Most accidents cause relatively minor injuries, and people recover quickly with no lasting effects. A few aspirin and perhaps a visit to the doctor just to double check everything and the accident can be forgotten--except for perhaps being a little more cautious next time you are in the same situation.
Not all accidents are that minor, unfortunately. Under certain circumstances, someone who is injured at the hospital, at a place of business, in a car accident, or even at home has grounds for a
personal injury lawsuit.
When should you consider filing personal injury lawsuits?
You are protected if you are injured by another person’s negligence, malpractice, or intentional wrongdoing. Car accidents are often caused by one party’s negligence, especially driver inattention or alcohol-related accidents.
How soon after the injury do I have to get the paperwork started?
You must file a suit within a reasonable amount of time after an accident or injury. This is called a statute of limitation, and each state’s laws vary about how long you have to file a suit or to press charges. The countdown for filing a lawsuit for a personal injury claim usually begins on the day of the accident.
However, under some circumstances, the countdown begins when the person who was injured discovers the injury or connects the dots to figure out the cause. If one of the parties in the suit is under 18, the statute of limitations may not begin to count down until that person turns 18.
Consult with an attorney familiar with the laws in your state to learn about the statute of limitations for your situation. Your attorney should be experienced in personal injury lawsuits if you are considering filing a suit. Many attorneys specialize in a particular type of claim and will help you navigate the confusing legal process to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you need to speak with a skilled
car accident lawyer,
medical malpractice attorney,
product liability attorney, or
wrongful death attorney, we urge you to speak with our
Birmingham, Alabama personal injury attorney for legal counsel.