It’s normal for your mind to be in a million different places after suffering an accident. Before waiting too long to take action, however, it’s important to know the deadline for filing a claim.
When an accident caused by someone else’s negligence turns your life upside down, you may consider taking civil action in order to recover some of the damages. But did you know that state law places a deadline on how much time can pass before seeking financial remedies?
Read on if you’re wondering, “How long after an accident can I file a claim?” For more individualized help, reach out to a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer.
Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Action in Nevada
In civil law, the statute of limitations dictates how much time can pass from the time an accident occurs before the affected party can seek civil remedies in a lawsuit.
In theory, this should be straightforward, but confusion arises when considering the fact that each state has the discretion to set its own laws. To further complicate things, the deadline can be modified depending on the type of accident, and when the victim discovered their injuries.
Generally, for cases involving personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that the countdown starts on the date of the accident in question and continues until two years into the future. Filing a claim after the statutory deadline could bar you from recovering any damages related to the accident in question, as the defendant could simply ask a judge to rule the claim invalid.
In some cases, the deadline can be modified. In matters of professional malpractice, such as medical malpractice, the deadline gets extended to four years after the accident. Also, if the date of discovery is different from the date of the act, you can sue up to two years after you learn about your damages for the first time, even if more than four years have already elapsed.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Personal injury lawyers help folks who’ve been injured take action to recover civil remedies for their losses. If you’ve recently discovered previously unknown injuries stemming from a past accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim.
In the past, accident victims who should be entitled to damages have been excluded due to an expiring statute. For that reason, most accident victims elect to partner with a lawyer as soon as they’re aware of their loss, in order to ensure their rights to compensation are protected.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Suffering an accident can be scary. Getting fairly compensated for someone else’s wrongdoing shouldn’t have to be. If you’ve been injured, an experienced lawyer from Adam Smith Law will help you fight for the settlement you need.
Don’t wait—call 702-929-2289 or fill out the form on the right-hand side of the page to schedule your no-obligation case consultation with a lawyer from our firm today.
Adam Smith Law