Have I Missed the Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Being injured in a motorcycle accident can be very traumatic. Whether you are the driver or a passenger, you can suffer life-altering injuries that can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. The NHTSA reported an eight percent increase in motorcycle fatalities during 2015 (4,976 deaths). In Pennsylvania alone, 170 riders were killed that year in motorcycle crashes. The NHTSA also estimates that 88,000 motorcyclists were injured during 2015.
As experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys, we see how devastating an accident can be for the rider and his or her family. It is our goal to help motorcyclists and their families hold negligent drivers responsible when they cause accidents. Contact The Travis Law Firm toll free at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with an Erie motorcycle accident lawyer.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Call!
We understand that after a crash, your first priority is your health — it should be. You should seek immediate medical attention even if you don’t believe your injuries are serious. You cannot know if you have suffered a concussion or other head injury unless a physician checks you. You could also have suffered other internal injuries that may not be immediately known.
By seeking immediate medical care, you are protecting your health and your right to recover damages for your injuries. Delaying medical treatment can jeopardize your ability to receive full compensation from the negligent driver who caused you to crash.
However, you must also take steps to protect your legal right to file a claim against the at-fault driver. Pennsylvania has a no-fault system for traffic accidents; however, many cases fall outside of this system and give rise to a valid lawsuit for damages, but your time to file a lawsuit is limited. If you wait too long to contact our office, you could lose your right to file a lawsuit.
Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations
Each state sets deadlines for filing lawsuits for various claims. Some states set short deadlines while others give victims longer to file claims. Pennsylvania’s deadline to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is not as short as some deadlines, but it is not as long as some other states.
While two years does sound like a long time, when you are healing from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, you are not focused on filing a lawsuit. Two years can go by very quickly. If you do not file your lawsuit before the deadline, you lose the right to recover compensation from the other driver. The judge will dismiss your lawsuit when the defendant files a motion stating the lawsuit was filed after the expiration of the statute of limitations. Then you are responsible for paying all bills related to your motorcycle accident.
The two-year statute of limitations applies whether you were the driver or the passenger in the accident. The same deadline applies to car crashes, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents. All accident victims must take steps to protect their right to file an injury claim.
Contact an Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Do not allow your time to expire without consulting with an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer.
Call The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our motorcycle crash attorneys.