If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s carelessness, you might be considering filing a personal injury suit. You can consult Bakersfield personal injury lawyers to know whether or not now is the right time for you to file due to the statute of limitations.
What is the statute of limitations?
It is a legal term that refers to the length of time you have to file a personal injury case. The state laws of limitation can vary, although most states follow a formula similar to the following:
Two years for all pain and suffering claims. 2 years for medical expenses, loss of earnings, or inconvenience. Three years for all death claims. One year for breach of contract claims. One year for negligence claims against public entities and confident professionals. 2-3 years where there are no aggravating circumstances such as fraud or concealment by the defendant.
When does the statute of limitations time frame begin?
The statute of limitation time frame starts when the negligent party’s acts or omissions take place. This means that you could have up to 2 years from the date of the incident to file your case. If you can’t remember exactly when an incident happened, a qualified attorney can help you investigate and figure out the exact date of your injuries and whether or not it is too late for you to file a claim.
In most cases, someone else’s carelessness will lead to immediate injury. For instance, If you suffer a severe car accident and lose your job due to the company’s negligence. In such a case, you can file a claim on the date of the incident (such as when you lost your job). However, some negligent acts or omissions may not cause immediate harm. It’s important to note that negligence does not always lead to immediate injury.
When Should You File a Personal Injury case?
Filing a claim after the statute of limitations has expired can be one of the most important decisions you make. As a victim of another’s negligence, you may want to file your case as soon as possible. However, there are specific reasons why you should wait before filing your lawsuit.
You may want to consult with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the time limits for filing personal injury claims. This way, you’ll get legal advice for your specific situation – rather than following general statutes of limitation guidelines.