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Home > Accident Attorney > HOW LONG DO I WAIT TO FILE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM AFTER MY CAR ACCIDENT?

Written by Jelena Tiemann and Peter B. Tiemann

Last Updated : January 14, 2022
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Posted on Thursday, April 30th, 2020 at 10:22 pm    

Your immediate priority after a car accident is your health. You need to seek medical treatment to diagnose your injuries and develop a treatment plan that gives you the best chance of recovery. Depending on the severity of your injuries, your recovery could take a few weeks or a few months. If you need surgery and therapy, you could receive treatment for many months.

At some time, you may begin to think about filing a personal injury claim. However, you do not want to wait too long to contact a Sacramento car accident lawyer. There are deadlines to file a personal injury claim. Missing those deadlines could cause you to lose your right to file a legal action seeking compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When you are injured in a car accident in California, you have just two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are a few exceptions to this deadline, but very few. It is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.

Some of the situations that could shorten or lengthen the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident claim include, but are not limited to:

  • One of the parties lives in another state;
  • The accident involved a government agency or employee;
  • A victim is under the age of 18 at the time of the accident;
  • The cause of the injuries was not determined until much later after the accident;
  • The accident victim is incapacitated; or,
  • The accident involved a wrongful death.

To determine the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, contact an attorney. An experienced attorney reviews all factors involved in the accident and determines the applicable laws that set the deadline to file claims.

Don’t Wait to Contact an Attorney Regarding Your Injury Claim

Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your car accident is important for several reasons. First, you don’t want to miss the deadline to file a personal injury claim. However, there are other benefits of hiring an attorney to handle your accident claim.

The benefits of hiring an attorney include:

  • Investigates the accident, including taking witness statements, gathering evidence, and determining fault;
  • Gathers documents and evidence prove the severity of your injuries;
  • Works with you to document your financial losses and other damages to maximize compensation for an injury claim;
  • Consults with experts, when necessary, to establish the cause of the crash and gather evidence proving the other driver caused the crash;
  • Work with medical experts and financial experts to calculating the maximum value of future damages, including loss of income and ongoing medical care;
  • Handles filing the insurance claim and negotiating with the insurance provider for settlement; and,
  • Prepares and files a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary, to protect your legal rights.

Additionally, having an attorney on your side gives you a legal team to provide guidance and support as you fight for fair compensation after a car accident.

Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney For a Free Case Review

After being injured in a car accident, you need a trusted legal advocate to help you protect your best interests. Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our Sacramento car accident lawyers.

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Elizabeth Ochoa Testimonial
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I chose Tiemann Law Firm to help me after a car accident I was involved in. Throughout the entire process, Moe made sure to keep me updated, he always responded quickly whenever  I had questions about anything. My case won thanks to this law firm and its dedication. My experience with Tiemann Law Firm was amazing! 10/10 recommended.

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I have nothing but great things to say about this firm. They have been extremely helpful and professional when dealing with my case. Anytime I needed anything or wanted to be updated they responded immediately. They made me feel like they cared. Highly recommend them!

Michael T. Testimonial
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I sat down and met with Jelena Tiemann about my vehicle accident.I presented all of my documentation to her in which she gave me her assessment.Although the Tiemann Law Firm wont be representing me because my settlement offer was pretty good she was very clear,forward and professional about what she felt could and couldn't be done.I recommend this law firm to anyone who needs a helping hand at fighting a case where you don't have to worry about the outcome not going in your favor. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.

Herb T. Testimonial
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The Tiemanns were referred to me by a friend and I am exceptionally happy with the service I received. I had never been in an accident before. I had no idea what to do. Jelena verbally explained how everything would work to me, and she and Peter handled everything. I didn't have to lift a finger once. They went above and beyond for me and I am extremely grateful. I pray I won't ever need this type of assistance again, but I will definitely be referring them to friends and family.

Jennifer T. Testimonial
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I highly recommend The Tiemann Law Firm! I had never before been in a situation where I sustained injury and had to seek legal representation. I was nervous, traumatized, and had no idea what to expect. Jelena, Peter, and their staff walked me through each step of the process. They explained everything in detail. They patiently answered all my questions, responded quickly to every email, text message, phone call, etc. I felt totally prepared for each new phase of the legal process. Furthermore, they were fearless in their defense of me. In certain situations, when I felt attacked or scared my attorney protected me like I was family. Their diligence, honesty, integrity, and compassion provided a true sense of healing and closure for my family and I. The Tiemann Law Firm accomplished more for me than I ever thought possible and I am forever grateful.