When someone is injured and it’s because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, they could be entitled to compensation for their injuries and damages related to their accident.
It’s important to note, however, that there is a time limit to file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania. It’s known as the statute of limitations, and it bars claims after a certain period of time passes.
The Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Claim
Generally speaking, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases in our state and the timeline begins on the injury date.
In the case of personal injury, the statute of limitations encompasses all types of cases, including:
- Bicycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Auto Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Premise Liability
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Wrongful Death
The time limits to file a claim are in place to ensure cases are resolved in a timely manner. If a person fails to file a personal injury claim before time runs out, they could miss out on the chance to recover what they deserve, no matter how catastrophic their injuries or losses.
Exceptions to Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations
While the statute of limitations applies to most personal injury claims, there are some exceptions to the rule. That’s why it’s critical to reach out to a personal injury attorney after an accident, to ensure your claim is filed in time, and to see if you might still be able to file a claim, even after the two-year time limit.
Here are two examples of where the two-year rule may not apply:
- The injured victim was a minor and was not legally emancipated when the accident happened. In this case, the clock could start running when the child turns 18.
- If the victim didn’t begin to experience any symptoms related to the injury until after the statute of limitations expired, a “tolling” exception may come into play.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in York, Pennsylvania
At Dale E. Anstine Personal Injury Law firm, we know car accidents and other personal injury accidents can change someone’s life in an instant. Accident victims may not know what steps to take to recover compensation for their medical bills and how to navigate the deadlines involved in a personal injury case– that’s where we come in.
Our team of experienced attorneys has been fighting for personal injury victims for decades and can take on the stress of a personal injury lawsuit for you. We know how the legal system works and we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
We always offer free consultations for accident victims and never charge a fee unless we win your case. Recovering after a personal injury should be your focus – let us handle your claim.