After getting hurt in a car accident, you deserve justice. You deserve fair compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate your personal injury claim alone.
Doctors are focused on your injury and your health. Insurance companies are focused on saving money. But with the right car accident lawyer, you get someone who is on your side.
Let’s examine how much time you have to submit a claim according to Georgia’s statute of limitations.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This is the normal time limit. But there are several factors that can make it faster or slower.
How the Accident Happened and Who’s to Blame
The cause of the accident and the fault of the other driver are important for your proving case. You might need to file your case sooner or later if the accident was caused by a drunk driver or another form of negligence. If the police are still investigating the accident, the two-year time limit may be longer while the criminal case is going on, or until the criminal charges are done. This means you might have more time to sue, depending on your case’s specific details. Talking to a personal injury lawyer can help you find out if your case is an exception.
Where the Accident Happened and Where You Live
The place of the accident and the place where you live are important for your case. They can affect where you can file your case and how long you have to do that.
Georgia’s two-year time limit is shorter than some other states, where you have more time to sue. For example, in Tennessee, you only have 1 year from the date of the accident. But in South Carolina, you typically have 3 years. If a car accident kills someone, their family can sue for wrongful death, which also has a two-year time limit.
Key Deadlines in Georgia
Georgia courts are usually strict about the time limits for filing a lawsuit after an accident, and the law can be very confusing. Different types of accidents and damages have different deadlines.In Georgia, for example, some of the deadlines are:
- City or County Vehicle Claims: Six months to file a notice before suing (Ante-Litem Notice).
- Government Vehicle Lawsuits: One year to file a notice before suing (Ante-Litem Notice).
- Accident Claims: Two years to sue for money for your injuries.
- Property Damage Claims: Four years to sue for money for your property damage, if you don’t have any injuries.
- Federal Government Vehicle Claims: A different process with a 2-year deadline, under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Now let’s discuss scenarios where you might consider filing your car accident lawsuit in a state other than Georgia
Filing in a Different State
You usually have to sue in Georgia if you and the other person live there. But sometimes, you might be able to sue in another state.
You might be able to sue in another state if they live in another state or they were working for a company from another state when they hit you.
Factors That Can Influence the Time Frame for Filing an Injury Claim in Georgia
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to do that. But some things can make it faster or slower. Here are some of them:
How Bad Are Your Injuries?
If your injuries are bad, you might need to file your case sooner or later. It depends on how you and your lawyer want to handle it.
How Much Money Do You Need for Your Medical Bills?
Your medical bills are important for your case. They show how much money you need to get better. You might need to file your case sooner if you have a lot of bills or if you need more treatment in the future.
How Much Money You Lost from Not Working?
Your lost wages are important for your case. They show how much money you lost because of the accident. You might need to file your case sooner if you lost a lot of money or if you can’t work anymore.
How Long Has It Been Since the Accident?
The time that has passed since the accident is important for your case. It can affect how strong your proof is and how willing the other side is to settle. You might need to file your case sooner if it’s been a long time or if the evidence is fading.
Talking to a good personal injury lawyer can help you understand these things and decide when to file your case.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia
You deserve to get paid for your injuries after a car accident. But the time to file a claim is limited, and it can vary depending on your situation. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
At Flanagan Law, our car accident lawyers help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you need. If someone else caused your car accident, contact us today and let us help you.
