Every state has its own law regarding the statute of limitations for personal injury claims. A statute of limitations is a deadline within which an individual is required to file or settle their personal injury lawsuit. For example, if you suffered a car accident in Washington state many years ago, you are not able to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for it decades later. You must do so in a prompt, timely manner, but the specific deadline, or statute of limitations, varies from case to case.
In Washington state, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is different for different types of cases. It’s a slightly more complex law than it may seem. Most personal injury cases that deal with accidents or injuries that occurred due to someone else’s negligence have a three year statute of limitations. This means, you have three years from the actual date of your accident or injury to file your claim.
There are some exceptions to his rule, and there can be other deadlines that come into play regarding the statute of limitations and personal injury cases, so always discuss your situation with a lawyer first.
How Can I Ensure I Don’t Miss The Statute Of Limitations?
The most important way to ensure you do not miss any important deadlines is to contact a lawyer as soon as you have been injured or involved in an accident due to someone else’s negligence. Your lawyer will work hard to ensure your case is air-tight and free of any risk of missing these important dates. The longer you wait to call, the more issues may arise in the meantime.
If you fail to contact a lawyer and start the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit within the predetermined statute of limitations, you may not be permitted to receive compensation for the injuries or property damage you suffered from the accident.
What Other Deadlines Do I Need To Know Before Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Not all lawsuits are specifically personal injury claims that involve negligence, therefore not all claims carry the same statute of limitations. Cases that involve minors will have different deadlines than those who involve grown adults. Those who have latent injuries that don’t show up till later may be considered an exception as well. Those with injuries or diseases related to employment or their working environment will also have their own statute of limitations.
The only way to be fully aware of important dates or deadlines regarding your personal injury claim is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t wait – the sooner you call a Washington accident lawyer, the sooner you can get started on filing a strong personal injury case.
How Much Does It Cost To Consult With A Personal Injury Lawyer In Washington?
Not all accident lawyers in Washington offer a free, no-obligation consultation for their services. But, at Church & Page, we understand how hard it can be to recover after an accident, and charge nothing for your initial consultation. Speaking with one of our lawyers in order to see if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit comes at no cost to you.
What Can I Expect In My Initial Consultation With A Personal Injury Lawyer?
In your initial consultation, your personal injury attorney will listen to what happened to you. First and foremost, we take the time to understand exactly what happened in your accident case, in order to fully understand how you accrued your injuries and how the accident was caused in the first place. We take note of how the negligent party’s actions contributed to the accident, and will let you know if the incident is eligible to be filed as a personal injury claim.
Schedule A Free, No-Obligation Consultation With Church & Page Today
At Church & Page, we understand how hard it can feel to recover from an accident that occurred due to someone else’s negligence. After a bad accident, your life can feel like it is upside down, but it’s still important to call a lawyer right away for help. Remember, in the state of Washington, you may have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but there are some exceptions. The sooner you call a lawyer, the sooner you can start the process of getting the compensation you deserve.
Call Church & Page today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We help Washington accident victims get the compensation they deserve for car accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, and more.