Can a truck accident victim file a lawsuit for damages in Texas if it has more than a year after their crash?
McAllen, TX—While some accident victims might assume that if they want to take legal action against the party who caused their collision, they must do so directly after the incident, this isn’t entirely true. Although it is a good idea to initiate a case early on while the evidence is still fresh and it is clear the injuries suffered were caused by the accident, truck accident victims actually have two years to file a lawsuit.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, individuals who were involved in an accident with a truck that wasn’t their fault are given two years from the date of their collision to seek compensation from the party who was liable for causing it. This timeframe an individual has is referred to as the statute of limitations. Once the statute of limitations expires, there is a good chance the individual will lose their right to sue.
If an individual was involved in a truck collision in McAllen, TX a few months or even a year ago and they are looking to recover compensation for the injuries they suffered, they can contact a McAllen truck accident lawyer who can determine if they have a viable case.
Why does it benefit to start a case early on after a truck accident in Texas?
Truck accident victims are always encouraged to contact a McAllen truck accident attorney as soon after their accident as possible for the following reasons:
- They need time to determine why the accident occurred and if the trucker is liable for paying the victim for the injuries they suffered. Oftentimes, this entails a truck accident attorney having to conduct an investigation and even hire certain experts such as an accident reconstructionist and/or a medical professional
- When a truck accident victim waits months or even a year to come forward with their lawsuit, the other party might claim the injuries they say they sustained in the accident were actually caused by something else. Of course, a truck accident lawyer in McAllen, TX can help a victim gather evidence that shows the wreck is what caused their injuries.
Now, although it generally does benefit a victim to come forward with their lawsuit earlier than later, that doesn’t mean they lose their right to compensation if they wait a year to file their lawsuit. If their case is against a private party and not a government entity, then there is a good chance they can still file suit.
A McAllen, TX Truck Accident Lawyer Can Determine if a Victim Has the Grounds to Sue
If an individual would like to find out if they have a case and whether they still have time to file their personal injury lawsuit, they can contact USAttorneys.com to get connected with a lawyer in their city. USAttorneys.com works with some of the best truck accident lawyers in the State of Texas and would be happy to get an individual connected with one who is eager to help them.