Filing a personal injury claim requires time and money. It is easy to put off claiming because you are too busy, or are a little short of cash right now. “Next month,” you think. Next month comes, and your situation is the same, so you put it off once more. 

Perhaps your injury does not seem that bad, and you hope it will improve with time. So you decide not to make a claim. What happens if months or years later your injury has not healed as well as you thought? 

If you choose to wait before pursuing a claim for injuries suffered in an accident you need to be aware that you do not have unlimited time. Each state has time limits for putting in a claim: This is known as a statute of limitations, and the time allowed depends upon what the claim is for.

Under the Alabama statute of limitations, you have two years to bring a personal injury claim from the date of the accident. Medical malpractice claims also must be brought within two years.

There are exceptions: If you recently discovered the problem, you may be allowed six months from the date of discovery. In the case of an injury occurring to a minor, the two year period does not begin until they turn 19 years old. In the case of someone deemed mentally incompetent, it does not start until they are declared mentally competent. 

If you have been injured in an accident in Alabama, and are considering making a claim, seek legal advice before it is too late.