Being involved in any sort of serious accident can be both traumatic and stressful to all the parties involved. The injuries that follow the accident simply add to the anxiety.
What is even more stressful is the fact that there is a clock ticking for the amount of time that you have to file suit against your opponent whom you believe caused the accident.
In the legal profession, this “ticking clock” is commonly referred to as the “statute of limitations.” “Statutes of limitations” are essentially the laws that are set in place that set the time limit on how long you have to file a civil action ( such as a personal injury claim) or, how long the state has to prosecute someone who has allegedly committed a crime.
The time limits will vary depending on the state and the legal claim or crime that is involved. In the state of South Carolina, for example, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
But what does that mean from a general standpoint? There are a few key rules to keep in mind when determining if your clock is about to tick it’s last tock: (1) the time period begins to run or start on the date the incident occurs. In other words, the day you got into the car accident is the date in which you have three years to bring your personal injury suit in South Carolina, and (2) once your statute has “ran”, you can no longer file your claim, and the prosecution can not prosecute for a crime.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in any sort of car accident or other personal injury resulting in serious damages, do not wait to contact an attorney. Remember, the clock is ticking from the date of the accident, not from the date of recovery. In order to recover, a lawsuit must be filed within that 3 year time limit. Let the experienced personal injury attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower evaulate your claim today. Contact us at 803-548-4444 or toll free at 877-374-5999 for a free consultation.