Posted by Jason L. Call |
If you have been involved in a car accident in Missouri, there are several steps you can take early in the process to make sure your rights are protected and to provide you with leverage moving forward. First and foremost, you should seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered. Secondly, you should report the accident to your automobile insurance carrier, regardless of whether or not you were the at-fault driver. Then, you should consult an experienced and knowledgeable team of Jefferson City and Missouri Car Accident Attorneys.
Just like every other state, the laws in Missouri put a time limit on when you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver following a car accident. This legal concept is known as a “statute of limitations.” If you fail to file a lawsuit before this deadline, you will not be able to receive money for your injuries. Here, we answer the question: how long after a car accident can you claim injury?
The Missouri Statute of Limitations
If you incur an injury, either as a driver, cyclist, pedestrian, passenger, or motorcycle rider, you have five (5) years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Should the accident result in the death of your spouse, child, parent, or other close relative, you may be permitted to bring a “wrongful death claim” against the person who caused the death. The statute of limitations to bring a wrongful death lawsuit in the state of Missouri is three (3) years from the date of the person’s death.
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
The statute of limitations for injuries suffered in a car accident or for a wrongful death claim are “hard deadlines.” In the event you fail to file a lawsuit prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations, you will not be able to seek compensation for your injuries from the at fault party or for the injuries and damages inflicted because of the death of your spouse, child, parent, or other relative.
Consult a Jefferson City and Missouri Car Accident Attorney Today
Oftentimes, persons who were involved in a car accident do not suffer the effects of the injuries they sustained for weeks, months, or even years after the accident. Specifically, the effects of head injuries and brain related trauma can take years to fully develop and materialize. As you begin to pick up the pieces following a car accident, keep these deadlines in mind. The answer to how long after a car accident can you claim injury is either three (3) or five (5) years, depending on the nature of the claim. However, we advise our clients to consult an injury lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. Unsure whether you have a viable personal injury or wrongful death claim? Contact us online or call our office today to discuss your case with our team of experienced Jefferson City and Missouri Car Accident Attorneys.