When to Sue for a Car Accident

Before you consult a car accident lawyer, there are a few ways to figure out if you have a valid car accident claim. Successful claims tend to have certain characteristics in common.

First, each state has a different deadline for filing, called the statute of limitation. In Texas, you’ll have two years to file. Knowing how long after a car accident you can sue in Texas will save you the time and frustration of preparing for a lawsuit that goes nowhere.

If the wreck was fatal, the Texas wrongful death statute of limitations is two years after the death (not after the accident). If a family member died or you were seriously hurt, then you should definitely consider suing. 

In some cases, especially those with fatalities, figuring out when to sue for a car accident is complicated by multiple drivers being involved. That could mean there are multiple lawsuits. In complicated multi-car pile-ups, you’ll want to talk to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Can’t Work? Recovering Lost Income

Any type of serious injury is a reason to consider litigation. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are a serious injury that does not always show symptoms right away. Be thoroughly evaluated by a doctor and let them help you decide if you have any cognitive impairment that could impede you from having a normal life and therefore provide a basis for a lawsuit.

You should also seriously consider filing a claim if your injuries keep you from working. For a lot of people, it isn’t being injured that hurts the most. It’s the fear of leaving their loved ones in poverty after an accident. Knowing how to sue for auto accidents will put your mind at ease.

Sit down and honestly assess how much money you’ll lose as a result of the wreck. Will you be out of work for an extended period of time? Did the accident cause a lifelong disability? If your answer is yes to either one of those questions, you should probably prepare to file a claim.

In addition, if your injuries affect your quality of life or you experience loss of enjoyment, you should think about suing. Perhaps you cannot measure these losses directly, but if you were an avid baseball player prior to your accident and then lost the ability to play sports, that can be considered as a loss of quality of life and is something you could be compensated for. 

Car Accidents and Your Right to Sue

Remember you have the right to sue, and doing so is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from the negative consequences and potential lifelong effects of a serious wreck. 

Knowing when to sue for a car accident is half the battle. Your next step should be to contact a car accident lawyer in Austin and let them do the rest. Call Gibbs & Crivelli, Slingshot Law at 800-488-7840, fill out our contact form, or start a live chat to discuss your case.