Oak Lawn Car Accident Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is the period of time a person can file a claim or lawsuit filing following an incident. Failure to so in the time period results in a complete bar to recovery. An experienced car accident lawyer could help someone file a claim within the Oak Lawn car accident statute of limitations. If you have been in a car wreck, you should speak with a seasoned attorney as soon as possible.

When Does the Statute of Limitations Begin?

It is important to accurately document when the Oak Lawn car accident statute of limitations begins to run. In all car accident cases, the statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident. The length of the statute of limitations or the time a person must settle their claim or file a lawsuit can vary. It may be one year or two years depending on who caused the accident, but the date the statute of limitations begins is the same.

Statute of Limitations Length in Car Wrecks

The statute of limitations for most Oak Lawn car accident cases is two years. This means a person must settle their claim or file a lawsuit within two years of the accident or they lose their right to recovery. There are certain exceptions that shorten the statute of limitations in car crash cases to one year.

When a person is in an accident with a municipal bus or a car driven by a municipal employee or a police officer, the statute of limitations is only one year. It is essential for someone involved in an accident to consult with an accomplished personal injury attorney who can ensure that their rights are protected.

What is the Statue Limitations for Minors?

There are certain limited circumstances when the statute of limitations can be extended. When the injured party is under 18, the statute of limitations is extended or tolled. The law holds that someone under 18 does not have the legal right to bring a lawsuit.

Therefore, the statute of limitations for someone under 18-years-old does not begin on the date of the accident as it does for everyone else. The statute of limitations for a minor under the age of 18 begins on the day they turn 18.  The statute of limitations for minors is their 19th or 20th birthday, not two years from the date of the accident.

When Trials go Beyond the Statute of Limitations

Oak Lawn car wreck statute of limitations are easy to comply with and there are two ways to do so. First, if a person settles their case before the statute of limitation expires, they do not need to be concerned about the statute of limitations.

The other way to comply with the statute of limitations is to file a lawsuit. As long as it is filed before the statute of limitations expires, the person satisfies the legal requirement. Lawsuits can last well beyond the statute of limitations date and frequently do. As soon as the person files a lawsuit, they do not need to worry further about the statute of limitations.

How an Oak Lawn Car Wreck Attorney Could Help

It is imperative to hire a knowledgeable lawyer to ensure that you are complying with the Oak lawn car accident statute of limitations. While the statute of limitations in most car accident cases is two years, there are circumstances when it can be one year. A person does not want to lose their legal rights by not understanding the applicable statute of limitations when a lawyer can easily confirm the proper date of compliance with the statute. There are no excuses when a person misses the statute of limitations deadline. A lawyer knows this and makes sure your rights are protected by complying with the proper statute of limitations.