How Long After an Accident Can You Sue in Georgia?

The period following a car accident can be hectic and stressful. Between securing the medical treatment you need, trying to make ends meet if you can’t work, and making any necessary adjustments to your everyday life, you likely have a lot on your plate. If someone else caused the accident, you may be considering filing a claim against them to recover compensation. But how long after an accident can you sue?

In Georgia, you typically have a limited time to file a lawsuit after a car accident. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, even if someone else caused the crash. Understanding how long you have to sue and the exceptions to this timeline can help you protect your rights.

What’s the Statute of Limitations in Georgia Car Accident Cases?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of the incident to file a car accident lawsuit. This means you have just two years to take legal action if you suffered injuries or other losses due to someone else’s negligence. Once this deadline passes, you may lose your chance to file a lawsuit or recover compensation. Acting within this timeframe is crucial, as gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, and building a strong case can take time. While two years might seem like plenty of time, starting early gives you a better chance at a successful outcome.

Exceptions to the Two-Year Deadline

While Georgia’s time limit for car accident injury lawsuits is generally two years, certain situations may change this timeline. Exceptions apply in specific cases, including those involving minors, government entities, or wrongful death. These exceptions may shorten or extend your filing period, depending on the circumstances.

For example, if the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations may pause until the minor turns 18, after which they have two years to file a claim. Additionally, the deadline may be shorter if the claim involves a government entity, such as a city or county vehicle. Under these circumstances, you may have only one year to file a notice of claim with the government.

Wrongful death lawsuits arising from car accidents have somewhat different deadlines. While the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death, you may have longer if the at-fault driver faces criminal charges arising from the accident. In these cases, you have two years from the date their criminal case concludes to file a lawsuit.

Compensation You Can Recover in an Injury Claim

You may seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses in a Georgia car accident injury claim. Economic losses include costs you can easily track, such as medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, and any future medical needs related to your injuries. These costs help address the immediate and long-term financial impacts of the accident.

Non-economic losses involve more personal, intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in life. Compensation for these losses acknowledges how the accident affects your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. In some cases, you may also recover punitive damages if the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness, such as by driving under the influence.

Why You Should Contact an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Right Away

If you suffered injuries in a car accident another driver caused through negligence or carelessness, contacting an Atlanta personal injury lawyer right away can make a significant difference in your claim. An experienced car accident attorney can assess your case, gather essential evidence to support your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and advise on the best steps forward. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly and for less than what your claim may truly be worth, so having legal guidance can help you avoid falling victim to tactics designed to avoid paying what you deserve.

Additionally, Georgia’s statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit can affect your ability to pursue compensation if too much time passes. Acting quickly allows your lawyer to build a strong case and secure any evidence that might become less reliable or even inaccessible over time, such as witness statements and accident scene photos. By reaching out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, you’ll strengthen your case and protect your right to seek fair compensation.

Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has more than 30 years of experience serving injured Georgians, and our team is committed to advocating for you and pursuing the justice you deserve. Contact us today at (770) 205-8827 to discuss your case and explore your options for recovery.