Free Consultation
Free ConsultationThe physical and psychological effects of a commercial truck collision can linger for years, or even decades afterward, and sometimes they can completely alter the course of your life. However, regardless of how long the negative effects of your crash last, you have a limited amount of time under Pennsylvania state law to collect evidence, organize necessary documents, and formally file suit over the accident.
Failing to start the legal process within the filing deadline will almost certainly prevent you from getting civil compensation for the injuries in question. Since there is no threat of a court ruling against them, insurance companies will have no reason to negotiate a settlement, either. With that in mind, it is vital to understand what the statute of limitations for Philadelphia truck accident cases is, as well as how a truck accident lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams, PC, can help you follow it.
What Is the Standard Filing Deadline for Truck Crash Lawsuits?
As is the case with most other types of personal injury litigation, lawsuits over truck crashes in Philadelphia are subject to the statute of limitations set by 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524. Under this section of state law, you have two years to file suit from the moment you first discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, that another person’s negligence caused you harm—which is usually the date on which your accident happened.
It is worth mentioning that while the same two-year filing deadline applies to wrongful death claims for fatal injuries caused by truck wrecks, there are slightly different rules for determining when the statute of limitations for these claims begins. Regardless of when the original accident happened or how much time passed between the accident and the injured person’s premature death, the two-year clock always starts on the date of the injured person’s death.
Possible Extensions to the Statute of Limitations
While there are no exceptions to the statute of limitations for Philadelphia truck injury cases per se, there are certain scenarios in which courts may pause the starting point for the standard two-year filing period for a specific length of time. For example, if the person who would have cause to file the suit was a minor at the time their accident happened, the two-year filing period for any lawsuit they wished to file independently over their injuries would not start until their 18th birthday.
Likewise, if a trucking company were to impede the investigation into a truck crash by committing criminal fraud, a lawyer could convince the court to extend the effective filing deadline for the lawsuit based on the challenges presented by the prospective defendant’s unlawful actions.
A qualified lawyer can explain what deadline(s) would likely apply to a particular claim during a private initial consultation.
Ask a Philadelphia Attorney About the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims Today
Even if you broadly understand the time limits for your right to sue over a commercial truck wreck, building and filing a strong claim within that time period can be extremely difficult to manage alone. In fact, most people who try to file suit over crashes like this by themselves receive little or no compensation that they otherwise would have been entitled to.
A skilled truck accident lawyer can help you pursue the restitution you deserve and help you navigate the complexities of the statute of limitations for Philadelphia truck accident cases. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, PC, today for the legal support you need and deserve.
