit.

Frank Nunes · Answer

In California one must file a lawsuit against the responsible parties before the two year anniversary of the accident.

Brett Rosenthal · Answer

You have two years post accident to file suit, however, in advance of filing suit once you have completed your medical treatment get copies of your records and bills and submit a settlement demand to the carrier for the at fault party. If you have questions, contact me at the number below.

Willie Stephen Graves · Answer

The Texas statute of limitations on auto accidents gives you two years from the accident date to sue.  Good luck.

John D Duncan · Answer

In Georgia, there is a two year statute of limitations for bodily injury from the date of the accident.

Kevin Habberfield · Answer

Typically 3 years from the date of negligence but, you never ever want to wait a second longer than you have to.

Cary Smalley · Answer

You have two years after the accident to file suit in Kansas.

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