Car accidents can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds. After a crash, you may need time to recover from injuries or manage financial stress.
However, you should know how long you have to file a car accident claim in New Jersey. If you wait too long, you could lose your chance to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
New Jersey’s statute of limitations for car accident claims
The “statute of limitations” refers to a legal deadline for taking some action, in this case, filing a car accident claim. Each state has different guidelines for how much time a person has to bring a claim for damages in personal injury cases. For most automobile collisions in New Jersey, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
This means you have two years to file a lawsuit for personal injuries, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you won’t be able to pursue compensation.
For property damage, the deadline is six years from the date of the accident to file a claim for harm to your vehicle or other property. While this may seem like plenty of time, it’s usually better to act as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear, and memories fade, which can weaken your case if you delay filing.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations
There are a few exceptions to the two-year deadline in certain cases. For example, when minors get injured, they have two years from their 18th birthday to file a claim. If an injury goes undiscovered, the deadline typically starts from the date the injured person becomes aware of the injury.
These deadlines are important because they give you a clear timeline for taking action. By filing within the statute of limitations, you have the best chance of recovering fair compensation for your injuries and losses after a car accident.