Personal Injury Claims and the Statute of Limitations

Personal Injury Lawyer

When someone is injured as a result of another person’s negligence, that injured party may have a chance at a personal injury lawsuit. While every situation is unique, there are a lot of things that might warrant a claim. If you have been injured, it might be time to speak with an attorney about filing a lawsuit. Don’t get off track thinking you have all the time in the world, because the statute of limitations has probably started ticking.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations is a time limit an individual has to bring a lawsuit. In the case of personal injury, an individual has to get that lawsuit filed against the person responsible for the injury within a certain amount of time after sustaining the injury. If it doesn’t get filed in time, the injured party could miss the chance to receive compensation.

When Does the Statute Start Ticking?

In most cases, the statute of limitations begins the day the injury takes place. There are some exceptions, however, and that is something you should be aware of. For example:

  • If an injured individual is in a coma following the accident, he or she can’t file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations wouldn’t begin until the patient woke up and a physician declared the individual mentally competent.
  • If an injured individual is under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, he or she can’t file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations would begin on the child’s 18th

When Does the Statute Run Out?

Every state has different laws regarding the statute of limitations for personal injury. If you live in one state and your friends live over the border in another state, you might have a different time limit, so be sure you’re not taking advice from someone who doesn’t understand this fact. For example, Utahns have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but their friends up in Idaho only have two years. If someone in Utah told an injured friend in Idaho they had four years to bring a claim, that injured Idahoan could be in trouble.

Getting Started With Legal Representation

Personal injuries can take on a whole new life of their own with legal issues that have to be handled on top of medical care. If you are dealing with a personal injury, seek legal representation by contacting a lawyer today. Contact an attorney like a personal injury lawyer, at the law offices of Davis & Brusca, LLC, for more information.