What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident In Connecticut?

The aftermath of a car accident is an overwhelming time, especially if you or a loved one suffered serious injuries. Often, the financial impacts of the accident take a back seat to an accident victim’s more immediate concerns—treating their injuries and getting back on their feet.

Once the medical bills begin piling up at the same time that the injuries delay or prevent a return to work, many accident victims turn to the legal system to file a claim for compensation against the at-fault party for their accident damages, but what impact does the state’s statute of limitations have on a car accident claim? A professional New Haven car accident lawyer can answer questions like these or more.

Schedule a free consultation today — call (203) 888-8888.

Understanding Connecticut’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims

Injuries from a car accident fall under Connecticut’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Under Connecticut Chapter 926 §52-584, the law states the following:

“No action to recover damages for injury to the person, or to real or personal property, caused by negligence, or by reckless or wanton misconduct, or by malpractice of a physician, surgeon, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital or sanatorium, shall be brought but within two years from the date when the injury is first sustained or discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered…”

In Connecticut, accident victims have up to two years from the accident date to file a claim against the party at fault for the accident for their property damage and injury-related costs. Because an injury victim cannot take the case to court with a lawsuit beyond the two-year statute of limitations, insurance companies are not compelled to consider an injury claim filed after that date.

Connecticut’s statute of limitations for car accident claims ensures that evidence is still available and eyewitness testimony remains reliable should a case go to court. It also protects defendants from the long-term threat of lawsuits.

Are There Exceptions to Connecticut’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases?

Car accident injury victims sometimes wait to take action to recover their damages because it’s difficult to know the extent of those damages immediately after the accident; however, it’s important to file a claim early enough to allow ample time to investigate, gather evidence of liability, and make a meticulous calculation of the economic damages and still have time to pursue the case in court should the insurance company fail to offer an acceptable settlement.

The state only extends (tolls) the statute of limitations under limited circumstances, including the following:

• When a minor suffers injuries in a car accident, they have up to two years after their 18th birthday to file a claim on their own behalf
• If a car accident victim is later diagnosed with an accident-related injury, they have up to two years after the date of discovery—or when they reasonably should have discovered the injury—to file a claim, but no longer than three years past the accident date
• If the at-fault driver flees the scene or leaves the state in a hit-and-run accident, the state may extend the statute of limitations for up to two years after the at-fault driver is apprehended, but for no more than seven years after the accident date
• The state may extend the time limit for car accident victims who are significantly incapacitated or unconscious for some time after the accident, in which case, the time limit begins on the date they regain their cognitive abilities

How Can a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer Help?

If you have questions about how Connecticut’s statute of limitations affects your car accident claim, call the experienced New Haven personal injury attorneys at Weber & Rubano at (203) 888-8888 for a free evaluation of your case. We never charge upfront fees to injury victims. Instead, we only get paid after we secure your compensation.