It is not unusual for someone involved in a serious car crash to refuse medical attention at the scene, and then wake up the next day or several days with severe pain and discomfort. It might take months, depending upon the injury, for symptoms to appear and cause you to seek medical attention.
Even car accident victims suffering catastrophic injuries requiring immediate medical attention might not realize the full extent of the long-term consequences. Many people do not think in terms of seeking advice from an attorney about making a claim for compensation against the negligent driver who caused the accident.
Waiting too long to speak to an attorney about suing the distracted driver or drunk driver who injured you could cause you to lose the right to compensation. Lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering are only recoverable in a lawsuit if you file it before the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Statutes of limitations are laws enacted by each state to encourage you to make you claim for damages within a reasonable period of time after a car accident. Putting a time limit on your right to sue someone prevents evidence from being lost or destroyed. It also helps to ensure that a person against whom a claim might be made has an opportunity to conduct an investigation while a witness can recollect the event.
The Connecticut statute of limitations for injuries suffered in a car accident is two years from the date of the accident. A lawsuit filed after two years may be dismissed by the court as untimely.
There are many facets to the law regarding the statute of limitations and car accidents that could affect your rights. A personal injury attorney in New Haven can offer legal advice about the statute of limitations, and how it applies in a particular situation.
