If you have been injured in an accident, you may be wondering what the statute of limitations is in Virginia. A statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Virginia
In Virginia, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years. This means that you must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date. A personal injury lawsuit filed outside of this deadline is likely to be dismissed by the court.
Claims Against a Government Entity
Claims against a government entity have specific notice requirements, which are often much shorter than the statute of limitations. If you have a case against a government entity, like the Commonwealth of Virginia, a County, or a City, it is very important for you to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, since you may have a limited time to notify the government or entity of your claim.
Virginia Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims Involving Children
If you are under the age of 18, you have until your 20th birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is because minors are not legally allowed to file lawsuits on their own behalf. However, if you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to have a parent or guardian file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Why Does Statute of Limitations Laws Exist?
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits and claims gives accident victims time to recover before they have to file a lawsuit. It also provides enough time for an injured party to determine if their injuries are permanent and if they are not going to recover. These limitations also prevent stagnant or fraudulent claims from appearing years or decades after the incident when evidence may be lost or forgotten.
How Statutes of Limitations Affect Your Filing a Claim
The statute of limitations is an important law to be aware of if you have been injured in an accident. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, you may lose your right to sue. Therefore, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. An experienced attorney can help you understand the statute of limitations and ensure that your lawsuit is filed within the required time.
How Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Help You With Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
For more than 50 years, the Virginia personal injury lawyers of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some our successful verdicts and settlements:
- $15 million for a woman who was permanently paralyzed from the neck down as a result of being struck by a stray bullet.
- $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury as a result of a rear-end collision.
- $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury as a result of a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product.
- $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
- $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.