Anne Arundel Car Accident Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is a term that refers to the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit against the person who caused the person’s injuries. The statute of limitations is three years in Maryland. There are not really any differences in the statute of limitations when it comes to negligence and tort law. If you have been injured in a car accident, consult a qualified car accident lawyer that could help you file your claim before the Anne Arundel car accident statute of limitations runs out.

When Does the Statute of Limitations Begin?

The Anne Arundel car accident statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident or the date of the crash. The statute of limitations differs for a minor because it starts the minute the person turns 18, so it is three years from their 18th birthday. With respect to someone with a disability, the statute of limitations will be three years from the date that he or she is no longer considered disabled.

So long as the lawsuit has been filed before the expiration of the statute of limitations, the trial can go forward. The actual filing of the lawsuit, not the trial, is covered by the statute of limitations. The case can still proceed as well.

Impact of Statute of Limitations on Damages

If the person goes beyond the Anne Arundel car accident statute of limitations before filing the lawsuit, the person responsible for causing the injuries does not have to pay anything.

It is only if the complaint itself is filed before the statute of limitations, the trials can go beyond the statute of limitations.

Gathering Evidence

The attorneys will get a copy of the police report, talk to the witnesses, get the injured person to sign a HIPAA authorization, collect the person’s medication records, reports, and bills, and get the person’s lost wage information.

The main evidence includes the police report, witness statements, property damage, the scene of the accident etc. The attorney will collect the pictures of the property damage, will get property damage estimates of the vehicles, and will take pictures of the person’s injuries.

How Long Does it Take to Collect Evidence

The amount of time it takes to collect evidence just depends on the case itself. If the person has a minor accident, it does not take very long at all. But if it is a serious accident, the attorneys have to wait until the person’s treatment is complete. They will  have to discuss with experts about the person’s injury, collecting the medical records and bills. For someone in a serious injury, it can take a very long time, sometimes about a year, to collect that information.

Importance of Retaining an Anne Arundel Car Accident Attorney

An attorney needs to file a car accident injury claim before the Anne Arundel car accident statute of limitations ends, so that the accident victim does not lose their ability to proceed against someone who has harmed them. The attorney has to file a complaint, go through the discovery process, answer interrogatories, and request for production of documents. They also have to get depositions and hire experts. It takes about 18 months to get ready for a trial. An experienced attorney should be prepared to handle all of that. If a person has been injured in a car accident, they should seek the services of a capable lawyer that could advocate for themselves.