The Basics of Statutes of Limitations in San Antonio Car Accident Claims

The concept of statutes of limitations dates all the way back to the early Roman legal system.

Statutes of limitations exist to create a maximum amount of time an individual must wait to find out if they’re named in either a civil or criminal case. Depending on the type of injury or crime, the clock starts ticking the day the injury or crime takes happens, or the date that the injury or crime should have reasonably been discovered. Different types of cases have a different statute of limitations.

San Antonio’s Statute of Limitations Regarding Car Accidents

San Antonio has more than its fair share of car accidents. Data collected by the Texas Department of Transportation showed that in 2017, Bexar County was the county with the highest number instances of distracted driving incidents in Texas. San Antonio was ranked the Texas city with third highest number of incapacitating injuries. There were 143 fatalities connected to traffic accidents, an estimated 954 serious injuries from car accidents, and approximately 4,069 non-incapacitating injuries.

The San Antonio court system recognizes two different types of civil auto accident cases. One involves claims in which the plaintiffs seek a financial judgment that reimburses them for the property damage their vehicle sustained during the accident. The second is a personal injury claim, which is filed when plaintiffs suffered injuries during their accident and want reimbursement for their medical bills and/or pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for both types of civil cases is two years.

When Should You File Your Civil Case?

While the state allows you 730 days to file a civil case against the driver that struck you, that doesn’t mean you should wait 729 days before doing so. When you’re injured in a car accident, you should get the medical care you need. Give yourself a little time to get back on your feet and assess your general state of health before contacting a San Antonio personal injury lawyer. There are a few reasons you may want to consult with an attorney as soon as you start feeling better, including the following:

• It takes time to properly file the paperwork and start the civil case
• Memories fade as time passes, and evidence can be lost or neglected
• The sooner you file, the sooner you’ll get the financial support needed to get back on your feet

Contact the George Salinas Injury Lawyers Today

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, consider contacting the George Salinas Injury Lawyers to arrange a free consultation. During a consultation, we can carefully explain our analysis of your case and your rights, along with our recommendation for going forward. We’re here to help: contact the George Salinas Injury Lawyers online, or give us a call today at (210) 225-0909.