Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Auto Accident > How Can a Statute of Limitations Impact a Car Crash Lawsuit?

How Can a Statute of Limitations Impact a Car Crash Lawsuit?

After a serious car crash in Shreveport or elsewhere in Louisiana, it can be difficult to focus any of your energy on an insurance claim or a lawsuit. To be sure, when injuries are severe and debilitating, or when they result in the death of a loved one, a lawsuit might be the last thing on the minds of the injury victim or their family. With nonfatal yet serious injuries, the injured party may require extensive medical care and physical therapy, in addition to dealing with the psychological ramifications of the collision. Yet if you or someone you love sustained severe or life-threatening injuries in a motor vehicle wreck, it is essential to begin thinking about a claim as soon as you can. If you wait for too long, the statute of limitations could prevent you from obtaining the compensation you deserve.

What is a statute of limitations, and how can it impact a car crash lawsuit? Our Shreveport auto injury attorneys can tell you more, and we are here to speak with you today about the particular details of your case.

What is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is a law that clarifies the amount of time a party has to file a lawsuit in a particular type of case. State laws all have statutes of limitations for personal injury cases, which means you will need to understand Louisiana’s personal injury statute of limitations and how it can affect your case.

How Do Statutes of Limitations Work?

How does a statute of limitations work? In short, a statute of limitations gives a party a particular number of days or years — a specific amount of time — to file a lawsuit. As soon as the event triggering the statute of limitations “clock” occurs (in a personal injury case, this date is usually the date of the injury, such as the date of a traffic crash), the “clock” begins ticking. Once that “clock” runs out, the claim becomes “time-barred” and an injured person is no longer eligible to obtain compensation through a civil lawsuit.

Louisiana’s Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

In Louisiana specifically, injured parties in car crashes and truck collisions have one (1) year from the date of the crash in most cases to file a lawsuit. Once a year has passed since the date of the collision, the claim will become time-barred.

Are There Exceptions?

You should never assume an exception — you should file quickly. However, there are some exceptions. For example, the statute specifically states that the statute of limitations does not run against minors, so people under 18 have a longer amount of time to file.

Contact a Shreveport Auto Injury Lawyer Today

Were you injured in a motor vehicle collision or truck crash in Louisiana? Now is the time to get in touch with one of the experienced Shreveport auto collision lawyers at Rice & Kendig, LLC. We can talk with you today to learn more about your case and can discuss your options with you for filing a claim. When you are ready to get started, we will represent your interests every step of the way. Contact us to learn more about seeking compensation for your injuries and lost wages in Louisiana.

Source:

legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=110515

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on February 7, 2024

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