People who are injured in car accidents caused by another person’s negligence may be able to recover damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. But, the state of Colorado only gives victims a certain amount of time to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and it varies depending on whether the person was injured or killed in the accident.
Personal Injury Claims
Negligence plays a role in many personal injury cases, including traffic accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites. In Colorado, people who have been injured by another person’s negligence typically have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. The only exception to this rule is if you were injured by another person’s negligence in a car accident. In this case, you will have three years to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
It’s important to note that this means anyone who is involved in a car accident has the right to file a personal injury claim for three years after the date of the accident. This can include people who were not inside a car at the time of the accident, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. As long as you were injured by another person’s negligence in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you will have three years to file your claim.
Wrongful Death Claims
Unfortunately, some people suffer fatal injuries in car accidents caused by negligent drivers. The families of these victims have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party, but the statute of limitations is different for this type of lawsuit. Although injured victims have three years to file a personal injury claim after a car accident, families of the deceased only have two years to file a wrongful death claim. The two-year time period begins the day that the person passes away, which may or may not be the same date that the accident took place.
Two or three years may seem like a significant amount of time, but it can go by fairly quickly when you are recovering from injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one. That’s why it’s recommended that you get in touch with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a car accident.
Have you been injured in a car accident? Time may be running out to file a personal injury clam against the negligent party. Don’t wait any longer—contact Reisch Law Firm today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
