If you were in a motor vehicle accident in California and you notice that certain symptoms are not going away, you may choose to file a personal injury claim against the other driver. It is important to keep in mind there are statutes of limitation, which means you only have a certain amount of time to file the claim. That is why it is imperative to take note of any symptoms, minor or serious, after an accident so the at-fault party can cover the expenses in a timely manner.
According to California Courts, you must file a lawsuit within a specified amount of time or else the claim is invalid. Statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of dispute and they typically range from six months to infinity. For a personal injury claim, the law states the plaintiff must file the lawsuit two years after the initial injury. If the plaintiff discovers the injury later on, the time limit for a claim is one year after the discovery.
Some injuries make their appearance right away after the accident, but KTAR News reports there are a number of issues that may take longer to show up. Even if it is a week after the accident, you should document symptoms and get medical attention right away. Some injury symptoms that may take their time showing up include:
- Shoulder or neck pain
- Headaches
- Abdominal swelling or pain
- Upper or lower back pain
- Traumatic brain injury
- Numbness
- PTSD
Car insurance should cover these injuries if you report them as soon as you notice them. However, if it is within a year or two you may be able to file a lawsuit if the other driver is the at-fault party.
