Serious car accidents tend to take you by surprise. If you sustained serious injuries in the incident, you are likely suffering physically and reeling emotionally. As you try to pick up the pieces, how long you have to file an injury claim may be the last thing on your mind.
When you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you have limited time to file a claim if you wish to recover damages. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to win your case.
Before initiating an auto accident injury claim, you need to report the collision. Several different reports will need to be made.
Note the following steps you may need to take:
By making these reports, you lay the groundwork for filing your actual personal injury claim after the accident.
Addressing your injuries and getting prompt medical attention is critical to making a full recovery after a car accident. Getting your car repaired so that you can get back into your daily routine is also important. However, the State of Arkansas has laws in place, setting limits on the amount of time you legally have to file a personal injury claim after a collision.
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. This may seem like plenty of time, but it is never beneficial to procrastinate in such situations. If you fail to file your injury claim within the allotted time, you lose your lawful right to compensation for your physical pain and suffering.
Statutes of limitations are in place to preserve evidence and protect defendants from frivolous litigation years after an incident takes place.
In a motor vehicle accident claim, multiple factors can affect the statute of limitations. Depending on the circumstances of your car accident and who was involved, you may have more or less time to legally file an injury claim.
Factors that may impact how long you have to file a valid claim or car accident lawsuit include:
The statute of limitations and all the rules that apply can be confusing. It is advantageous to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer before taking legal action. He or she can thoroughly prepare you for the claim process and ensure that you do not miss deadlines as you pursue financial compensation against the negligent parties.
In Arkansas, you have 3 years from the date of the accident during which you can file your car accident claim and pursue restitution for your injuries. In most cases, it is in your best interest to file your claim sooner rather than later.
Your claim is generally stronger when filed sooner – for several reasons:
It is understandable that some pressing matters may need to be taken care of before you are in the physical and emotional place to file your injury claim. Nevertheless, it is usually best to get the ball rolling as soon as possible in order to successfully recover compensation for your injuries.
Arkansas is a modified comparative negligence state, so even if you share some degree of responsibility for the traffic accident, you may still be entitled to file an insurance claim and receive a reduced amount of compensation from the other driver.
Under the comparative fault rule, percentages of liability are assigned to each driver who contributed to the crash. As long as you are found to be 49 percent or less at fault for the accident, you can pursue damages from the other parties.
A lawyer can help you to establish the facts of your case and walk you through your legal options in an effort to successfully resolve your claim.
When a collision involves injuries, it can be particularly devastating. Sadly, such car accidents are all too common. Suffering catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle collision can negatively impact your quality of life for the foreseeable future.
Injuries often included in car accident claims include:
It is vital to seek a medical evaluation and treatment as soon as possible after a car accident injury. Your long-term prognosis may depend, in part, on how quickly your injuries were addressed. Further, if you wish to seek financial compensation for your claimed losses, your medical records will provide valuable evidence of the real extent of your injuries.
A serious car wreck can be absolutely life-altering. The physical and emotional tolls of an incident can stay with you long after a car accident. When preparing to file your car accident claim, the goal is to seek enough compensation to make your life whole again.
It takes time to discover and count up all the damages to which you may be entitled, which may include:
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you evaluate the full extent of your losses and assign a monetary value to your claim – before time runs out. Thus, you will be able to pursue enough compensation to meet your current needs and ensure your future quality of life.
A car accident lawyer can work to meet all the deadlines while also protecting your rights with your best interests in mind. The more serious your injuries are, the higher your losses could be – so you don’t want to lose out on your compensation by wasting precious time.
A practiced car accident attorney can advocate for your rights with the insurance company or in a trial, if necessary. Insurance adjusters are notoriously challenging to work with, possibly making the negotiation process drag on. Thus, uncooperative insurance providers can further complicate an already stressful situation.
Along with assessing your losses, a lawyer can handle all the necessary paperwork for your car insurance claim and interact with the insurance company on your behalf. This ensures that your case can be filed and settled on time.
A car accident lawyer may assist you by:
Personal injury claims, not to mention the claims process itself, can be complex and time-consuming. Make things easier for yourself by letting a car accident attorney build a case that supports your claim to your accident-related expenses and losses.
Serious auto accidents can turn your life upside down. You may be dealing with difficult medical treatment, mounting medical bills, and significant vehicle damage – among other things.
The idea of filing a claim or pursuing a lawsuit may seem like too big of a burden to bear at this time. Trying to navigate the insurance and legal system can be a tiring and frustrating experience. But you are not alone when the car accident lawyers of Minton Law Firm help you through every step of the process.
As a former insurance adjuster himself, Attorney Justin Minton knows the intricacies of the insurance industry. In difficult insurance negotiations, Justin is especially equipped to handle any challenges that may come up, and he has made sure his legal team members are also ready to handle the complications.
Justin Minton’s legal team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of Arkansas car accident injury victims. At Minton Law Firm, we believe that every accident victim deserves a voice.
If you or a loved one has sustained significant injuries due to another driver’s negligence, time is of the essence. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can put our legal resources to work on your behalf.
Call us today at 855-Xadjuster or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. A member of our legal team is standing by to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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