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What is the Statute of Limitations For Personal Injury Lawsuits In California?

What You Need To Know About The Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injury Lawsuits In California

A serious accident can change your entire life in a matter of seconds. Injured victims need financial compensation to pay hospital and medical bills, cover lost income, and support their families. In California, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against any defendant(s) who were at fault for your accident.

However, you must take legal action before the deadline expires. This raises an important question: How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California? The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident, but there are some limited exceptions. Here, our East Bay personal injury attorney provides an overview of the statute of limitations in California.

California Law: A Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Most Personal Injury Claims

Most personal injury claims in the San Francisco Bay Area fall under the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Under that section of state law, a lawsuit must be filed “within two years” of the date of the accident. The statute of limitations is strict. If a plaintiff fails to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, then they may be denied their right to file a claim.

You Have Less Time to Initiate a Personal Injury Claim Against the Government

If you have a personal injury claim against the government, a government agency, or a government employee, you have less time to take legal action. Under California Government Code § 911.2, a plaintiff typically only has six months from the date of the accident to notify the government defendant of their intention to pursue legal action. If you were injured due to the careless or reckless conduct of a government or government agency in California, call an East Bay personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Do Not Wait to Initiate Your Personal Injury Claim

To hold a defendant liable for your injuries, you must prove fault. As with other types of legal claims, successful personal injury lawsuits are supported by a foundation of reliable evidence. If you wait too long to get started with the claims process, you could lose out on key evidence.

The best step you can take to protect your rights is to consult with an experienced East Bay personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a serious accident. Your lawyer can take proactive steps to secure evidence and start building your case.

Get Help From a Personal Injury Attorney in East Bay, California

At Bracamontes & Vlasak, our East Bay personal injury lawyers fight aggressively to protect the rights of victims and their families. If you have any questions about the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in California, we can help. For a free review of your case, please contact us today. We represent injured victims throughout the entire East Bay region, including in Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, Hayward, Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasanton, and Emeryville.

East Bay personal injury attorney