If you have been injured in an automobile accident, you do not have an indefinite period of time to bring a case against the parties responsible for your injuries. The amount of time that you have to bring a case about is known as the statute of limitations. This is a term that many people are not familiar with, but auto accident lawyers are. Read on to learn everything that you need to know about the statute of limitations and auto accident cases.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
The statute of limitations is essentially how much time you have to bring a case against the parties responsible for your injuries following a car accident. The statute of limitations can vary from state to state, but in most states and in most cases, you have two years to bring a claim about. If you fail to do so, you lose the right to bring a case against the responsible parties, thus losing the ability to collect compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and permanent injuries.
How Can Auto Accident Lawyers Assist When It Comes to the Statute of Limitations?
An auto accident lawyer can help you to understand what the statute of limitations is for your case. They can also ensure that the lawsuit is filed and served to the appropriate parties before the statute of limitations expires. This helps to preserve your right to pursue legal action against any parties that may be responsible for your injuries.
Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations?
There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations. For example, if a child under the age of 18 is injured in an automobile accident, the state's statute for filing a claim does not start ticking until the child reaches the age of 18. The statute may also not start ticking if there is reason to believe you did not realize you were injured right away. It is important to note that these exceptions are rare, and auto accident lawyers can help you determine if they are applicable to your case or not.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident that someone else had fault for, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the responsible parties. However, you have a limited amount of time to file that claim. An auto accident attorney can help you determine when your claim must be filed by and ensure your case is filed within the timeframe allowed by your state.
Contact a local law firm, such as Eisdorfer, Eisdorfer & Eisdorfer, to learn more.
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