While it is not necessary that you file a claim immediately if you have been in a car accident that you believe to be another person’s fault, there are some limits on how long you can wait. Not filing a claim immediately can sometimes be a good idea, especially if the full extent of your injuries will take some time to appear. In general, you have three years from the time of the accident to file a claim if you are injured in a car accident in Colorado. In most cases, it is advisable to file a claim as early as possible after the accident. If you let a lot of time pass, witnesses may forget what they saw, evidence may disappear, and even your own memory of the circumstances may get fuzzy. Filing a claim as soon as possible after a car accident may help to ensure that the facts are presented as accurately as possible. It may seem daunting to start a car accident liability claim while you are trying to recover from the injuries you sustained, but our skilled car accident attorneys are here to take the burden off of you and help you to get the compensation you deserve.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Colorado?
While the three-year clock generally starts ticking at the time of the accident, it is possible that you were not aware of your injuries until later. Common car accident injuries such as damage to the spinal cord, traumatic brain injury, and internal bleeding often take some time to cause recognizable symptoms. If you can prove to the court that you did not discover your injuries until a time after the accident occurred, you may have three years from the date of your discovery to file your claim. If, however, your injuries were identified at the time of the accident, the three-year countdown will begin with the accident.
Does My Case Have to Be Completed Within the Three-Year Window?
In Colorado, the requirement is simply that you begin your case or make your claim before the three-year limit expires. You may have little or no control over how fast your case is resolved, so you are not held responsible for when the case is completed. As long as you file the claim before the three years are up, you are within the statute of limitations.
How Can an Attorney Help with My Car Accident Case?
The last thing you need while you are recovering from the injuries you sustained in a car accident is the hassle of trying to gather the evidence you need to prove that the accident was someone else’s fault. An experienced car accident attorney from Greer Law Group can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and implement Colorado law to get you the compensation you need and deserve while leaving you free to rest and heal.