Have you imagined how harmful procrastination can be to a personal injury case? Getting favorable outcomes in a personal injury depends on several factors. Key among these factors include engaging experienced personal injury attorneys, presenting high-integrity evidence, and having expert witnesses.
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In addition to these, although often overlooked, is the legal clock. The statute of limitations is a key determinant of the outcome of a personal injury case. From the time an accident occurs, the legal clock begins ticking for those seeking to file a case to get compensation for the injuries or damage suffered.
What is the Statute of Limitations in Personal Injury Law?
The constraints brought about by the complex legal clock in a personal injury law comprise the statute of limitations. These define the time limits within which a victim of an accident (the plaintiff) must file a lawsuit after suffering injuries.
This time frame varies from one jurisdiction to another. For instance, in Atlanta, Georgia, plaintiffs have two years from the time of injury, within which they must file a personal injury lawsuit.
Visiting great legal websites like https://buckheadlawgroup.com/ is the best way to get informative details of what you need to do immediately after an accident, in addition to getting in contact with experienced personal injury lawyers.
What about injuries or damages discovered much later? Some injuries, such as exposure to toxic substances or medical malpractice, may show symptoms a long time after their occurrence.
The discovery rule acknowledges such cases and gives plaintiffs an opportunity for justice. According to the discovery rule, the legal clock starts ticking when the injuries become reasonably discoverable as opposed to when they occurred.
Navigating Statute of Limitations
The aftermath of an injury, which is physical, financial, and emotional, often poses a major challenge to plaintiffs in their efforts to navigate the statute of limitations. For instance, if one is severely injured, there is the challenge of physically moving to file a lawsuit and get the necessary assistance.
The injuries sustained by victims always attract financially heavy medical services. This subsequently deprives them of the financial muscles necessary to file a lawsuit and seek compensation within the required time.
Hiring a contingency fee law firm will save you from financial challenges. You will not be required to pay upfront fees to get the legal representation you need in your personal injury case.
Additionally, if you do not get any payment upon settlement of the case, you will not owe the law firm any money. Having experienced personal injuries, lawyers also play a critical role in solving physical challenges.
The attorneys take over any other activities related to the case, leaving the plaintiff with ample time to concentrate on getting appropriate medical attention and healing.
Personal injury attorneys serve two key roles in navigating the statutes of limitations:
- Determining applicability; the timeframe within which you must file the lawsuit depends on the nature of the case and jurisdiction. Your attorney will be able to advise accordingly.
- Developing a plan to navigate it; the lawyers identify the key legal activities related to the personal injury case. Thereafter, they structure these activities accordingly to ensure they fit within the determined timelines.
Final Words on Limitations in Personal Injury Law
Failing to adhere to the statute of limitations will result in the loss of your rights to compensation. This would mean that you won’t recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
This is why you need to file a case as soon as possible. Apart from this, delayed case proceedings can compromise the integrity of evidence. Always engage a skilled personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the statute of limitations effectively.
