Resourceful Service For A Variety Of Legal Issues

After a car accident, how long do you have to collect damages?

On Behalf of | Dec 31, 2020 | Personal Injury |

Car accidents are often complicated, costly ordeals. If you sustained injuries in one, you may find yourself facing mounting medical bills. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might have lost wages and experienced pain and suffering as well. You likely thought your insurance claim would cover these expenses and losses. Yet, it might have been partially or completely denied. If you need to fight for fair compensation for your injuries, it is important to know your window for doing so in Connecticut.

Connecticut’s statute of limitations for personal injury actions

Because Connecticut has fault-based insurance laws, any insurance claim you make after a car accident will go through the responsible motorist’s insurance company. These laws also allow you to file a lawsuit against the responsible motorist if circumstances warrant it. Keep in mind, though, that you must proceed with your lawsuit within the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury actions. Under it, you have two years from the date you sustained or discovered your injuries to move forward with one. If you file your lawsuit outside the statute of limitations, the court will likely dismiss it.

There are certain situations where the statute of limitations in your case could toll. This means that it suspends until a later date, which will give you more time to file your lawsuit. To determine if tolling will affect your case, you will want to consult your attorney.

Connecticut’s statute of limitations for product liability actions

The injuries you sustained in your car accident might have stemmed, in part or in full, from defects in your vehicle or its parts. In this case, you will want to file a product liability lawsuit against the appropriate party. This may be your vehicle’s manufacturer, or it may be the defective part’s manufacturer. Regardless, Connecticut’s statute of limitations for product liability cases is three years from the date you sustained or discovered your injuries.

After sustaining injuries in a car accident, you will want to make sure that the compensation you receive reflects your needs. If you have concerns about receiving an appropriate settlement, a personal injury attorney can help you fight for one.