Two different clocks
- Insurance claim — you should report the accident to your insurer promptly, often within days as required by your policy.
- Lawsuit — the statute of limitations (generally 1–6 years) is the deadline to file suit if you can't settle.
Why waiting works against you
Evidence disappears, memories fade, and the longer the gap between the accident and your treatment, the easier it is for an insurer to argue your injuries aren't related to the crash.
Exceptions exist — but don't count on them
Some situations shift the deadline: injuries to minors, the “discovery rule” for injuries found later, and claims against government entities (which often have much shorter notice deadlines). These vary by state — this is general information, not legal advice about your deadline.
Start your file now, decide later
SettleFair builds your claim file for free with no obligation — so you protect your options now and decide how to proceed on your own timeline.