– Does the opponent really have three years to make claims?

About three or four months ago, my wife touched another car when she was shunting. She exchanged the data with the accident opponent (a driving school) and I reported the damage to the insurance company the same evening. Since then, nothing visible has happened to me, so I asked my insurance company what was the status of things. Answer: The damage has been handed over to a lawyer, but he has not yet taken any further steps. I was told that the victim would have three years to make his demands. Seriously? Three years? Can that be? I mean in time as a causer I would have more than enough time to eliminate all traces of the accident. Apart from that, I want to sell the car in the foreseeable future, what is it then? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to press myself against anything, the damage should be settled already, but please promptly. I think that three years will last. It would be nice if someone could bring me light in the dark.