If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in the state of Washington, you may wish to file a personal injury claim. A Washington State personal injury attorney can help you determine how much compensation may be available to you and what steps are necessary to pursue compensation in your bicycle accident case. It is important to act quickly in pursuing your claim because there is a limited amount of time to act before you will no longer be allowed to file a claim.
Statute of Limitations – Definition
Statute of limitations is the amount of time following an incident in which you are eligible to pursue damages. After the statute of limitations passes you will no longer be able to file a claim against the defendant. Every state and every crime or legal violation has a different statute of limitations.
Bicycle Accident Statute of Limitations – Washington
In the State of Washington there is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This is true for bicycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents. No matter how negligent the other driver may have been or how severe the damages were, nothing can be done once the three years have passed since the accident.
Why Time is of the Essence
Even within the time frame permitted by the statute of limitations, the passing of time may cause complications in your case. If you act quickly following an accident there will be more evidence to bolster your claim. A personal injury attorney can review the scene of the accident when necessary. If the accident just happened, there may still be physical evidence at the scene or at the very least, similar conditions to when the accident occurred. Eyewitnesses may still be available to talk. As time passes, memories may become foggy and your key witnesses to your accident may no longer remember the details of the collision that can support you claim. That said, each and every claim is unique. If you believe you have a case, please contact an experienced Washington bicycle accident lawyer to find out more information about seeking compensation and holding the negligent parties accountable.
Protecting your Legal Rights
It is important to be prepared and understand what you should do in case you are ever involved in an accident. In the event of any injury accident, you should make sure you contact the police and seek medical attention. Even if you are not sure how hurt you are you should seek a medical professional. Many injuries get worse over time when they are not treated.
The experienced lawyers at The Bernard Law Group have represented injured victims successfully for decades. We have a thorough understanding of all legal issues involved and will ensure that the right steps are taken so you do not lose your rights. Call us today at 1-800-418-8282 for a free consultation, when time is still on your side.
IF YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON – CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
