Have you or a loved one been injured in an automobile, truck or bus accident or suffered another type of personal injury in California? If you answered yes, and are considering taking legal action to recover financial damages against the individual[s] or business entity that injured you, it would be prudent to act now. Under California law, there is a statute of limitations, or deadline for filing a lawsuit, for bringing personal injury claims. A skilled personal injury attorney can discuss your specific timeline with you in further detail.
For a number of reasons, California requires that most lawsuits ‘be filed within a certain amount of time.’ Additionally, in general, ‘once the statute of limitations on a case “runs out,” the legal claim is not valid any longer.’ Do not let this unfortunate situation happen to you or a loved one. If you have been injured in a car accident as a result of a third party’s negligence, you deserve to have an experienced auto accident lawyer in the San Fernando Valley fight for your legal rights.
In terms of a general deadline for bringing a personal injury lawsuit in California, the suit must be filed two years from the date of the injury. There are exceptions to this rule, including one that states if the injury was not discovered right away, the injured victim (the plaintiff) has one year from the date the injury was discovered to file the claim. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you determine the date your injury was first ‘discovered’ and discuss your ability to potentially recover financial compensation for your injury.
Injury victims should also be aware that the statute of limitations may vary depending on the circumstances of the case. For example, when a public entity (such as a city bus driver) is at fault for causing an injury or death, you must file a claim with the government entity within six months of the incident. There are also special rules relating to minors, the details of which your injury lawyer can discuss with you. In addition to the statute of limitations, there are other important reasons for pursuing your case right away, including to make sure that evidence, such as a motor vehicle, is preserved and not destroyed.
In almost every personal injury case, the sooner you speak to an attorney, the more effective we can be and the more likely you are to recover financial damages for lost wages, hospital bills, and other damages. You do not have to do this alone.
If you or a loved one is ready to bring a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, contact experienced auto accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
