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A truck accident can be a life-altering event. A fully loaded truck weighs approximately 80,000 lbs, which is 10 to 20 times as much as the average passenger vehicle. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, your car may also be totaled, and you may sustain catastrophic injuries.
These injuries, combined with the time spent fighting for your life in the hospital, often mean that it may take a while before you can file an injury claim. The statute of limitations for Richmond truck accident cases is somewhat generous, but you must still move quickly. If you need help filing an injury claim after a semi-trailer collision, our truck accident attorneys are here to help.
Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243, you have two years to file an injury claim after a truck accident. This means all claims must be brought within two years of the date of the accident, not two years after finding out that you had an injury. While some other states leave room for the discovery of injury, Virginia’s strict statutes of limitations generally do not.
However, there are a few exceptions that may result in pausing, or tolling, the statute. First, for minors, the two-year window starts once they turn 18. The second exception applies if the liable party fraudulently hides crucial evidence. If they do, the date starts from when the fraud is discovered.
Do not make the mistake of assuming that you have time or that your case falls under an exception to the statute of limitations without speaking with an experienced Richmond truck crash attorney.
Even though you have two years, you should file as soon as you can. This is due to the following reasons:
Apart from these, a semi-trailer collision claim can be a lengthy and tedious process due to investigations, evidence gathering, and the possibility of multiple liable parties.
Although it is difficult to think of hiring a Richmond tractor-trailer crash attorney when you are focusing on recovery, the reality is that a good lawyer could help you understand the statute of limitations in your claim and relieve some of the financial burden you may be facing.
Depending on the extent of your losses, a skilled attorney could help you pursue damages that cover your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, property damage, lost income, and reduced earning capacity, if your injuries lead to disability.
You may also seek compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium. If the truck driver or other liable parties, such as their employer, freight broker, or other parties, engaged in gross negligence, you may even be awarded punitive damages. Our truck collision attorneys could help you build a strong claim in Richmond before the statute of limitations expires.
The statute of limitations for Richmond truck accident cases might make it seem like you have time, but that time passes quickly. Contact us for help pursuing your financial remedies. At Latham & Martin, we are committed to you and are prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company does not make a fair offer. Call now for a free consultation.