The days, weeks, and months after a car crash are extremely stressful. You are likely in extreme pain from injuries, may have to miss time from work, and may not be able to participate in the things you once enjoyed. You can file a claim for compensation, either with your own insurance company or against the negligent party that caused the collision. Either claim you file will have a time limit and if that time expires and you have not filed your claim, you will likely not be able to claim any compensation at all.
Time Limits on Insurance Claims
The majority of insurance policies in Florida and throughout the country require insured individuals to report any motor vehicle accident to them as soon as possible. Many even require motorists to report any accident within 24 hours. Informing your insurance company is not the same thing as filing a claim. It is only a requirement of your insurance policy but if you do not report the crash to your insurer, it may give them a reason to cancel your policy.
All insurance policies have different time limits on them for filing a claim. One of the first things you should do after an accident is to review your policy thoroughly and look for how much time you have to file a claim. Insurance policies are filled with fine print, and often include confusing language. A Miami car accident lawyer can read through your policy to determine how much time you have.
It is usually most recommended that you file an insurance claim right away. Insurers sometimes become suspicious when a claim is not filed soon after a crash, which can make obtaining total compensation from them more challenging.
The Statute of Limitations in Personal Injury Claims
You also have a certain amount of time if you need to file a personal injury claim against the irresponsible party because your PIP payments did not completely cover the cost of the damage. The statute of limitations applies to all personal injury claims in Miami and the rest of Florida. In situations involving auto accidents, the statute of limitations is four years after the collision. There are few exceptions to the norm that are allowed under the law, but they are extremely few. You may lose your ability to seek any compensation at all if your claim is not submitted within that time frame.
Call Our Car Accident Lawyers in Miami Today
If you have been in a crash, you deserve compensation for your injuries and other losses. It is critical that you file a claim as soon as possible so you can receive the full damages that are justly yours. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our Miami car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping accident victims with the legal aspects of their injury so they can focus on getting better. We want to help you, too. Call us now at 305-371-2692 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation.