Knowing All About The Statute Of limitations For Auto Accidents In California
More often than not, those recovering from the trauma of an auto accident are struck with a challenging situation. While legal recourse may be necessary, there is so much currently going on that it can be challenging to start the process. Medical bills, recovery, getting your life back together, and moving forward all take precedence, sometimes resulting in you losing your chance to get the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Within the state of California, you will have a two-year period of time if you want to file a lawsuit relating to an auto accident. Be aware, the countdown for this begins the moment the accident occurs. If you fail to file the lawsuit prior to this time, then you will be unable to file a lawsuit and you will forfeit your right to sue the other party. The period of time that you can act is known as the statutory period and the statute of limitations is designed to set the time when this right is lost. All of this can be found in the Civil Procedure Section 335.1 of the California Code.
If You Are Past The Deadline, There May Still Be Hope
There are a number of special conditions when the statute of limitations is expanded beyond the two years set by the state. There is also one that you should be aware of as it dramatically reduces the statute of limitations actionable time. If you are in an accident with anything that is a public entity, including things like the state, county, or city, then you have only 6 months of time to file a claim before you lose the right.
In other special cases, you will be granted additional time to file. For example, the statute of limitations can be extended if the accident involved someone who was found to be mentally incompetent when they were involved in the accident. There are also extensions frequently give to children under the age of 18 as well as those turning 18 during the filing time, providing more opportunities to pursue the lawsuit.
In any case, you will want the best team of car attorney’s that Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange counties can provide. This is where Avrek Law Firm comes in. With years representing our clients and defending their right for proper compensation with auto accidents, we will be with you every step of the way. Please our car accident attorneys at Avrek Law Firm at 866-598-5548 for a free consultation.
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