Filing Deadlines for Car Accident Injury Claims in York

Nearly all Pennsylvania legal claims have filing deadlines, called statutes of limitations. You must sue (file a lawsuit) before the claim’s deadline applicable to your case expires. Though there are some exceptions if you cannot do so, failing to bring an injury claim after a car crash quickly is often an absolute bar to financial recovery. Don’t delay. Contact the experienced car crash injury lawyers at Mette Law serving York and the surrounding Pennsylvania Counties.

Pennsylvania Litigation Deadlines for Car Accidents

In nearly all car accident cases resulting in personal injuries, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit under Pennsylvania law (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). This sets the standard for recovering damages through the court system and, generally, applicable insurance policies.

Gather Evidence Immediately After a Car Crash

Although you have two years, this does not mean you should wait two years to seek legal help. The longer you wait, the stronger the other driver’s defense will be. You must preserve evidence immediately following a motor vehicle collision in York, including:

• Police reports
• Witness information
• Video Footage
• Photographs
• ER and ambulance records
• Insurance information

Witnesses and video footage can quickly disappear. To protect this critical evidence, contact an attorney immediately after a serious car crash on I-83.

Exceptions to the PA Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

In rare cases, our experienced attorneys can argue that the statute of limitations should be extended. You might have longer to file a personal injury claim in York in the following circumstances:

• Wrongful Death: If your loved one died from injuries sustained in a car crash, you have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, even if the car accident statute has expired.
• Children/Minority: If the victim was under the age of 18 when the accident occurred, she generally has until her 20th birthday to file a personal injury claim.
• Incapacitation: Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in Pennsylvania. You can add time to the statute of limitations for any period of medical incapacitation, such as a coma, including any time necessary for families to obtain the legal right to sue.

Even if the deadline has passed, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you qualify for an exception. Do not hesitate to reach out to legal counsel at any point if you were injured in a York motor vehicle accident.

Benefits of Retaining an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Contacting a car crash attorney immediately is essential for preserving your claims. You don’t have to wait until you’re done receiving treatment for your injuries to obtain damages. The reputable personal injury lawyers at Mette Law will not force you to sue. Instead, they will help you gather and analyze evidence and, if possible, settle your claims outside of court. Call our car accident attorneys for free at 717-232-5000 or contact us online. We’re here for individuals and families throughout York, PA.