When to Sue for a Car Accident – Know These Facts

Anyone who has experienced a car accident knows there is plenty to do in its aftermath. From taking care of yourself to filling out stacks of insurance paperwork, getting your life back to normal can be a challenge. In some instances, you may even need to immediately sue for a car accident.

When to Sue for a Car Accident

Though you should take time to heal, there are certain situations where you might need to quickly sue for a car accident. Here are a few examples:

• In California, the statute of limitations on car accidents is two years. After that, you cannot bring the case to court. Two years may sound like a long time, but it does not include the time and planning you and an attorney need to start your case.
• Knowing when to sue for a car accident is crucial. If a government vehicle was involved, your timeline is even shorter. In this situation, the statute of limitations is six months. That makes the deadline tight, and you must rapidly plan and collect the evidence needed for a lawsuit. These cases are much more complex, and you and your attorney will likely need to hurry.
• After a fender bender, crucial evidence can get lost. If there was not a fatality, your incident will likely not be a top priority for the municipality. Beginning a lawsuit immediately will ensure your claim gets the attention it deserves.
• If there is even a small chance your insurance company will not fully compensate you for medical bills or lost wages, consult with an attorney as soon as possible. If you did not research your insurance company before engaging it, now is the time. Look at online reviews and information from outside sources to discover how reliably the company provides full compensation.
• If drugs or alcohol contributed to your car accident, authorities will leverage criminal charges against the intoxicated driver. Suing quickly after the incident is a good idea in these situations; the state may not hold the driver criminally negligent, and you may not have time to collect any evidence of intoxication.

Find a Team with Experience

Though building a case may be the last thing on your mind as you recover, proper compensation may be the key to your long-term recovery. Consult an attorney to determine what steps you should take after an accident, especially in situations where you must quickly respond.