If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you have a limited amount of time in which to file a claim. This time period, known as a statute of limitations, varies from claim to claim and from state to state. In New York, the deadline is generally three years from the time of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you may be unable to recover compensation for your injury. This is one reason why it is so important to talk with a lawyer as soon as you suffer an injury.