Insurance companies don’t have a specific deadline for paying accident claims in Georgia. However, accident victims have only a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. This means that the longer the insurance company waits to pay an accident claim, the greater the chance that the accident victim will take the case to court.
What is the deadline for filing a court case?
The law sets time limits for filing lawsuits. These are known as “statutes of limitations,” and they can vary somewhat depending on the circumstances of your accident. Most car accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to get a lawsuit on file. But some victims have a much shorter deadline.
Once the deadline passes, you can no longer recover money in court to pay for your injuries. If you file a lawsuit after the deadline, the judge will dismiss it. The insurance company knows this, and if the statute of limitations has passed and you have not filed a lawsuit, it will not pay your claim.
Why is the insurance company taking so long to pay my claim?
There may be several reasons. It may just be one of the insurance company’s tactics to avoid paying you, or to minimize the amount it has to pay. Often, though, there is a legitimate reason why your claim seems to be moving slowly:
- There are questions about who is at fault, and more investigation is needed
- Your injuries are serious, and it’s too soon to tell what the ultimate cost will be
- Your claim involves a third party, like the manufacturer of a defective part, and experts have to be called in to establish liability
While you are waiting for your claim to be paid, it is important to keep your eye on the statute of limitations, so you don’t give up any rights. A car accident lawyer can tell you what the statute of limitations is for your case, and can help make sure you don’t let it slip by.
What if the statute of limitations is getting close and the insurance company hasn’t paid?
You need to talk to one of the car accident law firms in Atlanta, Georgia. Car accident lawyers are experienced negotiators who may be able to get the insurance company to settle your claim. If not, they can advise you on whether you have a strong case that you could potentially win in court. A lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you throughout the process.
Talk to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer for Free
Our car accident lawyers can help get your claim paid – and get you the full amount you deserve. You won’t have to pay us anything if we don’t win you money. Let us offer you a FREE consultation to get you started on the next steps. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
