People who have been in a car accident should seek legal help as soon after the incident as possible. There are several reasons for this. One is that the more time passes after an accident, the harder it can be to find and interview witnesses, obtain evidence and gather important facts about the accident. Another reason for seeking legal help quickly is that there are deadlines (called “statutes of limitations”) for making accident claims. As a recent case shows, if you wait too long and make a claim past the statute of limitations, your claim will be dismissed, even if it’s otherwise valid.
Scott W.(not a real name) was hurt in a hit and run accident. He made a claim to his insurance company for uninsured motorist benefits (which provide coverage for hit and run accidents). The insurance company improperly denied Scott’s claim. But Scott waited too long after the insurance company denied his claim to file suit. Because the statute of limitations passed, a court dismissed the suit, and Scott could not recover any money for his injuries and losses.
This case is another reminder for accident victims to seek legal help promptly after an accident. There are many similar cases of accident victims whose claims were dismissed because they waited too long to file suit (including claims made just one day after the deadline). To help avoid problems and make sure you will be able to make a claim, call us promptly if you are in an accident.
Speak Your Mind