No one wants to be involved in a car accident. At best, it’s a frustrating inconvenience. At worst, you’ll be injured and in pain, sometimes severely. All it takes is for one other person to make a mistake and you’ll find yourself struggling from day to day and wondering what you should do next. Your best option may be a personal injury lawsuit, but you can’t afford to delay.
There’s a legal time limit
Everyone on the road has a responsibility to drive their vehicle safely and reasonably, so that accidents are avoided and we all make it home. But the reality is that some people don’t take that responsibility seriously enough. When they fail in their duty and you’re injured in the process, they’re legally negligent and can be held accountable for their actions.
Virginia gives you the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who injured you, so that you may be made whole again. However, Virginia also puts a time limit on your right – you must file your lawsuit within two years. If you do not, you lose the right to sue forever.
There’s also a practical time limit
Two years may sound like a long time, but there’s another time limit that can have a big impact on your case – the investigation that will determine its success or failure. Personal injury lawsuits depend upon evidence and that evidence must be collected. The problem is, the more time passes, the more that evidence degrades. Witness memories fade and necessary documents get lost, unless they are preserved quickly.
A personal injury lawsuit is a powerful tool available to you, but it’s most effective when it’s begun without delay. If you were injured in a car accident, speak to a professional who is experienced in personal injury law. They can get the process started sooner, rather than later, to give you the best chance to succeed.