The Shoulder
The Shoulder
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Car accidentscalm-bison-514

Moving across the country while my accident case is still open — will this mess everything up?

So here's my situation and I'm honestly kind of panicking about it.

About eight months ago I got rear-ended pretty badly on the highway. The other driver was clearly at fault — they didn't even dispute it at first. I've been working with an attorney and we've got a deposition coming up in roughly six weeks. The problem is my spouse just got a really significant job offer in another state and we basically have to move within the next month or so. Like, this isn't optional, it's a life-changing opportunity we can't pass up.

I'm terrified this is going to blow up my case. Some questions swirling around in my head:

  • Does physically living in a different state affect my ability to continue with the lawsuit where the accident happened?
  • Will I have to fly back for court appearances or depositions? That could get expensive fast.
  • Could the other side's attorneys use this against me somehow?
  • Does my current attorney even handle cases like this if I'm out of state?

I've already left my attorney a voicemail but haven't heard back yet and I'm spiraling a little. My family is excited about the move and I don't want my accident drama to overshadow all of that, but I also don't want to lose out on compensation for injuries I'm genuinely still dealing with.

Has anyone gone through something similar? Did relocating mid-case cause you major headaches or did it end up being manageable? Any insight would mean a lot right now.

13replies

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13 replies

  • 17
    quiet-kestrel-092

    Also worth thinking about — if you're still treating for your injuries, make sure you transition your care to providers in the new state without any big gaps. Gaps in medical treatment can sometimes be used to argue your injuries weren't that serious. Get referrals before you go and schedule your first appointment in the new city as soon as you're settled.

    • 4
      tired-dreamer146

      Thanks for sharing. Hope things are getting a little easier for you.

  • 15
    curious-mole-373

    I moved states while my case was still going and honestly it was way less catastrophic than I feared. My attorney handled almost everything remotely. I had to video-call in for one deposition and drove back once for a hearing, but that was it. Keep the lines of communication open with your lawyer and make sure they have every new address and phone number the second you land.

  • 15
    plain-finch-988

    From a process standpoint, the court just needs to be able to reach you reliably. As long as your attorney keeps your contact info current with the court and you stay responsive, moving itself isn't usually grounds for anything bad to happen to your case. What DOES matter is that you don't miss any scheduled appearances or deadlines during the chaos of packing and moving. Put every court date on multiple calendars with alerts right now.

  • 14
    brave-swan-863

    Just a heads up — the other side's insurance team may try to use your out-of-state move as a pressure point. Like, 'oh it'll be so inconvenient for you to keep coming back, why not just settle now.' Don't fall for that. They do it on purpose to lowball people who are already worn out and distracted. Stay patient.

    • 0
      curious-driver376

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.

  • 12
    steady-grouse-593

    Not legal advice, but generally speaking, where YOU live doesn't determine where a lawsuit is filed — that's typically tied to where the accident happened or where the defendant is located. Your physical address changing mid-case usually doesn't torpedo anything. That said, you absolutely need to loop in your attorney ASAP, not just a voicemail. Send a follow-up email today so there's a paper trail. Courts sometimes require updated contact info on record too.

  • 12
    clever-raven-544

    Stop spiraling and just make the call happen. Email, text, whatever it takes to get your attorney on the phone today. This is a completely solvable problem but you need actual information from the person handling your case, not worst-case scenarios in your head. Go do it right now.

    • 0
      level-co-pilot669

      Saving this whole thread. Really appreciate the honesty here.

  • 10
    calm-otter-923

    I used to work on the insurance side and I can confirm what the person above said is real. When adjusters see a claimant going through a major life change — move, job switch, whatever — there can absolutely be internal conversations about whether that person is more likely to accept a quick, lower offer just to be done with it. Know your case value before you entertain any settlement talk.

    • 3
      gentle-parent700

      How long did it end up taking in your case?

    • 5
      soft-spoken-offramp759

      Adding this: keep copies of every email. It mattered for me.

  • 9
    tidy-lynx-901

    Oh gosh, the timing of this is so stressful — I really feel for you. Congrats on the exciting move though! Hopefully your attorney calls back soon and gives you some peace of mind. Don't let this ruin what sounds like a huge positive moment for your family.