After a severe car accident, there is a lot on your plate. An accident victim can struggle to manage recovery, pay bills, and manage daily tasks. Add the stress of attempting to recover compensation for your injuries and losses, and you may be overwhelmed. However, putting everything on the back burner to ease your frustration is not the answer.
Illinois gives accident victims limited time to file a car accident lawsuit. If you wait too long to assess your options, you may lose leverage against an insurer and your ability to have a judge or jury hear your case.
How Long Do Accident Victims Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?
Car accidents are considered personal injury cases. Although injured accident victims often seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s car insurance company to cover their accident-related expenses, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against an insurer or at-fault party.
Illinois law gives injured people two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation. While that seems like plenty of time to get your ducks in a row, it can pass you by in the blink of an eye. This is especially true in cases where aggressive insurers drag their feet or negotiate in bad faith. This tactic is sometimes used to “run out the clock.” When the insurer knows the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit has lapsed, they know you’ve lost leverage against them and can force you to settle for less.
Your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your financial losses increase when you involve an experienced attorney who can help you manage your claim, recover valuable evidence before it is lost or destroyed, and manage strict legal deadlines.
Can the Legal Deadline to File a Lawsuit Change?
Yes. In rare situations, you may have more time to file a lawsuit, especially if a victim is a minor at the time of the accident or if the accident victim suffers a disability that renders them mentally incompetent. If the individual being sued leaves the state during the statute period, that can also affect how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.
While there are exceptions to the law, it is best to involve a skilled personal injury attorney early in the claim process to review your situation and advise you of your legal rights and timelines.
Contact an Illinois Car Accident Attorney for More Information Today
There is no need to juggle accident-related tasks. An experienced car accident attorney at Bonifield & Rosenstengel can help keep you on track and fight to recover the money you need to cover your medical expenses and other losses. Our legal team knows what it takes to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf, taking the stress off your shoulders.
Contact us online or call our Illinois office today at 618-277-7740 and ask to set up a free consultation.