According to Section 214 of New York’s Civil Practice Law & Rules, a person has three (3) years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. There are exceptions to the rule, including under Section 214-a, which requires that actions for medical, dental, or podiatric malpractice be brought within two years and six months. In addition, certain claims against a municipal or other governmental entity require a “Notice of Claim” to be filed in advance of bringing a lawsuit. The notice is intended to provide the governmental entity with the opportunity to investigate the claim while witnesses and other evidence is still available. New York’s General Municipal law Section 50-e requires the Notice of Claim to be filed within ninety (90) days after the claim arises. The failure to file the notice timely may prevent a subsequent lawsuit from proceeding. It is always helpful to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure a Notice of Claim is properly filed.