How Long Can You Wait to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

After a motorcycle accident, your life is chaotic. Between the doctor visits, insurance calls and dealing with the fallout from the accident, filing a claim may not be the first thing on your mind. Motorcycle accidents can be devastating. It makes sense if you haven’t thought about filing a claim, but you need to think about it soon. Don’t wait too long after your accident.

State Rules

When it comes to filing a claim, your insurance company does not necessarily determine the length of time you have to file a claim. Instead, the state itself usually has its own set of laws regarding how long a person can wait before filing a claim. It’s best to familiarize yourself with the laws of your particular state.

When to File a Claim

If you speak to your lawyer or an insurance company, they will probably suggest that you file a claim right away. As soon as you notify them of your crash, it’s time to file. Most would recommend filing within 24 hours. If you’ve already forgotten, however, then that’s okay. It isn’t too late to file a claim. You have until the end of your state’s statute of limitations to file a property damage or personal injury claim. Even if you switch insurance companies in the time that it takes you to file a claim, you can still file within the window. Most states have their statute of limitations between two and six years.

When to Contact an Attorney

Your life has been in chaos and you’re only just now considering filing a claim. As soon as you begin to consider it, contact a motorcycle accident attorney. He or she will be able to make sure you get the proper paperwork and can tell you about your state’s laws on filing claims after an accident. An attorney will tell you what documents you need, from police reports to medical records. You can file a claim after your accident. For most states as long as it’s under two years since the accident, you can file a claim. In some states, you can wait longer.

It’s always smart to file a claim as soon as possible. No one will fault you for your life being chaotic after an accident. If you haven’t had a chance to think about a claim, that’s okay. If you need to file a claim, contact an accident attorney right away for details on how to file your claim.