People hurt in car accidents are entitled by Arizona law to pursue financial recovery for the resulting injuries, vehicle damage, and other financial and personal losses. However, the timeframe in which to do so is not unlimited. The law also establishes strict deadlines for filing a car accident lawsuit, and missing them risks not getting the compensation you deserve. An experienced Arizona car crash attorney can review the details of your case and help you meet the applicable statutory deadline, but it’s important to act quickly to protect yourself.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
The Arizona statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against an at-fault party. If you don’t initiate legal action within that two-year window, you may lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. This deadline applies to most personal injury and property damage claims related to motor vehicle accidents, including those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Two-Year Deadline?
While the two-year statute of limitations applies to most car accident cases in Arizona, certain situations can change when the clock starts running or how much time a person has to file a lawsuit. These exceptions are limited and highly fact-specific, but they can make a meaningful difference in the timeline and how you and your attorney approach your case:
- Injuries to Minors – If the injured person is under 18 at the time of the accident, the court will typically pause the clock so the two-year period doesn’t begin until the minor turns 18. This extends the time available to file a claim.
- Accidents Involving Government Vehicles – When a car accident involves a government-owned vehicle or a government employee acting within the scope of their job, an injured person must file a notice of claim within 180 days.
- Delayed Discovery of the Injury – In rare situations, injuries from a car accident may not be immediately apparent. If an injury could not reasonably have been discovered right away, the two-year filing deadline may begin when the injury is discovered rather than on the accident date itself.
Why You Should Act Quickly to Secure Legal Representation
Waiting to initiate legal action after a car accident can have serious consequences. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible after the crash can help preserve your right to file a lawsuit within Arizona’s statutory deadline. If you wait too long, you may lose your chance to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Early action also improves your ability to gather strong evidence. Since witnesses’ memories can fade, physical evidence can disappear, and surveillance footage can be erased, initiating an investigation right away makes it easier to preserve this critical evidence to support your claim. Additionally, your attorney can more easily manage communications with insurance companies and reduce the risk of missteps that could harm your claim if they’re able to take charge of this process from the outset.
Taking quick action does not mean rushing into a lawsuit – but it does position you to make informed decisions with the benefit of timely and accurate information. It also gives your legal team more time to build the strongest case possible.
Contact an Arizona Car Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Case
If you suffered injuries in a car accident someone else caused, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and other losses – but you need to act quickly to safeguard your rights. An experienced and knowledgeable Arizona car collision attorney can help you understand your legal options and prepare a claim on your behalf while you concentrate on healing.
Gill Law Firm is a boutique personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the West Valley region and statewide. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for Arizona’s injured – let us guide you through the process of pursuing the justice you deserve. Contact us right away to get started with a free consultation, and pay nothing unless we win your case.