What is the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania?
A “statute of limitations” is a law that sets a time limit on your right to bring a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline set by this law and you try to file your case, the Pennsylvania court system will almost certainly dismiss your case, unless an exception applies to extend the deadline.
In Pennsylvania, as in most states, the statute of limitations that will affect a car accident lawsuit is the same as the larger one that applies to most personal injury cases. Specifically, 42 Pennsylvania Code Section 5524 says that “an action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another” must be brought within two years.In other words, after an accident where someone was injured or killed, any lawsuit regarding the accident must be filed within two years.
The timer on the statute of limitations for an injury case starts on the date of the accident. But if a car accident caused someone’s death, and the family or other representatives of the deceased person want to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash, the timer on the statute of limitations starts running from the date of the victim’s death.
In order to not miss the statute of limitations, it is best to speak to a car accident attorney right away.
Other Car Accident FAQs:
- Can A Passenger Be Liable For A Car Accident?
- How Do I Know If The Insurance Company Offered Me Fair Settlement?
- How Much Money Can I Expect As A Passenger in a Car Accident?
- I Was Involved in a Car Accident and Was Pretty Badly Injured. Do I Have to File a Claim Under Her Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage?
- I Was Involved in a Car Accident, but Had No Immediate Injuries. Now, I Feel My Injuries, What Should I Do?
- I Was The Victim of a Hit and Run Accident. What Should I Do Now?
- Should I Release My Medical Records to Another Driver’s Insurance Company?
- What Can You Do If You Are Injured in a Car Accident by an Uninsured Driver?
- What If The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Wants to Take a Recorded Statement?
- What Is A Reportable Accident in Pennsylvania?
- What Is The Difference Between Limited Tort and Full Tort Insurance Coverage?
- What Is The Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania?
- What to Do After Being Injured in a Car Accident in Erie?
- When Should I Contact A Lawyer After An Accident?
- While Driving to Work I Was Hit By Another Vehicle. What Happens If The Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
- Who May Be At Fault in a Weather Related Accident in Pennsylvania?
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