Did you suffer damages in Pennsylvania because of another person’s negligence or reckless behavior? For instance, if you were driving along the highway, and a drunk driver hit you, the driver’s irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol may be from negligence. In such circumstances, you would be eligible for filing a personal injury claim in a civil court.
You might not feel up to filing paperwork in court just after you have been involved in a motor vehicle collision. This would especially be true if you suffered severe or life-threatening injuries. However, it is critical that you understand that there is a time limit involved as to when you may file a personal injury claim in court, meaning that, after a certain amount of time has passed, it will be too late.
What does Pennsylvania law say about timing for a personal injury case?
In this state, if you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you would have two years in which you could file a personal injury claim in a civil court. The laws are similar for cases involving medical injuries due to malpractice. However, things can get complicated in certain cases.
For instance, if an incident occurs, but you are not immediately aware that you have suffered injuries as a result, the typical 2-year statutes may not be relevant in your case. You might have an even longer time available in which you could file a claim. This is why it is helpful to speak with someone who understands Pennsylvania injury laws before determining whether you are eligible to file a claim.
Personal injury claims extend beyond car accidents or medical errors
When determining whether you are filing a personal injury claim within the time frame set by state laws, it is also important to consider the type of incident that has compelled you to take action in court. Suffering injuries in a collision or due to medical malpractice are merely two of many situations that may constitute grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
If you suffered damages in business, you might have grounds for filing a personal injury claim, as long as you do so within the time constraints listed under state law. Additional issues, such as falling victim to an assault, suffering injury on another person’s property or suing someone for defamation, are also topics that are relevant to personal injury litigation. Always check time statutes before filing a claim.