How long do I have to report a car accident?

A car accident can drastically change any plans you had at the time. When serious injuries keep you from working or getting around comfortably, it can take a lot of time to get your life back to normal. Even if it takes months or longer to fully recover from an accident, you may not have that long to file your compensation claim. How long do you have to file your claim when you need a settlement for your car accident injuries?

How your state laws impact your claim

Here in New Mexico, accident victims have three years from the date of the incident to file a compensation claim. This may seem like plenty of time to file a claim, but it is not when medical bills and other costs begin to pile up. The sooner you file a compensation claim, the sooner you can earn the funds you need to make ends meet while you are out of work.

Why you should not wait

Even though you have three years to file your claim, it will still take some time to earn your compensation claim. Depending on the complexity of the claim, it can take several years to earn a settlement that you can be satisfied with, especially if your claim goes to trial.

Additionally, the supporting evidence of your injury claim, such as eyewitness testimony, may not be as reliable in a few years. The sooner you file your claim, the stronger your evidence will be in your case. Waiting beyond three years could make receiving difficult, if not impossible.

Get the compensation you deserve

There is no telling how long it will take to secure the compensation you need or how well the evidence in your claim will last over time. To ensure that you are maximizing the settlement you earn from your claim while also getting the money as soon as possible, file your compensation claim today with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.