If you’re considering making a personal injury claim after any kind of accident, you might have heard about a rule known as the “statute of limitations.” Maybe you’ve even heard that compliance with this rule is crucial to your claim. But what is a statute of limitations, and how do these rules apply to a personal injury case? Perhaps most importantly, what are the consequences of failing to comply with the statute of limitations? Read on for the answers.
What is a Statute of Limitations?
Simply put, a statute of limitations is a state law that sets a strict deadline on a prospective plaintiff’s right to file a lawsuit in court. If you wait too long to get your civil case started, you effectively lose the right to have the court hear your case at all. In the context of an injury case, that means getting the personal injury complaint filed in civil court. Learn more about how and where to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Different States Follow Different Deadlines
Every state has spelled out statutes of limitations in their state codes, with different deadlines for different kinds of civil cases.