The Statute of Limitations on Arizona Auto Accident Claims
Out of the many words and phrases you’ll find that pertain to the field of law, one of the most commonly well-known is the “statute of limitations.” You may very well already know what this means, but in the event that you don’t, the phrase refers to a certain timeframe in which an individual or party has the opportunity to file a lawsuit regarding a specific allegation. This timeframe may vary depending on the type of criminal or civil grievance and the state where the incident occurred. That brings us to the question that ties into the title of this article: what is the statute of limitations on auto accident claims in Arizona?
Arizona Statute Of Limitations On Auto Accidents
The simple answer to this is two years. This doesn’t just apply to car accidents though, but to most personal, physical injuries in general. That being said, you shouldn’t wait that long to file. The more time that elapses between the accident and the start of your case, the more likely you are to forget or misremember certain details about the accident. Additionally, depending on the details of your claim, the insurance company you’re filing against, and/or the opposing legal team, there’s the possibility that your case may take quite some time to settle or even longer to go to court if a settlement can’t be reached. As long as your health permits you to do so, try not to hesitate in reaching out to an experienced auto accident attorney in order to review your options moving forward with your accident claim.
The Issue Of Comparative Fault
Though this isn’t directly related to the matter of the statute of limitations, an interesting facet of Arizona accident law is the principle of comparative fault. In comparative fault, both parties in an accident case can be held partly responsible for damages, depending on the extent of their contributions to the accident. This only applies if a case goes to trial. Most claims settle outside of the courtroom; all the more reason to have a lawyer by your side who knows the ins and outs of Arizona accident law. Once again, the sooner you start pursuing your case, the sooner you can potentially obtain a positive result and hopefully avoid a protracted legal battle.
Why Should You Hire An Attorney After An Accident?
Along with the statute of limitations and comparative fault, there are a number of other aspects to personal injury law, especially as it pertains to automobile accidents. The discovery process, settlement negotiations, preparing for a potential trial; all of it can be a tremendous amount of work. It only goes to show that the old adage about a lawyer who represents themselves has a fool for a client, is very much true. Missing a filing deadline, taking a poor deposition, failing to investigate an accident properly; all these things can end your case in its infancy but having a talented lawyer working on your case can virtually nullify any of these risks.
In An Arizona Auto Accident? Call ELG Law
When it comes to knowing Arizona law and how to handle a case, ELG Law brings over 55 years of combined lawyer experience to the field of personal injury law. Call us for a free consultation at (623) 877-3600. Don’t let yourself fall into the idea of thinking that a two-year statute of limitation is a long period of time. Call ELG Law for your free consultation today.
