What Are the Alabama Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?

In Alabama, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident is generally two years. Those who have lost a family member in a crash and need to file a wrongful death lawsuit, those filing claims against a government entity, and those who were under 19 years old when the crash happened may have separate deadlines.

Wettermark Keith has recovered over $1.5 billion for our clients, including those who have been harmed in auto accidents caused by negligent parties. Let our car accident lawyers in Birmingham review your case. We can explain the statute of limitations that applies to your case and, if warranted, help you pursue compensation from any liable parties through a lawsuit. 

A Look at Alabama’s Statute of Limitations for Filing Car Accident Lawsuits

Alabama’s statutes of limitations for filing an auto accident lawsuit vary based on the facts of a case. The Birmingham personal injury lawyers at Wettermark Keith can evaluate your car accident case and describe how much time you have to sue. Below are statutes of limitations for Alabama car accident lawsuits that you need to know about:

• Personal injury: In some instances, you have two years from the date you are injured in a car accident to sue for compensatory damages, according to Alabama Code § 6-2-38.
• Wrongful death: The statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is usually two years. Under Alabama Code § 6-5-410, a personal representative of a decedent’s estate is eligible to file this type of lawsuit, with certain exceptions. 
• Government: The time frame in which you’re allowed to sue a government agency for a car accident is often six months. 
• Property damage: Per Alabama Code § 6-2-34, following a car accident, you may have six years to sue exclusively for property or vehicle damage. 

Our attorneys want you to file your car accident lawsuit in accordance with the Alabama statute of limitations that applies to your situation. Along with this, we can detail the average car accident settlement in Alabama and look for ways to recover damages for your medical bills, car repair costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. 

Exceptions to Alabama’s Statutes of Limitations for You to File a Car Accident Lawsuit

Alabama law has certain tolling rules for minors. Under Alabama Code § 6-2-8, for individuals under 19, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit tolls until they turn 19. This means someone under 19 has until age 21 to sue for damages for injuries they suffer in a car accident.  

Even though the statute of limitations for many car accident lawsuits in Alabama is two years, insurance companies require you to report auto crashes immediately. If you wait too long to notify your car insurance company about your auto collision, this can affect your claim. 

Wettermark Keith offers legal guidance and support to those injured in auto accidents and their families. To us, your fight is our fight, and we want to help you secure compensation for your auto accident losses through a claim or lawsuit. We can build your case for compensation and, as we do, account for exceptions that can impact the statute of limitations for filing your lawsuit.

How to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Alabama

Talk with the car accident attorneys at Wettermark Keith if you are interested in suing someone for an auto crash. Our lawyers can review police reports, interview witnesses who saw your car accident, and take other measures to investigate. This helps us determine whether you have grounds for filing a car accident lawsuit.

Our personal injury lawyers can teach you about Alabama’s statute of limitations for filing your auto collision lawsuit. After we file your lawsuit, we can gather evidence and prepare an argument designed to prove negligence. 

Leading up to your trial, we can negotiate a settlement with a liable party. If no settlement is reached, our lawyers can present your case to a judge or jury. When we argue your case, we want to make it clear to a judge or jury that the defendant acted negligently and should pay economic and non–economic damages.

Find Out More About Alabama’s Statute of Limitations for You to File Your Car Accident Lawsuit 

Per Alabama law, you have a limited window to sue a motorist, a mechanic, an automaker, or other parties for a car accident. When you account for Alabama’s statutes of limitations for filing an auto crash lawsuit, you can sue for damages before the window in which you are legally permitted to do so closes.

The Wettermark Keith team has more than 50 years of combined experience. Allow us to examine your auto accident case. We can discuss Alabama’s statute of limitations for you to sue for a car accident and other topics relating to your situation. 

If you decide to sue someone for an auto accident, we will handle your legal matters with compassion and care. We also work on contingency, and you pay us nothing unless we win your case. For more information, schedule a free consultation.