Modesto Car Accident Statute of Limitations

If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a reckless or negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and damage to your vehicle. While it might be tempting to wait until you feel better to consider your legal options, the best time to start organizing the facts, gathering evidence, and strategizing with an experienced injury attorney is right now.

Building a strong case involves recreating the accident, interviewing witnesses, and calculating all the damages you are entitled to claim—and all of this takes time. Additionally, California has strict time limits for filing a lawsuit. That means the clock is ticking, and delaying could harm your chances of securing fair compensation.

At Valero Law Group, you can consult with an attorney for free. An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through the process, ensure all evidence is gathered, and make sure your case is filed within the Modesto car accident statute of limitations. Do not wait—call us today to get started on the path to recovery.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations in every state governs how long a person has to bring a civil lawsuit. According to California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, those injured in car accidents have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company.

Like any government rule, exceptions apply. The attorneys at Valero Law Group are caring professionals who walk clients through the complicated process to get them compensation at the highest rates. A Modesto attorney can answer all questions about the car accident statute of limitations and other related issues. They can send a driver to bring clients to the office or visit them in their homes while they recuperate in comfort. Call to learn more about how an attorney can offer help.

Exceptions to the California Statute of Limitations

California law offers exceptions to the two-year limitation on filing civil lawsuits for injuries that someone else caused. If a car accident involves the injury of a minor, the two-year restriction pauses until the young person turns 18. So, no matter how old they are, they have until they turn 20 to file a lawsuit.

The time limit also pauses if the defendant leaves California before an injured plaintiff can file a lawsuit. The statute remains tolled or suspended until rectification occurs, which means a plaintiff can wait for a defendant who believes leaving the state for two years will free them from liability. Tolling also occurs when the defendant is in prison on other charges or ruled legally insane. The statute of limitations begins or resumes once a prisoner serves their sentence and is released or a legally insane person receives treatment that restores sanity. 

To complicate matters further, the statute of limitations differs in some situations. If the defendant is the City of Modesto, the statute to file injury lawsuits drops the limit to six months with other government rules applying.

Call Valero Law Group today for a case evaluation. Act quickly to avoid violating the statute of limitations for vehicle accidents in Modesto.

Meet the Statute of Limitations To Protect Your Modesto Vehicle Accident Case

California limits filing time because it would be unfair for a prospective defendant to wait indefinitely, wondering if a lawsuit is pending. Experience has shown that the longer it takes, the more witnesses drift away, and the more evidence disappears.

There are many moving parts to a personal injury lawsuit, including meeting the Modesto car accident statute of limitations for filing one because missing that date means you will never have the opportunity to claim compensation. Call the attorneys at Valero Law Group now to discuss your options.