After being involved in an auto accident, some people wonder how long they have to settle their Wesley Chapel auto accident case. There is no set time specified by law as to when you have to settle a Wesley Chapel auto accident case. However, the law does provide certain deadlines as to when an injured party has to seek treatment and when a lawsuit must be filed.
First, Florida law requires that for an injured person to have the ability to recover the full amount of their personal injury protection benefits (PIP), then the person must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the auto accident. Additionally, the injured person must receive a diagnosis that his or her injuries are an emergency medical condition.
A person can settle a Wesley Chapel auto accident claim at any time. However, there are time limitations as to when a person can file a lawsuit following an auto accident. Here are several time limitations imposed under the statute of limitations governing auto accidents:
· A wrongful death lawsuit following an auto accident must be filed within two (2) years of the date of the incident.
· For personal injury damages arising from an auto accident against the at-fault driver, at-fault owner, and/or at-fault corporate entity, a lawsuit must be filed within four (4) years of the date of the incident.
· For personal injury damages against an insurance company providing Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage benefits under the policy of insurance, a lawsuit must be filed within five (5) years of the date of the incident.
If you have additional questions regarding whether you have complied with the time limitations imposed on the various types of claims that can be made following a Wesley Chapel auto accident, please contact our office for a free initial consultation to further discuss your potential case.