What is the Statute of Limitations on a Personal Injury Claim?

When you’re injured in an accident or as a result of someone else’s actions, there are natural consequences you’ll have to deal with. You’ll likely be burdened with medical bills that are a result of receiving medical treatment for your injuries. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may not be able to work, which will result in the loss of income. The loss of income could increase the difficulty of your financial situation because your monthly bills won’t be put on hold. After an accident, many people find themselves wondering what to do and who can help them navigate this tough time in their life.

If you incurred injuries because of someone else’s actions, you might be able to recover some, or all, of what you’ve lost through a personal injury claim. By filing a lawsuit for your injuries, you may be able to receive help with things such as medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for your pain and suffering. The law only permits you to file a personal injury claim for a certain amount of time after your accident. This period of time is called the statute of limitations, and after it has passed, you will not be able to file a claim.

To learn more about North Carolina’s limits on filing a lawsuit after a personal injury accident, call Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys today at (980) 237-4579, or reach out through our online form.

What is a Statute of Limitation?

Simply put, a statute of limitation is the amount of time you have to file a legal claim after someone commits an actionable offense. When that time runs out, you cannot initiate a legal case against that person for their actions. For example, say someone rear-ended you, causing damage to your car in addition to injuries that caused you to miss out on school and work. If you don’t initiate a case against that person within three years, you will not be able to file charges at all. All states have some form of limitation on the time you have to file a complaint after you’ve suffered harm.

What is the Time Limit on a Personal Injury Claim in North Carolina?

The statute of limitation on a North Carolina personal injury claim is set forth in North Carolina General Statutes § 1-52. This law declares that if you were injured in any accident, you must file a lawsuit for your injuries within three years of the date of the incident that caused you harm. This is an important distinction: you do not have three years from the first day your injuries cause you to miss work or another important responsibility. Rather, you have three years from the day the injuries themselves occurred (i.e. the accident) to file a civil suit.

Claims Against the Government Follow the Same Timeline

If your personal injury claim arises from the actions of the government of North Carolina, there is a specific process you’ll have to go through in order to obtain compensation. The statute of limitations, however, remains the same; you have three years from the day the injuries you suffered injuries to file a personal injury claim against the government.

Have Questions About Your Personal Injury Claim? Talk to a Lawyer Today

Hiring a good lawyer is the first step towards putting together a successful personal injury claim. For any Charlotte-area personal injury cases, contact Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys for help. Whether you have questions about the statute of limitations, compensation, or the legal process, our attorneys will help with every step of the process. Every case is unique, and we need to know the details of your situation to ensure we can properly fight for you to obtain the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today at (980) 237-4579, or by reaching out through our online form.