The statute of limitations on car accident claims limits the amount of time during which you can file a lawsuit. If you fail to file a claim within the limitation period, your claim might be time-barred. This means that you will not be eligible to recover damages to compensate you for your losses. So, if you have been injured in a car accident in Arkansas or Oklahoma, you should talk to an attorney at the Law Office of Craig L. Cook as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Claims
All states have a statute of limitations on car accidents and other personal injury cases. These laws are enacted to keep old cases from being filed. Filing an injury claim soon after your injury allows the legal process to start so that you can secure compensation for your losses. If you wait too long, evidence can be lost. It is also unfair for a defendant to be left wondering whether an old accident might come back to haunt them. Because of this, the law limits the time that you have after an accident to file your claim.
What is the statute of limitations on car accident claims in Arkansas?
The personal injury statute of limitations in Arkansas is found at Ark. Code § 16-56-105. Under this statute, you have three years after your car accident to file a lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to all civil lawsuits that are filed for personal injuries. While three years might sound like a long time, it can go by quickly when you are dealing with your injuries and losses. It is best for you to talk to an attorney as soon as possible to get the legal process.
What is the statute of limitations on car accident claims in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for car accident cases is found at Okla. Stat. § 12-95. Under this law, you have two years after the date of your injury accident to file a claim. Please note that you may only have one year if your claim is against a governmental entity or public trust or if you’re taking legal action against Native American tribes.
Act fast. If you wait too long, you might not be able to recover monetary damages for your losses.
Why You Should Contact an Attorney Soon After a Collision
After a collision, some people think that there isn’t any rush to file a claim. However, it’s best for you to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. In most cases, a car accident claim will be much stronger if you file it earlier because your attorney will have more time to prepare. You may have time to request an expert examination of both vehicles before they’re repaired. In addition, your attorney will be able to contact witnesses promptly, before they move away or can no longer remember the details of the accident. Your lawyer should subpoena witnesses right away, while the accident is still fresh in their minds. Furthermore, if there weren’t any witnesses, your attorney can try to find security camera footage. Since security camera footage is frequently recorded over, it’s important to act quickly.
Did the collision involve a large truck? The data contained on the truck’s black box might be erased after too much time passes. This type of information can be critical evidence for your case because it can give you proof of the speed at which the driver was traveling and the number of hours they were on the road before your accident. The black box data can also help you determine whether the driver violated any laws or regulations.
Finally, getting prompt help from a lawyer can also help you avoid making critical errors that could hurt your claim. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company and help gather evidence of the extensiveness and severity of your injuries.
Get Help from the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook
If someone else caused your injury accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. To receive a free consultation about your case, contact the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook at 479-783-8000 or send us a message online.
