Personal injury cases can result in significant financial and emotional losses for the injured person and their family. In Virginia, the law imposes a deadline for asserting one’s rights in a potential personal injury legal claim that is referred to as the statute of limitations.
Understanding the statute of limitations is essential to personal injury settlement negotiations and taking an injury case to court. This article will explain what a statute of limitations is and how it applies to personal injury cases in Virginia.
Statute Of Limitations: What Is It?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. The limitations are set to establish a reasonable time limit on pursuing legal rights. So those rights cannot be asserted beyond its time limit to not create an unfair situation for those potentially legally liable.
Each state legislature sets the limitations for actions brought in that state, and special rules apply to personal injury claims against the Commonwealth of Virginia or a Virginia municipality.
Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injury Cases In Virginia
In Manassas, Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases sets a two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit for almost all types of personal injury cases, starting from the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline, the court will summarily dismiss the case.
There are exceptions to the filing deadline, such as if the injured person is under 18 years of age, incapacitated, or the defendant obstructed the filing of the lawsuit. It’s also possible for more than one statute of limitations to apply to an injury case resulting in multiple claims.
Exceptions To Statute Of Limitations
Exceptions to the limitations are limited to injuries to minors or mentally incapacitated individuals. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be extended if the injured person didn’t discover the injury until later or if the defendant concealed the injury. However, it’s essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if an exception applies to your case.
Why Is The Statute Of Limitations Important?
The purpose of the statute of limitations is to prevent fraudulent and stale claims, avoid problems with evidence and protect defendants. If you miss the deadline, you will not receive any compensation for your injuries or property damage. Therefore, it’s essential to act quickly and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if you have a valid legal claim.
Get Legal Help At The Irving Law Firm
If you need legal help call The Irving Law at Manassas, Virginia today. It offers a wide range of services to help clients with their personal injury cases. Its award-winning attorneys understand the cases’ impact on their clients’ lives. So they strive to make sure their clients feel maximally supported and protected.
The attorneys at The Irving Law Firm will fight for their client’s rights and use their experience and resources to help their clients in any way they can. They can help you with the documents and paperwork and make sure to submit the necessary forms on time. All they want to do is to help their clients, especially in this trying time of their lives.
Further, they will explain the process step by step and tell you what to expect. That way, you don’t have to worry about anything and can focus on your recovery. So contact them now to talk to these award-winning attorneys to ensure a positive outcome for your case.
Summary
Understanding the statute of limitations is essential to personal injury settlement negotiations and taking an injury case to court. In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. Exceptions to the limitations are limited to injuries to minors or mentally incapacitated individuals.
It’s also possible for more than one statute of limitations to apply to an injury case resulting in multiple claims. If you have suffered a personal injury or property damage, it’s essential to act quickly and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if you have a valid legal claim within the applicable statute of limitations.