A serious motor vehicle accident changes your life in an instant. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may never recover the quality of life you had prior to that fateful ride. It is certain that you will be out of work for an extended period, and quite possible that you can never return to the type of job you held before the accident. Besides your pain and suffering, you are likely worried about paying your bills, now and in the future. A lawyer can provide you with options regarding a personal injury lawsuit.
Arizona Statute of Limitations
In Arizona, there is the same statute of limitations for filing either a personal injury or car accident lawsuit. You must file such suits within two years of the accident, if the incident involved serious injury. If the victim died as a result of the car accident, the two year time frame starts on the death date. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after that date, it is extremely unlikely that a court will allow it. That is why it is crucial to seek legal help from a Glendale car accident lawyer as soon as possible in the aftermath of a bad motor vehicle accident.
Exceptions
There are exceptions to Arizona’s statutes of limitations regarding motor vehicle accidents. If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you have three years in which to file a lawsuit. If the other party in the accident was an on-the-job public employee – police officer, firefighter or the like – you must serve a claim on that public entity within six months of the accident. After that, you have just one year from the accident date to file suit. If the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations officially starts on the day they turn 18.
Documentation
Although the statute of limitations for a typical motor vehicle accident seems sufficient, in reality you should start collecting documentation immediately. This includes witnesses, medical records, insurance issues and all related paperwork. That is often impossible for a seriously injured person, but it is a vital part of the process. This is just one of the many services your lawyer provides.
Contact Us
If you or a loved has suffered serious injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney. Schedule a free consultation at The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer. Our firm can be reached by calling 623-847-7117 or by completing our online contact form. Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend appointments are available based on the needs of our clients.
Sources: http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/12/00542.htm&Title=12&DocType=ARS, http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/12/00555.htm&Title=12&DocType=ARS