Timelines are important to any legal claim. In Texas, there are strict deadlines for filing truck accident lawsuits. That is because of a legal concept called the statute of limitations, which is a law that limits a specific amount of time for filing certain types of cases. In other words, they can be considered as deadlines. Every state has different statutes of limitations for different types of claims.
When you are in a truck accident, it is essential to take legal action as soon as possible. It is also vital to keep track of relevant documents and bills from the moment the crash occurs. If you wait too long, you may miss out on your chance to be compensated for your injuries due to the statute of limitations. The legal process can be daunting on your own. When you are seeking to file a lawsuit for your injuries, reach out to a legal professional who is well-versed with the statute of limitations for Southlake truck accident cases.
About the Statute of Limitations
Statutes of limitations exist to preserve justice and protect defendants from untimely litigation. Additionally, these legal time limits encourage plaintiffs to practice due diligence in pursuing their claims and to file their cases in a timely manner. Timeliness is important because evidence—for both defendants and plaintiffs—can be lost or forgotten over time.
For truck accident cases in Southlake, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incident, according to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. This includes incidents in which the victim died as a direct result. Although two years may seem like a long time, it is not wise to wait until the end of that period to begin the process of filing a lawsuit. Memories fade, and evidence gets lost, so hire a skilled lawyer sooner rather than later to protect your rights.
For a free legal consultation, call (817) 775-5364
Important Exceptions To Keep In Mind
It is important to note that there are exceptions to the statute of limitations.
Children Under 18
Like adults, minors have a two-year period to file a lawsuit, but their time only starts when they turn 18. For young children, this means they have several years to file their claim.
Mental Incapacity
The two-year deadline may be paused if the victim was of “unsound mind” at the time of the truck accident. The clock will only start again when the injured person regains the capacity to make sound legal decisions. Furthermore, if the person responsible for the accident flees the state, the statute of limitations can be paused, depending on the circumstances.
Delayed Death
When the person injured in the truck accident dies at a later date, their loved ones have two years to file a wrongful death claim from the date of death. For instance, if the victim passes away one week after the accident, the statute of limitations for filing a claim would begin from that date.
A dedicated Southlake attorney could help determine the statute of limitations for a semi-truck collision case and whether there are any exceptions based on the situation.
Discuss the Statute of Limitations for Your Truck Accident Case With a Southlake Attorney
When you have suffered injuries due to a truck accident, you do not need to handle the next steps alone. The legal system can be complicated, especially if it has been some time since the date of the incident. A committed lawyer could handle your case in accordance with the statute of limitations for Southlake truck accident cases to give you the peace of mind that you need. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a consultation.
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