What is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Lawsuit? By Jackson Reed on July 24, 2020

Lady Justice

Unexpected injuries can lead to costly medical expenses and lost wages - and that’s on top of the emotional pain and suffering that victims will likely experience. Fortunately, if your injury resulted from another party’s recklessness or negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to hold them accountable. However, it is important to act quickly, as personal injury statutes of limitations put a cap on how much time a victim has to file a claim.

Personal injury lawyers at Reed & Terry, L.L.P. prepare their Sugar Land, TX, clients for lawsuit time limits set by the state of Texas. We work hard to create a strong case that will help you collect the maximum financial compensation you are due.

Texas Personal Injury Statutes of Limitations

Each state has the right to set their own statutes of limitations for different types of lawsuits, so limitations vary based on the kind of claim that is being made and the state in which the case is filed.

In Texas, the statutes of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the day that the accident occurred. In other words, if someone suffers injuries from a car accident that took place on July 4, 2020, they would have until July 4, 2022 to file a personal injury claim.

Are There Exceptions to the Statutes of Limitations?

In general, statutes of limitations are pretty firm. However, there are a couple of notable exceptions to personal injury statutes of limitations that our Katy clients should be aware of. 

The first exception to the statutes of limitations applies to individuals who are underage at the time of their accident. If a minor is injured in an accident, their parents have the right to file a personal injury claim on their behalf. However, if their parents neglect to file a claim, the minor typically has the right to file their own lawsuit once they reach the age of 18. Once the victim is of legal age, the two year statute of limitations countdown would begin.

The second exception to the statute of limitations may be applied if the defendant leaves the state of Texas after the accident, but before a lawsuit can be filed. In the event that the defendant leaves the state, the statute of limitations will not be reset, but it should be paused. If the defendant returns to Texas, the statute of limitations countdown would pick back up at the time that the defendant left the state.

Act Quickly to Improve Case Strength

Statutes of limitations can actually work to the benefit of accident victims. Although a lawsuit may not be on the forefront of your mind immediately following an accident, the sooner that you act, the better. By acting quickly, our Richmond clients give our attorneys the ability to collect evidence that can be vital to strengthening their case so that they can get the maximum compensation they are due.

Schedule a Free Case Review

The personal injury attorneys at Reed & Terry, L.L.P. can help you collect compensation for damages stemming from accident injuries, but you need to act quickly before the statute of limitations runs out. Call (281) 201-0988 to schedule a free case review at your earliest convenience.

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Reed & Terry, LLP

Reed & Terry, LLP

At Reed & Terry, LLP, our personal injury attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience providing high-quality representation to clients throughout Texas. Our firm is proudly affiliated with prestigious organizations, including:

  • American Association for Justice
  • American Bar Association
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association

Schedule your free consultation now by contacting us online or calling (281) 491-5008

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