If you get hurt in an accident, you may notice right away. You also may not realize that something is wrong until a few days after an accident. It should not matter when you notice and report your injuries. If you are owed compensation, a New Jersey personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you fight for it. It’s just important to know how reporting an injury late could affect your case.
Do I Have to Report an Injury Right Away to Claim Compensation?
You don’t actually have to report an injury right away. The sooner you report it, the better, but not noticing an injury immediately after an accident is not all that uncommon. Whether we’re talking about a car crash or a slip and fall, the entire situation can be a bit overwhelming to deal with. You have adrenaline pumping through your system and your mind is full of questions and worries. This can all end up being quite distracting.
This is why you should get to a doctor as soon as possible. If you can see a doctor in the day or two following an accident, they may be able to diagnose you with a problem that you didn’t notice yourself.
How Can a Delayed Report of an Injury Complicate My Case?
Although we know that not all accident victims notice their injuries right away, reporting an injury later can make your case a bit more difficult. This is because it gives an insurer an opening to argue that you may not have been injured in the actual accident.
If you wait two weeks to report an injury, the insurer might look back and ask “What happened in those two weeks? Why didn’t you make your claim right away if you were so hurt?” They might try to claim that you got hurt after the accident and now you’re just trying to cash in.
This is part of the reason why we suggest going to the doctor right away. If your medical records show that a problem developed just a day or two after the accident, it should be obvious that you were hurt in said accident. Even if you wait to report, your medical records and doctors can back you up.
How Long Do I Have to Report an Injury and Sue?
All this being said, you don’t actually have unlimited time to sue for personal injury in New Jersey. The state gives you two years to take legal action. File a claim or lawsuit after that statute of limitations expires and it’s likely to get thrown out.
Schedule Your Free Case Consultation
When you are ready to learn more about your legal options, contact Falcon Law Firm and schedule your free case consultation. There’s no obligation, so just take the time to learn more about what our team can do to help you build your case.
