Is There A Time Limit For Filing A Truck Accident Lawsuit In Pennsylvania?

How Long Can I Wait to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Injuries in an Accident?

Have you been injured in a large truck accident? Thousands of people are injured each year in commercial truck accidents throughout the United States. The NHTSA reports that 111,000 people were injured and 3,903 people were killed in large truck accidents during 2014. Over 70 percent of those injuries and fatalities were people in other vehicles. In other words, a very large majority of the victims in truck accidents are the people outside of the truck.

With the damages in truck accidents ranging in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, truck companies and insurance companies aggressively defend claims in truck accidents. Therefore, the companies may try to delay settling a claim until it is too late for the victim to file a lawsuit. The goal is to get past the statute of limitations without a lawsuit.  Why is this so important?

Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations

Each state has set a statute of limitations for civil actions.  These statutes limit the time a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit in a civil action.  The amount of time to file a lawsuit varies by state and by type of action. The common element is that if the victim does not file a lawsuit before the deadline in the statute of limitations, he loses his right to recover compensation from the party who caused the injury. If an insurance company can drag out negotiations beyond the time to file a lawsuit, you may receive nothing for your injuries.

In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit. If you fail to file a lawsuit or settle the case before the deadline expires, you receive nothing. You are responsible for all medical bills, lost wages, and other damages from the accident because you failed to file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the truck accident.

Are There Exceptions to The Statute of Limitations?

As with many rules, there are a few exceptions to the general 2-year rule for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania. The exceptions are very limited, and you should never proceed on the basis that your case falls within an exception.  It is always best to consult an Erie truck accident attorney as quickly as possible after your injury.

One exception to the statute of limitations involves minors injured in an accident. In most cases, the minor has until his or her eighteenth birthday to file a lawsuit for damages. Parents should NOT wait to hire an attorney. Truck accident claims are complex, and you need an attorney with experience handling this type of traffic accident case to being an immediate investigation to preserve evidence that is needed to prove fault. Proving fault is essential for recovering compensation in a lawsuit.

There are exceptions that can decrease the statute of limitations. For example, if your claim is against a government entity, you must file a notice of your claim within months of the accident to preserve you right to file a lawsuit. This is another example of why you don’t want to delay contacting an Erie truck accident attorney.

Call Our Office for A Free Appointment

Contact The Travis Law Firm by calling (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our Erie truck accident attorneys. Please don’t delay! Call right now for your free case evaluation so we can help you protect your right to receive money from the person or parties who caused your injuries.