In Colorado, you generally have three years from the date of a car crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you did not discover your injuries until later, the three years may run from when you discovered them. You do not have to finish your case in that time; you only have to start it.
While it is not necessary that you file a claim immediately if you have been in a car crash 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 crash to file a claim if you are injured in a car crash in Colorado. In most cases, it is advisable to file a claim as early as possible after the crash. 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 crash may help to ensure that the facts are presented as accurately as possible. It may seem daunting to start a car crash liability claim while you are trying to recover from the injuries you sustained, but our skilled car crash attorneys are here to take the burden off of you and help you get fair compensation.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations?
While the three-year clock generally starts ticking at the time of the crash, it is possible that you were not aware of your injuries until later. Common car crash 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 crash 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 crash, the three-year countdown will begin with the crash.
Claims involving government vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, follow separate rules. See Ambulance and Fire Truck Crashes in Colorado.
Does the Case Have to Be Resolved Before the Deadline?
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.
Insurer Notice vs. Filing a Lawsuit
Telling an insurance company about a crash, filing a lawsuit in court and finishing a case are three different steps. Your insurance policy may require you to report a crash promptly, and that duty is separate from the deadline for filing a lawsuit.
How Can an Attorney Help With My Car Crash Case?
The last thing you need while you are recovering from the injuries you sustained in a car crash is the hassle of trying to gather the evidence you need to prove that the crash was someone else’s fault. A car crash attorney from Greer Law Group can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and implement Colorado law to get you the compensation you need while leaving you free to rest and heal.
Related Reading
- What to Do After a Car Crash in Colorado: 9 Steps
- Ambulance and Fire Truck Crashes in Colorado
- What Affects the Value of a Colorado Car Crash Claim?
Talk to Greer Law Group Before the Deadline
If you were seriously or permanently injured in a Colorado car crash, don’t wait until the deadline is close. Contact Greer Law Group online or call 303-331-6460.
