When to Consider a Lawyer

If you've just been in a vehicle accident, now could be a good time to consider if you need a lawyer. Personal injury attorneys are skilled specialists who specialize in dealing with injury claims arising from motor vehicle and car accidents.

If you were recently injured in a car accident as a result of someone else's negligence, you may have grounds to file a motor vehicle accident claim. Continue reading to learn more about the automobile accident claims procedure and if you should hire a lawyer to represent you.

Eligible to File a Car Accident Claim

A lawyer can assist you in determining if you are entitled to file a claim for compensation after a vehicle accident. If you were injured as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian in a car accident, you may be able to file a car accident claim under the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance program. 

How to file a claim for a car accident?

A motor vehicle accident claim is filed against the irresponsible driver's insurer under the CTP insurance program. A lawyer can assist you in filing this claim by acquiring the negligent driver's information, locating the appropriate CTP insurer's information, assisting you in filling out and serving the proper claim form, and negotiating the best potential settlement offer.

What Should I Do If Involved in a Car Accident?

A lawyer can help you figure out which form of automobile accident claim is best for your situation and hence the most likely to win. The following are examples of different sorts of automobile accident claims: 

  • Accident notification claim: If successful, you can earn in compensation for expenses spent up to 6 months after the vehicle accident happened by filing a claim with the irresponsible driver's CTP insurance.
  • Personal injury claim: This claim must be filed with the irresponsible driver's CTP insurer as well, and it is for when the injured person anticipates their expenditures to exceed $5000 or their recuperation time to exceed six months.
  • Claim of the nominal defendant: In some cases, like as during a hit-and-run, it may be impossible to determine the identity of the other automobile driver. In this instance, family members who have lost a loved one in a tragic car accident are eligible for compensation by filing a fatal car accident claim.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Claim?


A motor vehicle accident claim is subject to stringent time restrictions, and if you do not act within the time frame, you may lose your right to compensation. Lawyers are fully aware of any deadlines that must be met, and may assist you in ensuring that you are not out of time and so unable to file a claim. The time restrictions for filing a vehicle accident claim might range from 28 days to 6 months, depending on the sort of claim you're filing.

Is it possible to extend these deadlines?

If you do not file a vehicle accident claim within the time limit, a lawyer may be able to help you ask for an extension. An extension will be granted only if you can offer a valid justification. The insurers will examine the following factors when considering whether or not to grant an extension:

  • The amount of time it took to file a claim.
  • The factors that contributed to the delay in filing a claim 
  • The severity and type of the damage

A lawyer can write and file an application with the insurance company, precisely stating your situation and why you should be given an extension. However, whether or not an extension is granted is completely at the insurer's discretion, and aggrieved parties should not count on receiving one.

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