Those who have been in auto accidents only have a short window of time to file a claim and contact a car accident attorney. In California, accident victims are required to file their lawsuit within two years of the accident date. However, this statute of limitations may be extended in select cases, such as accidents in which a child was injured. Claims against a government body must be made within six months of the accident date. In any case, reach out to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to increase your chances of a successful settlement.