How long after a car accident can you file a claim?

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, your first concern might be getting car repairs and medical bills paid so you can get back to everyday life. But when it comes to making a claim or talking to a lawyer, it might be better to wait to make sure you can pay for long-term medical bills or damage to your car that’s not apparent at first glance.

How long you have to file a claim in your state

Each state imposes its own time limits on filing insurance claims or lawsuits after car accidents, typically between one and six years. And your time limits might also vary depending on whether your accident resulted in bodily injury or property damages — or both.

Compare the statute of limitations for reporting a car accident and personal injury suits or damages claims in your state.

Must read: A note about these limits

We’ve designed the chart below to be as accurate and up to date as possible, but it’s intended to be a rough guide. If you consult an attorney for advice before filing a suit, this could save you trouble down the road; lawyers are experts on state laws and they should be able to guide you through making things right.

Your time limits to file insurance claims could also be affected by your insurance provider or policy terms. To avoid running over your insurer’s limits, it’s usually best to carefully read your policy’s terms or speak with an agent.

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Pros and cons of waiting to file an insurance claim

If your accident results in extensive injuries, weigh out the pros and cons of waiting to file.

Should I wait to make a personal injury claim?

If you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, symptoms can take weeks or even months to fully develop. The full effects of a head injury, for example, might not become evident until the injured person returns to everyday life.

If you file for a claim before you know the full extent of injuries from an accident, you could end up losing out on coverage that you’ll need in the coming weeks and months. Filing multiple claims can also make the process more difficult, if your insurance provider allows for them at all.

Injuries that don’t always show symptoms right away could include:

• Head trauma. Because of the delicate and intricate nature of the human brain, it’s difficult to predict how head injuries will affect a person’s health. While immediate signs of injury might appear after an accident, other signs and symptoms of larger issues can present themselves weeks or even months after an injured person is given the all-clear by a doctor.
• Delayed pain and whiplash. The forces of impact can put serious stress on muscles and tendons that you may not notice until a few days after an accident. Even small muscle or ligament tears could require a doctor’s attention.
• Small fractures. It’s not uncommon for a partial or minor fracture to go unnoticed, especially when it’s thrown into the mix with other large or more painful injuries. Stresses on a fractured bone during the healing processes can cause further damage, making it all the more important for you to account for all injuries before filing a claim.
• Internal injuries. Your internal organs aren’t exempt from being knocked around, getting bruised or even getting ruptured in the forces of a car crash. Symptoms from an internal injury could also take a while to show up — for example, your spleen or appendix could be damaged and continue to swell or even burst weeks after an impact, with or without pain beforehand. It’s a good idea to keep your doctor in the loop about any pain or symptoms you’re experiencing after a crash that could point to injuries beneath the surface.

Should I wait to make a property damage claim?

After a car accident, the car’s body damage is usually easy to see — scraped paint, crumpled metal, broken glass and so on. But significant issues with the exhaust, suspension or alignment? Those things could possibly go unnoticed until days or even weeks after the repairs are supposedly complete.

A mechanic will be able to find anything wrong with the vehicle that might not be obvious at first glance. If you do need the help of a mechanic or body shop, it’s good to check whether the repair work you need done is eligible under your policy.

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Bottom line

If you’re injured or your property is damaged in a car accident, it can take weeks or even months to assess the true cost of fixing what’s wrong.

Waiting before filing your claim or lawsuit with your insurer might help you get the coverage you’ll ultimately need. But if you exceed your state’s statute of limitations, you could completely miss out on filing your claim or settlement, leaving you with a financial burden.

To find out how property insurance law can affect your car insurance claim, it can help to speak to your insurance agent or an insurance professional. For more information on everything to do with auto coverage, you can read our comprehensive guide to car insurance and our insurance guides for each state.

Common questions about timing your claim

• What if my policy's window to file a claim is shorter than my state's law?

  Many insurance providers reserve the right to set time limits for filing claims. If you feel your provider has set an unfair time limit, you may want to speak with an agent about a possible compromise, or other options that might help you file in time while still getting the coverage you need.

• How long should I wait before filing a claim?

  Generally speaking, filing a claim as soon after an accident as possible helps your insurer to pay all the bills and expenses from your accident more quickly. Claims take time to process, so the sooner you file, the sooner you’ll probably see a reimbursement or payment from your provider.

• Should I file a claim while I'm still in the hospital?

  This depends on your circumstances. Usually, it’s only best if you and your doctor are both certain that all injuries and issues are accounted for. But even then, complications can arise from a healing wound or setting a broken bone, requiring further hospitalization or even surgery.

  You can’t wait forever to file your claim — in fact, the limit could be as short as a year after the accident — but it might be wise to wait until your health is truly back to 100% before you consider the medical portion of your claim ready to file.

• What happens to my insurance costs after making an insurance claim?

  Typically your insurance premiums will increase after making a claim on your insurance. You might also lose any no-claim or claim-free discount for maintaining your policy with no accidents or claims for a certain period.

  However, if you have accident forgiveness on your policy, you’re usually protected from any increase in cost because of your previous track record for safe driving. It may help to talk to your provider, so you can find out how much your rate will increase, and whether it’s worth it to make your claim or pay out of pocket for damages.