Suffering an injury from a car accident can be a horrible experience. Aside from the physical pain you experience, there can be emotional trauma and financial difficulties. You may decide that a personal injury lawsuit is your best option – but you shouldn’t wait too long to act.
Legal time limits
Every driver on the road has a duty to drive with a reasonable amount of care. When someone fails in this duty, and injures you as a result, they are considered legally negligent. Alabama gives you the right to file a personal injury lawsuit in these circumstances, so that you may be made whole again.
However, at the same time Alabama gives you the right, it also places a time limit on that right, known as the statute of limitations. Generally speaking, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your suit. If you miss the deadline, you lose the right forever.
Practical time limits
Beyond the legal time restriction, there are also more practical concerns. The success of your case depends upon evidence. An investigation must be performed and that evidence must be collected, in the form of documents, witness statements or any other thing which may be relevant. The problem is that evidence can degrade as time passes – documentation can be disposed of and witness memories may fade.
Because of this, the sooner you act, the sooner that investigation can begin. Evidence is collected while it is fresh, rather than after it has become stale. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, seek the assistance of an experienced professional who can guide you through the process.
