How Long After Car Accident Can You Claim Injury?

How long after a car accident you can claim injury damages depends on your state’s statute of limitations. In Arizona, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident or injury. It’s important to note this does not affect ongoing cases that began before the statutory time expired.  

The best time to call a personal injury attorney is immediately after an accident. Even if you aren’t sure about the date of your injury, contacting a Phoenix car accident attorney like Gage Mathers can be beneficial.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

Statutes of limitation are laws that limit how long after an incident someone can be sued or charged with a crime. The law exists to protect everyone, not to punish victims. Memories fade, CCTV footage is overwritten, and physical evidence is lost. The person being sued or charged with a crime may have no evidence available to defend themselves, putting them in serious legal danger. 

To make the system fair for everyone, statutes of limitations are routinely enacted for a variety of civil claims and criminal proceedings. Once that time limit has expired, they cannot be sued or charged. 

The statute of limitations in the State of Arizona for claiming injury and property damages is two years from the date of the incident. 

Misconceptions and Timelines

Many people misunderstand statutes of limitation and think they must win their case in this period or lose automatically. This is not true–once a claim has been filed, even if it is only one day before the statute expires, the case can take as long as necessary to reach a resolution. 

Because evidence is such a crucial factor, claims should begin as soon as possible. While, theoretically, you can claim a car accident without a police report, a report is a key piece of the puzzle in determining fault. Be sure to take plenty of photos of the accident scene and bring them with the police report to your attorney. Don’t worry about the cost–car accident lawyers offer free consultations and only get paid if you win. 

Going It Alone

Many people wonder how to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer. Filing a claim without a lawyer is financially risky. 

The insurance company wants to settle fast and for as little money as possible. Offering a settlement for the value of your vehicle, the hospital bills, and the ambulance ride might seem like a fair deal, but this may come with some nasty fine print. 

Buried in the settlement contract will likely be a release of liability. This can prevent someone from ever filing another claim against the insurance company related to this incident. If other damage or injuries are discovered later, filing suit might be impossible. 

In the unlikely event it is possible, proving it was related to the accident after the fact can be challenging. 

How Gage Mathers Can Help

The initial settlement amount offered by the insurance company for your vehicle damage and medical bills is likely far below the true amount you deserve. Attorneys will assist by examining medical records and finding additional evidence that can increase the settlement amount. Awards for pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical needs can be enormous. 

Gage Mathers has been successfully arguing car accident claims for more than fifty years. Trust us with your case, and we will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the financial justice you and your family deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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