Posted on Monday, December 10th, 2018 at 12:11 am
If a person injures you through negligence, recklessness, or other wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. A personal injury claim may arise from a variety of incidents including auto accidents, dog bites, falls, bicycle accidents, defective products, and pedestrian accidents. It is important to consult with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your claim. State laws restrict the time to file personal injury lawsuits in California.
When Should I File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
California’s Statute of Limitations has a two-year deadline for most personal injury lawsuits. If the victim was unaware of the injury, the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit might be one year from the date the injury was discovered. However, you cannot always rely on the two-year rule in all cases. In some cases, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit may be shorter or longer than the deadline in a typical case.
For example, if a government agency or employee is a defendant in the case, you usually must file a claim with the agency within six months to protect your right to file a personal injury lawsuit. When the injured victim is under 18 years of age at the time of injury, the statute of limitations is tolled until the person’s eighteenth birthday. The statute of limitations begins to run after the person reaches 18 years of age.
It is best to contact a Sacramento personal injury attorney as soon after the accident as possible. Calculating the statute of limitations for your case can be complex. There could be a factor in your case that shortens or lengthens the statute of limitations. In addition to ensuring you file your claim before the deadline expires, it usually takes time to obtain the information, documentation, and evidence necessary to prepare a personal injury lawsuit for filing.
How Can An Attorney Help Me With a Personal Injury Claim?
It is common to be overwhelmed after you or a loved one is injured in an accident. You have many things to deal with, including medical treatment and financial matters. A personal injury attorney can help you by explaining your legal options and the steps you need to take to protect your right to receive compensation from the party who caused your injury.
An attorney conducts a thorough accident investigation to determine the cause of the accident and gather evidence proving fault. In addition, the attorney identifies the party or parties liable for damages. It is important to have evidence to prove fault and identify the liable parties. Fault and liability are two of the necessary elements in a personal injury lawsuit.
Proving damages is another key element in a personal injury claim. Your attorney works closely with you to document your damages to maximize the amount of compensation you can receive for your claim.
In many cases, a claim may be settled outside of court. However, if the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, you need an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney on your side to protect your rights.
Call Now for a Free Case Review with a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
To schedule a free consultation with an attorney, call The Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or contact us online.
