Many people will cite 2 years but that may not be accurate for your circumstances. What you may have heard about ‘two-year deadlines’ represents general information that cannot substitute for personalized legal advice.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering about filing deadlines. While California law does impose time limits for personal injury claims, the specific deadline for your case can only be determined by an attorney who understands your unique circumstances.
Have you been injured and are wondering how soon after you have to file a lawsuit? This blog entry will tell you:
- The strict time limits for personal injury claims in California
- Important information regarding the personal injury lawsuit process
- Why each day you wait is harming your case, and how acting immediately is in your best financial interest
If you’ve been injured due to negligence, then you are entitled to receive compensation from the guilty party. However, the State of California imposes a strict deadline known as a statute of limitations that limits the amount of time following an accident in which you are allowed to file a claim.
Not only is there a statute of limitations, the longer you wait, the more harm you are doing to the potential outcome of your case.
Here are some answers regarding how soon after an accident you have to file a lawsuit:
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?
California’s personal injury statute of limitations is often described as having a two-year timeframe, but numerous exceptions, special circumstances, and case-specific factors can significantly affect this deadline. Some of the types of cases that typically fall under California’s personal injury laws include:
Motor vehicle accidents
Motorcycle Crashes
Serious Injury Cases
Understanding when filing deadlines begin can be complex because it depends on your specific circumstances. Only a qualified attorney can determine when your ‘countdown’ actually started. Some general principles that may apply include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents: The deadline calculation typically begins on the accident date, but exceptions exist.
Accident-Related Deaths: When someone dies from accident injuries, the filing deadline for wrongful death claims typically starts from the date of death, not the accident date.
Property Damage Claims: Vehicle damage claims often follow different timing rules than personal injury claims.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against public entities typically have much shorter filing requirements and complex procedural rules.
These examples represent general legal concepts only. Determining your specific filing deadline requires analysis of your unique circumstances, including when injuries were discovered, your age, the type of accident, and many other factors that affect legal deadlines.
Some important information regarding the start date of your countdown:
- Discovery Rule: May apply when injuries aren’t immediately apparent
- Minority Provisions: Different rules may apply for minors
- Disability Considerations: Certain circumstances may affect timing calculations
- Fraudulent Concealment: When defendants hide relevant information
- Tolling Situations: Various circumstances that may pause deadline calculations
How does waiting to file a claim harm my case?
While the law may say you have a two-year limit to file your case, in reality, the deadline is much sooner. If you wait too long, you may severely decrease the size of the settlement you receive, or worse, lose the case entirely.
Click here for a visual representation of a typical personal injury claim timeline
The complexity of personal injury cases requires a dedicated team of lawyers to construct a case, prove the fault (known legally as “negligence”) of the person who hurt you, and calculate the damages you’ve suffered (for example, missed time at work, pain and suffering, and medical bills). The longer you wait, the less time we have to do this.
More importantly, the passage of time often obscures a witness’ memory. Since witness and expert testimony form the basis of many cases, the prosecution will use this against you, weakening your case and your attorney’s leverage when negotiating your settlement.
Should You Wait to File a Lawsuit in California?
No. One of the most critical reasons why you should not wait to file a lawsuit in California is the importance of timely filing. Filing a lawsuit on time ensures that you do not miss out on the opportunity to seek legal redress. Waiting too long to file a lawsuit can result in the case being dismissed by the court, leaving you with no legal recourse.
Evidence Preservation
Another critical reason why you should not wait to file a lawsuit in California is evidence preservation. Evidence is a crucial component of any lawsuit, and delaying the filing of a lawsuit can result in the loss of essential evidence. For instance, witnesses may relocate or forget important details, physical evidence may be lost or destroyed, and documents may become unavailable or destroyed. By filing a lawsuit promptly, you increase the chances of preserving crucial evidence that can be used to support your case.
Memories Fade Over Time
Human memory is fallible and fades over time. Waiting too long to file a lawsuit can result in fading memories, making it difficult to present a compelling case. For instance, witnesses may forget important details, and the plaintiff may forget specific events or circumstances surrounding the case. By filing a lawsuit promptly, you increase the chances of preserving accurate memories that can be used to support your case.
The Burden of Proof
In California, the burden of proof rests with the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. This means that the plaintiff must present sufficient evidence to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Waiting too long to file a lawsuit can make it challenging to gather sufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof. By filing a lawsuit promptly, you increase the chances of gathering sufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof and win the case.
The Cost of Delay
Delaying a lawsuit can also be costly. For instance, delaying a personal injury lawsuit can result in mounting medical bills and lost wages, resulting in financial hardship. Furthermore, delaying a lawsuit can lead to mounting legal fees as the case becomes more complex and takes longer to resolve.
The Impact of Delay on Settlements
Delaying a lawsuit can also impact settlements negatively. As time passes, the defendant may become less willing to settle, knowing that the plaintiff has limited legal options. Furthermore, the value of the settlement may decrease
Factors Affecting the Statute of Limitations
Several factors can affect the statute of limitations, including the discovery rule, minority rule, disability rule, fraudulent concealment, and tolling.
The discovery rule provides that the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the injury or damage.
Different types of cases have different statutes of limitations. For example, personal injury cases in California have a statute of limitations of two years, while breach of contract cases in California have a statute of limitations of four years.
How can I learn more about the limitations on my injury claim?
Personal injury claims are some of the most complex cases in law. The only way to know how the laws affects you, how much you can expect to win, and whether or not it’s too late to file is to contact personal injury attorneys in California immediately for a consultation.
Legal Disclaimer: While this article discusses the importance of prompt action, it cannot determine your specific filing deadline or legal strategy. Every case involves unique facts that affect both timing and legal approach. The information below explains why prompt legal consultation is generally advisable, but only an attorney who has reviewed your specific case can advise you on timing and strategy.
