How Long do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim after a Car Accident in Indiana?

February 13, 2024

Most of us are in cars and on the road so often that we seldom think about it. We’re focused on getting from our houses to our destinations without much disruption. Few of us anticipate that we will get involved in a car accident on the way to our destination.

Even if you never end up in an accident, it’s always a good idea to make a plan and be prepared if one should happen. In fact, you might be surprised to learn how much information is involved with personal injury law here in the state of Indiana.

For example: do you know how long you have to file a personal injury claim if you were injured in a car accident?

We sincerely hope you never need our help. But if you sustain injuries from a crash, it’s wise to have all this information. Education can go a very long way in your recovery process.

In this article, we will give you some basics about Indiana personal injury law and let you know exactly how long you have to file a claim.

If you were involved in a car accident in Indiana and need excellent representation, we would be happy to speak with you. Day or night, you can easily get in touch with us by sending us a message online, chatting with us, or even by calling 317-472-3333 if you prefer. The good news is that we can start your case in under an hour too.

Time is of the essence when dealing with a personal injury claim in Indiana. Let our team of experienced Indiana car accident lawyers help.

Car accident claims have strict deadlines

No two car accidents are alike. From minor fender benders to multi-car pileups, absolutely anything can happen out on the open road. It’s easy to sustain serious injuries in car accidents, which means you could need immediate medical treatment.

Sometimes injuries can be long-lasting and cause life-altering problems for Hoosiers and their families. These types of injuries cause people to pursue personal injury claims so they can recover damages that the other party responsible for the crash caused.

Many Hoosiers make the mistake of believing they have unlimited time to file a claim after getting involved in a car accident. Sadly, this just is not true. There are strict limits in place dictating exactly how long you have to file a claim after your accident. This time period is known as the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims for most car accidents in Indiana is two years. The time frame begins with the day of the accident. In other words, once the accident starts, the clock has already started ticking.

If you choose not to take action during this two-year time period, you will not be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the other party involved in the accident. Even if the other party was very clearly responsible for your injuries and you were blameless, you cannot pursue a personal injury claim if the statute of limitations has expired.

This is generally the rule; however, some exceptions do exist.

Some exemptions to the rule include:

· If a person involved in the accident dies from their injuries within the initial two-year window, their loved ones may pursue a wrongful death claim up to 18 months (about 1 and a half years) after the person’s death

· If a minor has been injured in an accident, they have two years to file a claim starting on their 18th birthday

Keeping up with the rules and deadlines can prove to be exhausting. In fact, this is precisely why many Hoosiers choose to hire a car accident lawyer to help manage their case.

You aren’t legally required to hire a lawyer if you want to pursue a car accident claim. But trust us when we say it does help.

Without an experienced lawyer on your side, you may struggle to meet deadlines or gather adequate evidence to prove that you deserve compensation for your injuries.

Working with the right attorney guarantees that your claim will be filed on time and goes against the right parties.

Trust our team to lend a hand

Surviving a car accident can absolutely change your life. But you can rest easy knowing our team of experienced Indiana car accident lawyers are on your side.

We would love to take some time to talk to you about your case and explore your options. The clock starts ticking as soon as the accident takes place, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Our lawyers are well aware of the statute of limitations and will help you meet all the deadlines necessary to file your claim.

Hensley Legal Group cares about you and your case. Please feel free to reach out and ask if you have any questions at all.