You were going about your day, running your planned errands in your car when, BAM, another vehicle hit yours. The incident caused you to suffer physically, financially and emotionally. If you want to seek compensation, you may do so by filing a personal injury claim in an Oklahoma civil court.
When a car accident occurs, one of the last things on a person’s mind is compensation. Most people concern themselves only with getting the help they need and recovering. However, waiting too long to seek compensation for any losses endured may not be a wise decision, as there is a statute of limitations on taking legal actions in such cases.
Statute of limitations is…
The state sets limits regarding how long you have to bring a civil action against another party. They do this so that those accused of causing harm do not have to live with the never-ending threat of litigation dangling over their heads. The state has also set limits in order to preserve the integrity of any evidence.
There are different limitations set for different things. When it comes to car accidents that result in injury, the law gives victims two years from the date of injury to file legal actions against the responsible party.
What if an injury is not immediately apparent?
The state has laws for this as well. Following a car accident, the extent of some injuries is not immediately apparent. If a new injury presents itself days, weeks or months later, one may use that date as the incident date in personal injury claims. This is something called the discovery rule.
Go ahead and wait, but not for too long
It is okay to wait after an injury from a car accident to pursue civil claims against the individuals responsible for your losses. Take time to recover. Take time to gather evidence. Take time to prepare yourself for the difficult road that may lie ahead. Just don’t wait too long.
If you fail to file a personal injury claim in the time allotted, you are giving up your right to seek compensation for your losses. As some accidents can result in devastating physical and financial losses, seeking compensation could help you and your family as you adjust to your life post injury.
