Time Limits

If you have an accident you must bring a claim within 3 years of the accident or the court has the power to refuse to allow you to claim for your injury.

The only exception to the 3 year rule is;

1. If you were under 18 when the accident happened. In this case the 3 years only starts to run from when you are 18.
2. At the time of the accident you did not know you had been injured or that your injury was caused by an accident, illness or disease, but you find out later. Even if this is years later, the three years may start to run from when you found out. Your solicitor will be able to tell you more.

In some types of accidents the three year limitation period may change. For example, the time limit for injuries involving defective products is two years or an accident caused by a plane, which is also two years.

You should try and see a solicitor as soon as possible after the accident, 3 years may seem a long time, but it isn't. This is because it can often take 3 years just to prepare the case for trial. This may be because you have to wait for operations to see if your condition can be made better.

If your injury is going to give you problems in the future or it cannot be put right then you are likely to receive more in compensation than if your injury improves very quickly.