If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence in a Southern California car crash, then you should file a personal injury lawsuit to seek damages. Financial compensation can help pay for your medical bills, ongoing treatment, time away from work, and more.
It is important that you do not wait too long after a car crash to file a lawsuit, since a statute of limitations is involved with these cases. A statute of limitations in a personal injury case places a specific length of time on pursuing a legal case against the negligent driver.
Failing to pursue the lawsuit during the required timeframe can lead to a dismissal of your case, even if it is a valid one. Following time limits in order to pursue damages, financial compensation, and other relief is important, as an injured victim could lose the right to file a lawsuit if the time limit expires.
In California, the statute of limitations for a car accident personal injury lawsuits depends on the type of case. For example, if your injury was caused by a driver of a city vehicle, you must file a claim within six months, or risk being barred from bringing a lawsuit. This is because a special section of California law requires that if you are injured by an employee of a governmental agency, like a city, county or state employee who is on the job at the time, you must file a claim within six months. The general time limit for other types of car crash injuries is two years from the date of injury. This means that you have a limited number of months after a California car crash to file a claim. Although this sounds like a lot of time, it is actually a limited amount, and you should speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. Also, keep in mind that there are some exceptions, which should be discussed with a lawyer.
Timing a lawsuit correctly requires some professional guidance. You don’t want to file it too early, as you may not have all of your evidence and medical documentation ready. Also, injuries may be discovered after your swelling goes down. You should hire an attorney immediately, as he or she will be able to preserve your evidence and explain to you when you should file your claim.
If injuries are not discovered until a later date, then there may be exceptions to these time limits. It is wise to seek the advice of an experienced Southern California personal injury attorney if you have been injured in a car crash. A qualified attorney will be able to explain the law to you and help you recover as much as possible following your Orange County car crash.
If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, herniated disc, back and neck injuries, fractured vertebrae, or any other type of injury, then you need to contact the Law Office of John P. Burns. Call (877) 320-1338 to speak with an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney today.
Also, you should download a FREE copy of our book, 9 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Vehicle Accident Case. This is a must-read for anyone dealing with the aftermath of an accident in California.