You’ve been hit by a work vehicle. Maybe it was a delivery van. Maybe a utility truck. Maybe someone driving for Uber or Amazon. Whatever the case, you’re sore, your car’s wrecked, and now you’re trying to figure out what to do next.

And here’s the million-dollar question: How long do you have to file a claim?

Because let’s be honest—most people don’t take legal action right away. You might be focused on healing, dealing with insurance, or just overwhelmed by the whole situation. But waiting too long to file can mean losing your right to compensation completely.

There’s a legal term for this: statute of limitations. And if you miss it, that’s it. Case closed. Even if your injuries turn out to be serious. Even if you’re not at fault. Even if the driver was clearly negligent.

So let’s break down how long you actually have, what factors affect that deadline, and why it’s smarter to act now than risk missing your shot at getting paid.

Most States Give You Between 1 to 3 Years—But That’s Not the Full Story

Every state has its own time limit for filing a personal injury claim. Some give you just 1 year. Others give you up to 3. A few go a little longer, but not by much.

Sounds simple enough, right? Just file before that date?

Not exactly.

There are a bunch of factors that can shrink your timeline:

• If the vehicle was owned by a government agency (city bus, postal truck, etc.), the window might be as short as 6 months

• If the crash happened in a “no-fault” state, your timeline to seek outside compensation may start from the date of injury

• If you didn’t realize how serious your injuries were until later, you might still be able to file—but proving that delay can be tricky

• If evidence disappears, even a valid case becomes hard to win

So yeah, the clock’s ticking. But what makes this even more time-sensitive is that building a solid case takes time. You can’t just show up on the last day with a receipt and hope for a check. Lawyers need time to gather evidence, talk to witnesses, review insurance coverage, and figure out who’s actually liable—the driver, their employer, or both.

That’s why waiting until the last minute almost never works out.

Why the Vehicle Being “Commercial” Changes Everything

If the car that hit you was being used for work, it shifts your case into commercial territory. That means higher insurance coverage—and more money at stake—but also more complexity.

Commercial vehicle crashes usually involve:

• Company drivers on the clock

• Gig workers like Uber, Lyft, Amazon, or Instacart drivers

• Service vehicles like HVAC vans, electricians, or plumbing trucks

• Semi-trucks and trailers

The second someone is working when they hit you, their employer may be partially responsible. But don’t expect the company to hand over info or admit fault. You’ll need legal help to prove that the driver was working, that they were negligent, and that their company holds financial responsibility.

And again—doing all that takes time. So the earlier you get help, the better your chances of getting every dollar you’re owed.

If You’ve Been Putting This Off, You’re Not Alone

A lot of people delay getting legal help after an accident. Maybe you hoped the insurance company would play fair. Maybe you didn’t realize how bad your injuries were. Maybe you were just trying to power through it.

Totally normal. But if it’s been a few weeks—or even a few months—since the crash, this is your reminder: the clock is still ticking.

You might still have time to file a claim, but every day that passes makes it harder to collect the right evidence, get medical records, and build a case that holds up. That’s why we always tell people to talk to someone sooner than later—even if you’re not 100% sure you want to move forward.

There’s no risk in getting advice. But there’s a huge risk in waiting too long.

Whiplash Wealth Makes It Easy to Get Moving

If you’re reading this and feeling that little pit in your stomach, like “I should probably talk to someone about this”… you’re probably right.

And the good news? We’ve made that part easy.

Whiplash Wealth connects people who’ve been hit by work vehicles with attorneys who know exactly how to handle these cases. No guesswork. No wasted time. You fill out a few quick questions, and we match you with a lawyer who understands commercial claims, deadlines, and how to get you paid—fast.

So don’t wait. Not when time is literally working against you.

Get matched with the right attorney today. It only takes a minute to get started—but it could save you months of stress and thousands of dollars in missed compensation.