Put Off Filing Your Car Accident Injury Claim? Take These Steps in the New Year.
It’s early January and that means people are thinking about New Year’s resolutions. If you were injured in a car accident in 2025 – or even in 2024 – and you have been putting off filing an injury claim, it is not too late to get started! In Washington State, people injured in a collision due to the actions of another driver have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Make contacting a car accident attorney your New Year’s resolution!
While it is ideal to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a collision, if you have been putting off filing your injury claim but you are within the three-year window, it may not be too late to file. January is the perfect time to give our Bellingham office a call: 360-223-3747.
Don’t Let Legal Deadlines Pass For Your Car Accident Injury Claim
There are several important reasons to contact a car accident attorney shortly after an accident, including an accurate assessment of the full value of your claim, help gathering evidence, help ensuring you receive appropriate medical care while arranging for payment to be deferred until your case is resolved, handling insurance communications, and making sure your claim is filed within all required legal deadlines.
Personal injury claims are governed by strict legal deadlines called statutes of limitations, which vary by state. These deadlines limit how long you have to file a claim or lawsuit after an accident. Once the deadline passes, your right to compensation will be lost, no matter how strong your case is.
If a year plus has passed since your accident, it is very important to file your injury claim as soon as possible. Acting now will give your attorney the best possible opportunity to preserve evidence, contact witnesses, and start gathering past medical documentation before any more valuable time is lost.
Prioritize Medical Care and Documentation
If you were injured late last year, you may still be in treatment – or you may not have started medical care at all. To get the maximum settlement, consistent medical documentation is essential because medical records connect your injuries directly to the accident and show the full extent of your physical, emotional, and financial damages. Seeking a medical evaluation directly after or soon after the accident can also show that you were experiencing pain or other symptoms caused by the accident. Even if some time has passed, getting to the doctor as soon as possible is vital for your claim.
Make it a resolution to:
- Follow up with your doctor and attend recommended appointments
- Complete physical therapy or specialist referrals
- Keep copies of medical bills, treatment notes, and prescriptions
Gaps in treatment are often used by insurance companies to argue that injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Staying on track medically protects both your health and your claim.
Gather and Organize Accident Evidence
As time passes, it’s easy for evidence to disappear. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage is deleted, tire marks or other damage to accident scenes fade or are repaired, and vehicle damage is repaired or destroyed. Use the new year to gather everything related to your accident in one place, including:
- Police or incident reports
- Photos or videos from the scene
- Contact information for witnesses
- Insurance correspondence (e-mails or letters)
- Proof of lost wages or missed work
Having organized documentation makes it easier for an attorney to evaluate your case and strengthens your position during negotiations. Remember, insurance companies want to minimize payouts, not protect your interests. Early settlement offers are typically far lower than what a claim may truly be worth, especially if medical treatment is ongoing.
A New Year Is a New Opportunity
If you were injured in an accident that you haven’t attempted to recover a settlement for yet, the new year can be a fresh start. Contact an experienced, local personal injury attorney to review your situation so they can help to protect your legal rights.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
