After suffering injuries in a car accident, your primary focus may understandably be your recovery.
Unfortunately, Virginia law limits how long an injured victim has to file a lawsuit against the liable party.
Your injuries may be severe and require long-term medical treatment that prevents you from working.
As your financial troubles mount, don’t miss out on your opportunity to recover the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver.
Read on to learn about the statute of limitations on car accidents in Virginia and how an injury attorney can help you.
If you have any questions, please contact a car accident lawyer at River Run Law online or call (828) 414-8614 today.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Car Accidents in Virginia?
Virginia law provides a two-year statute of limitations on car accident claims. A statute of limitations outlines an injured victim’s deadline to file their lawsuit.
Failing to file within this time bars you from bringing a lawsuit later.
While two years from the accident date may seem like plenty of time to get your case together, it may come and go faster than you expect.
After an accident, speaking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is vital.
Your attorney keeps track of necessary procedural deadlines, so you don’t miss your chance to recover the damages you deserve.
Once you retain a car accident attorney, they gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
Are There Exceptions to the Car Accident Statute of Limitations?
There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations that may apply to your case. However, these can be challenging to argue without an attorney.
The following exceptions may apply to the two-year statute of limitations:
- A victim might file a lawsuit past the two-year statute of limitations if they were in a coma or otherwise physically or mentally incapacitated, and
- If the victim is a minor, they have two years after the date they turn eighteen to file.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations deadlines apply only to court deadlines. Insurance companies set their rules for the filing of claims.
What Can I Recover?
Virginia permits individuals suffering damages in a car accident to recover compensatory damages, which may be both economic and non-economic.
Economic damages represent tangible losses directly related to your injuries, including:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings, and
- Property damage.
You can use receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and other documentation to support your demand for economic damages.
Non-economic damages include intangible losses stemming from an injury.
These losses are usually connected to the psychological and emotional effects suffered by an individual and represent the following:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Permanent injury and disfigurement, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Proving non-economic damages requires the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney.
Get in Contact with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Richmond, Virginia Today
After a car accident, don’t take too long to file a claim or pursue a lawsuit for your injuries and damages. Navigating your injury and mapping your recovery is difficult to do alone.
The attorneys at River Run Law are here to help and guide you through the process. After suffering injuries in a car accident, you deserve to recover compensation.
Support for medical care and other losses help you get back on your feet.
At River Run Law, our personal injury lawyers aggressively pursue justice and fair compensation for the wrongfully injured.
Contact River Run Law today for compassionate advocacy and dedicated representation. Call us at (828) 414-8614 now for a free consultation.
Casey Ariail
Casey is a founding partner at River Run Law Group. Casey has tried numerous cases across the Commonwealth in both General District Court and Circuit Court. He has earned millions of dollars for his clients through trials, mediations, and settlements.
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