How long do I have to file an injury claim?

In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Ala. Code § 6-2-38). Miss that deadline and your case is forever barred, and you lose the right to recover, no matter how strong your claim is. Limited exceptions exist, such as claims involving minors, so never assume your time has run out without talking to a lawyer.

Don’t wait anywhere near two years, though. Skid marks wash away after a few hard rains, surveillance footage is often recorded over within weeks, vehicles get repaired or scrapped, and witnesses move or forget. And you don’t have to be finished with medical treatment to act. A lawsuit can be filed while you’re still treating. Talk to a personal injury lawyer soon after your accident. It doesn’t have to be Greene & Phillips, but call someone. Even if you suspect you’ve waited too long, contact us for a free assessment of your situation.

Watch: David Greene explains Alabama’s statute of limitations on FOX10’s Studio 10  |  Read more: Alabama’s statute of limitations for injury claims