Hi Charlie!
Thanks for the great question.
A car accident claim, or a road traffic accident (RTA) claim as they're often known, falls under personal injury law. The
Limitation Act 1980 lays out the following rules when it comes to time limits for making a personal injury claim:
- If you're over the age of 18, you have just 3 years to make a claim from the date of the accident.
- If you're under the age of 18, it's possible to have a parent or guardian act on your behalf. This individual would be referred to as a litigation friend. If no claim is made by the time you turn 18, your 3-year clock begins to tick from this point, giving you until your 21st birthday to start proceedings.
- If as a result of the car accident the injured person loses the mental capacity to make a claim, a litigation friend can act on their behalf. The 3-year limitation period will not begin to run until the person begins their recovery.
Hope that answers your question, and if you have any more, get in touch with our live chat team, bottom right! If you're interested in making a claim they can give you a No Win No Fee bonus offer!
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Edward
