Statute of Limitations: How Long Do You Have to Sue Someone for Personal Injury?

Someone sitting in a wheelchair in a hallway

After sustaining an injury due to another party’s negligence, you may file a personal injury claim. While this is the situation in most cases, most of the clients who visit Isaacs & Isaacs often ask a common question about the Statute of Limitations:

How Long Do I Have to Sue Someone For Personal Injury?

It is important that you understand and comply with the relevant statute of limitations that specify the time period to file a claim within your jurisdiction. This is the only way that you can answer this question.

Automobile injury lawsuits have a two-year limitation in most jurisdictions. So if you are one of the clients that have asked Darryl “The Hammer” Isaacs how long it takes to sue for personal injury caused by automobile accidents, you need to understand that it is two years.

Other personal injury claims, such as premises liability injuries, generally have a one-year statute of limitations period.

There may be limited exceptions to the time periods, so it is important to consult with an attorney. If the time to file a claim expires, the claim is forever barred.

If you intend to engage a reputable personal injury lawyer with a high success rate, Darryl “The Hammer” Isaacs will gladly help.

What Does This Mean?

What this means is that you must ensure that you pursue the matter within the specified time range from the date of the incident. This time limit is relevant when your injury was caused by negligence.

For instance, if you are involved in a car accident, the clock begins to run from the date the incident occurred.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you missed the statutory filing deadline, the defendant would point this out when you attempt to file a personal injury lawsuit.

In such situations, the most likely outcome is that your case will be dismissed.

Are There Exceptions to This Time Limit?

There may be limited exceptions to the statute of limitations:

If the accident occurs to you when you are under 18 years or if you have a qualifying disabling condition at the time of the incident.
If the defendant leaves or hides after the incident.
If there is a wrongful death claim.
Claims for medical malpractice.

Isaacs & Isaacs’ legal team is here to help you fight a personal injury claim to get maximum compensation. Your first step in this journey is to contact Darryl “The Hammer” Isaacs.