Your life can change in the blink of an eye. In a matter of seconds you can be traveling down the road in perfect health and then suddenly you are involved in a car accident. Getting hurt in a car accident can mean difficult times for you and your loved ones. You may be unable to work while undergoing treatment for your injuries. You may ask yourself whether you need to hire a lawyer to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other losses.

When considering these issues, did you know that your claim could be lost if not filed within a certain time?

New Jersey has what is called a “statute of limitations” for car accident injuries and fatalities. You may have heard this phrase before, but do you know what it means and how it can affect your case?

New Jersey’s statute of limitations for car accidents is 2 years.

The State of New Jersey has set the statute of limitations for car accident cases at 2 years. That means in most cases you must file your lawsuit within 2 years of the date of the accident.

For example, if you were injured in an accident on Jan. 1, 2014, then you have until Jan. 1, 2016 to file suit, unless a narrow exception applies. While this may sound like a lot of time for you to resolve your case, time can move quickly and the statute of limitations can sneak up on you fast.

Do not let that happen to you.

What does the statute of limitations mean for my case?

If you fail to file a lawsuit within 2 years of your accident, then you may not be able to bring your case to court. This means that you will likely receive no compensation no matter how good a case you had.

Your claim is time-barred and lost forever. You will not get your day in court and will not get justice.

If you are approaching the statute of limitations for your case, your lawyer may still be in the process of negotiating a settlement of your claim with the other side. However, your attorney may take steps to preserve your claim by filing a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out.

That is because negotiations alone do not stop the clock from ticking on your claim. That is why it is so crucial that you seek legal help if you were injured or your loved one was killed in a car accident.

Do you know someone who may be involved in a similar scenario? Share this post with them through social media, email or sending them the link via text message. Do not let your loved ones proceed without knowing the proper information.