The Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time that parties have to initiate legal proceedings from the date of an alleged offense.  There may be three different time limits for you or your family to file a case. 

            Wrongful Death

If you or your loved one is killed as a result of a motorcycle crash you have only two years in which to initiate proceedings.  This law applies to individuals or corporations—not governmental agencies.

Governmental Agency

If a governmental agency is involved in causing the death you must initiate the case within one year.  Determining whether a governmental agency may be responsible will take investigation.  For example, if the road design where the accident occurred is at fault you may have a case against the entity that designed the road.

You Survive the Crash

If you or your family member survives the accident you have four years in which to initiate your case. 

Words to the Wise

Lawyers need time to investigate your potential case.  We need to obtain documents from police agencies, witnesses, medical records etc.  We need to place the insurance companies on notice and determine the amount of coverage available to compensate you for your injuries.  Gathering all of the records takes time. 

Attorneys then need to analyze the records and determine fault.  Sometimes this requires that we investigate the case using experts such as accident scene deconstructionists. 

Unfortunately, sometimes our clients are so severely injured that they may be in a coma and receiving medical treatment. 

Bottom Line:

Find a lawyer ASAP and have them investigate you potential case because the statute of limitations may stop you from receiving compensation.

^{Utah Bike Law is a motorcycle injury law firm and its lawyers who ride are dedicated to representing injured motorcycle riders and their families.  If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle crash anywhere in the United States we invite you to call for a free confidential consultation. There is no obligation and you are not charged any fees whatsoever unless we recover money for you.}