If you have suffered a serious injury either in a motor vehicle accident or at work, it is important to reach out to a doctor as quickly as possible. Then, do not forget to get a case consultation from a personal injury attorney. The statute of limitations might be ticking on your case, and you need to have your case reviewed and filed before the statute of limitations expires.
The statute of limitations is the time limit you have to file your case. Sometimes, the statute of limitations starts ticking from the original incident. In other cases, the statute of limitations starts from the time of discovery. The statute of limitations of personal injury cases can vary from state to state. It usually ranges between two and six years, but you need to hire a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the legal waters and get your case filed on time.
If you do not file your case before the statute of limitations is up, then you should expect it to be dismissed. No matter how strong your case might be, and no matter how overwhelming the evidence, you probably will not have your case heard if you file it after the statute of limitations has expired.
On the other hand, there are a few exceptions. For example, if the case involves a minor, then the statute of limitations might start ticking from the time the minor child turns 18. This could open the door to another case. Or, the statute of limitations could involve discovery. For example, if you suffered a serious injury or illness due to asbestos exposure, but the asbestos was not discovered until years down the road, then the statute of limitations might start from when the asbestos was found, not from when you first fell ill.
Because there are a lot of nuances involving personal injury law, it is important to work with a lawyer who can help you put your case in the best position possible to be successful. While it can be frustrating to suffer a serious injury or illness, remember that you do not have to go through this alone. A personal injury attorney can fight for your rights.
