If you’re asking how long after an accident you can claim injury compensation, it’s probably because you’re dealing with the stress of the claims process. After a car crash, things move quickly, and so should your car insurance claim.
To get compensation for a car accident, most insurance companies expect car accident victims to report their accident within a specific timeline. If you delay, they might question whether your injuries were actually caused by the accident.
Knowing when and how to file your car accident injury claim is as important as getting the medical help you need. Keep reading to learn how long after an accident you can claim Injury compensation.
Key Takeaways
- After a car accident, it’s important to file a car insurance claim within 24 to 72 hours of the accident date. If you wait too long, the insurance company may question the validity of your claim or deny it altogether.
- Under Louisiana’s statute of limitations, personal injury lawsuits, including car accidents, must be filed within two years of the injury date.
- Seeking immediate medical attention after your accident protects your health and helps document your injuries, which can strengthen your car insurance claim.
- Some injuries take time to show noticeable symptoms. In these cases, the car insurance company may argue that the injury wasn’t related to the accident.
How Long After an Accident Can You File an Insurance Claim?
While the exact deadline you have for filing car insurance claims depends on your insurance provider, most companies expect you to file an injury insurance claim within a few days of the accident date. Waiting too long may give the insurance company reason to question the legitimacy of your case. They might become suspicious about whether your injuries are connected to the accident. Sometimes, they may even deny your claim entirely due to the delay.
To avoid complications, try to report the accident to your insurance company within 24 to 72 hours. If that’s not possible, aim to file the accident report within a week of the accident. However, before filing your car insurance claim, speak with an injury lawyer to protect your rights. A personal injury attorney can ensure you don’t say anything to your insurance agent that could hurt your claim.
How Long After an Accident Can You File a Lawsuit?
The process for filing a lawsuit differs from filing an insurance claim. In Louisiana, the timeline for filing a personal injury lawsuit is governed by a legal rule called the statute of limitations. This rule requires that most personal injury claims, including car accidents, be filed within two years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline can affect your right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, such as cases involving minors, so it’s important to speak with a capable personal injury lawyer to determine how long you have to take legal action. Your car accident attorney will help you understand your legal options and avoid missing deadlines.
How Long After an Accident Can You Go Before Getting Diagnosed?
Waiting too long to seek medical attention after an auto accident makes it harder to prove that the crash caused your injuries. Insurance companies rely on medical records when reviewing claims, so any gap between the accident and your diagnosis may raise doubts. Even if you feel okay, seeing a doctor immediately is important.
Sometimes, people delay going to the doctor because they think the pain will leave on its own. Others don’t want to deal with the cost of a hospital visit. And sometimes, adrenaline from the accident masks symptoms, so you don’t feel hurt until later. But no matter the reason, waiting can hurt your personal injury case.
Plus, when you get diagnosed early, it helps the doctor document your injuries, the medical treatment you received, and their opinion on how the accident caused your injuries. This medical documentation can serve as evidence in your personal injury claim.
How Long After an Accident Can You Go Before Injuries Appear?
Not every injury shows up right away after a car accident. Some may take time to develop, sometimes hours, days, or weeks. This complicates the accident claim timeline because injuries aren’t always immediately obvious. Also, hidden, serious injuries like internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, or even mild brain trauma can take time to produce noticeable symptoms.
If you start feeling pain or discomfort some time after your accident, the auto insurance company may argue that the injury isn’t related to the accident. That’s why it’s important to understand that just because you feel okay after an accident doesn’t mean you are. If you wait too long and the injury appears later, your car insurance company or the other party’s insurance provider might try to deny responsibility. This situation can make it harder to claim injury compensation successfully.
File Your Car Insurance Claim With Help From a New Orleans Injury Attorney
When you’re dealing with pain, paperwork, and insurance companies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to claim compensation. Every step you take after a crash, from getting medical help to choosing an attorney, can affect the outcome of your case. To avoid common mistakes and protect your rights, speak with an experienced New Orleans injury attorney immediately.
At Cardone Law Firm, we offer free consultations and personal attention to help you understand your legal options. Whether you’re struggling with medical bills, lost wages, or just trying to get a fair settlement from your car insurance claim, our experienced lawyer is here to guide you through the process. Our lawyer will also work hard to pursue whatever compensation you may be entitled to.