The timeframe within which to bring a lawsuit or claim is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in a case varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction or state to state. Here in Alabama, the statute of limitations period can vary from the type of claim you’re going to bring.

If you’re bringing what’s called a negligence claim, for something like a car accident, it’s two years. If you’re bringing a claim for breach of contract, it would be six years. It’s important to know where your accident happened, as to what jurisdictions apply, and what type of claim you’re bringing.

If it’s a personal injury claim, generally in Alabama, you have two years from the date of the accident within which to bring the claim. For example, if your accident happened January 1 of 2014, you would have till January 1 of 2016 to bring your claim.

What’s really critical is that you don’t wait till the last minute. This is not something you should procrastinate on. You need to speak to a personal injury attorney early in the process to make sure all the evidence is collected and all the information is investigated to maximize your recovery.