How Statute Of Limitations Can Affect Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, you may qualify to file a personal injury claim and receive monetary compensation. This can help you cover medical bill expenses and replace lost wages if your injury left you unable to work. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your team is essential and will help you prove your case and file your claim as soon as possible. It is important that your claim be filled as soon as possible due to each states statute of limitations. This is a statute that says any personal injury claim must be filed within a certain time frame. If you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, you will lose your legal right to sue and collect monetary compensation for your injury.
Statute of Limitations and Your Personal Injury Claim
The statute of limitations varies from one state to the next. It can also vary depending on the type of personal injury claim being filed. For example, medical malpractice cases often have a shorter statute of limitations than other personal injury claims, and cases involving minors have longer time frames. In fact, the statute of limitations often doesn’t begin to run out until the injured party turns 18. It is always best to speak to a lawyer and begin the process of filing a claim as soon as you are able. This will help to eliminate the question of whether or not you are within your state’s statute of limitations.
What to do if you May Have a Personal Injury Claim
The first thing you should do after being injured in an accident is to seek medical attention. Your life and well-being are far more important than a lawsuit or potential compensation. However, after your injuries have been treated, your next step is to speak to a personal injury lawyer if you wish to file a personal injury claim. Your lawyer can advise you on the documentation you will need to prove your case; this usually includes copies of your medical bills and any police reports that may have been filed. Speaking with your personal injury lawyer will not only give insight on the documentation needed, but it will also set expectations on what you can expect in compensation and time.
Again, you should file a personal injury claim as soon as you are able; this is to ensure that you don’t miss your state’s statute of limitations. However, there are times in which the severities of an accident’s injuries don’t present themselves until after a great length of time. If this is the case, your lawyer can help you determine if you can still file a personal injury claim.
If you live in Pittsburgh or the surrounding area and would like to file a personal injury claim, the Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers here at Goldberg, Persky & White can get you started. For more information, call our experts today.
