If you have been in a car accident and are looking to hire a personal injury lawyer, it is important to understand the time limit of California’s statute of limitations. Most, if not all personal injury cases, whether it be a car accident, dog bite, slip-and-fall generally have a time limit of two years from the date of injury to bring forward a claim. This means that you have two years to file a claim with the court. Below, we are going to go over the statute in more detail, as well as some exceptions to California’s personal injury statute of limitations. statute.
We know that most people are not going to memorize or even remember civil codes. And that is okay. California Civil Code 335.1 is the official civil code for personal injury statute of limitations. It states that the injured party has “Within two years: an action for assault, battery, injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act of another” to seek a lawsuit and or seek compensation for their injuries.
California Civil Code Section 335.1
Filing a lawsuit or claim after more than two years have passed is almost guaranteed to have your case dismissed in court. This is one of the main reasons we always tell people to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately after they have been injured. You can lose the right to seek damages, no matter how severe your injuries, if you wait too long.
Take note that not only is it two years to file a lawsuit, but the filing deadline is crucial when your attorney is in settlement negotiations with the insurance company. Meaning, that your attorney has 2 years from the date of injury to settle your claim with the insurance company. Therefore, waiting too long to get in touch with an attorney can do more harm than good to your case. And your attorney may not have as much leverage for your case if the insurance company sees that you waited too long to file a claim.
Insurance adjusters and insurance companies are looking out for their best interests in every case. It is a part of their job. And when they see that you waited to file a claim or perhaps waited to seek treatment after your accident, they will use this to their advantage and will low-ball your settlement greatly.
Like anything, there are some exceptions to the statute of limitations rule. These rules are very specific and we have outlined them below:
You are still able to file a claim and seek a settlement under these exceptions. However, you need to have an accident lawyer who has experience working with people injured due to the negligence of another. You need an attorney who is familiar with California’s personal injury statute of limitations and how to navigate and deal with insurance adjusters.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a car accident or other incident and need to talk to a local personal injury lawyer in Orange County, do not hesitate to contact Silverthorne Attorneys and get your questions answered today. We have offices in Ladera Ranch, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim and work with clients throughout Southern California. Consultations are free!
Silverthorne Attorneys is a personal injury law firm that serves clients injured clients. Our goal is to help injured people and their families get back on their feet after suffering from serious injuries. We are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve in order to make a full recovery.