Terre Haute Car Accident Statute of Limitations

If you were injured in a car accident, you might be wondering about your legal options. Injuries from serious collisions can leave you and your loved ones with expensive medical bills and other damages. You should not be left to face these expenses when someone else is to blame. A successful car accident claim can reimburse you for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other related harm.

However, there are strict procedural requirements to remember, such as the Terre Haute car accident statute of limitations, which are laws for filing personal injury claims against those responsible for a wreck. Although filing a lawsuit after a severe collision might be the least of your concerns, a tenacious car accident attorney from Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin can handle your claim and ensure you comply with the applicable deadlines.

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

A statute of limitations is a law that governs how long an injured person has to file a claim against responsible parties for a car accident in Terre Haute. While the specific deadlines vary from state to state, filing a car accident claim within this period is critical. Those who miss the statute of limitations lose their right to financial compensation.

In Indiana, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is two years from the date of the incident. This statute covers personal injuries as well as property damage to a vehicle. Filing even one day past this time limit will result in a dismissal or denial from the insurance company. Given that two years is not a significant amount of time to file a claim, motorists injured in a car accident should seek the assistance of a practiced lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner an attorney opens a case, the sooner they can gather the necessary evidence to support the claim and file the necessary paperwork to adhere to the two-year deadline.

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

In most cases, if a car accident claim is not filed within the set period, the injured motorist loses their right to compensation. However, there are limited exceptions to this rule. Some exceptions to the general statute of limitations for car accident claims in Terre Haute include the following:

Minors

If a minor child has been injured in a car accident in Indiana, the two-year limit is tolled until they reach the age of majority or their eighteenth birthday.

People with Disabilities

Those who are physically or mentally disabled and cannot file a claim have two years from when their legal disability status is removed. For example, if someone was injured in a car accident and was declared legally disabled due to a coma or other debilitating injury, they would have two years to file a claim from the date they are no longer considered disabled. However, a personal representative may also bring the claim on their behalf.

Governmental Entity

If a governmental entity is involved such as the state, county, or city, a Tort Claim must be filed within 180-days of the date of the negligence.

Consult a Terre Haute Attorney About How the Statute of Limitations Applies to Your Car Wreck Case

If you have been injured in a car accident in Terre Haute, investigating can be time confusing such as retaining the necessary experts, identifying all at-fault parties, and filing a claim for injuries and other losses. Every moment counts toward the Terre Haute car accident statute of limitations.

At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our knowledgeable attorneys aim to provide quality representation to clients during this difficult time. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, you need a legal team that you can trust. Contact us today to schedule a case evaluation.