Filing a claim after an accident is already stressful, and it can feel even more stressful if you feel like you have to rush or are unsure of when you should file. A highly trained Denver Personal Injury lawyer can not only help you put your case together, but they can help you know when it’s time to file, too, as related to the statute of limitations.

What is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is a law that determines how long somebody can wait to file a legal claim after an incident, usually on a state-to-state basis. Laws like this exist for both civil and criminal law and will vary depending on the type of crime and where it took place. Generally, the beginning of the time period considered for the statute of limitations starts the day of the accident.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Colorado?

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for filing a claim on a car accident is usually 3 years. This means that you must begin filing your claim sometime within that 3-year period. While there are many good reasons why you may wait some time following an accident to file, filing sooner rather than later will give your attorney ample time to prepare and will help ensure that witnesses will still be available and that your memory of events will still be fresh, and more.

Why Do You Have So Long to File?

The statute of limitation for car accident cases almost always gives the victim multiple years to file a claim. This is, in part, because it can take a while for the true effects of one’s injuries to make themselves known in your life. Due to the nature of how adrenaline behaves in the body during a stressful situation, an injured victim might not realize the extent of their injuries until after it wears off and the pain kicks in. Likewise, severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries might not manifest their symptoms until months or even years later. These can be debilitating and can lead to lost wages, inability to speak, and more.

If you have been involved in an accident, always check in with your doctor, even if you don’t feel that you are seriously hurt. Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your health.