How Long You Have to Assert Your Legal Rights from an Experienced Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer

When you get injured in an accident in Ohio, you only have a limited amount of time to assert your legal rights. All personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations, and once the statute of limitations expires, you can no longer file a claim to recover the financial compensation you deserve. This is one of several reasons why it is important to speak with a Columbus personal injury lawyer as soon after an accident as possible.

Ohio’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This means that as soon as an accident happens, the clock starts ticking. If you wait even a day too long, you won’t be able to file a claim.

This is made clear in Section 2305.10(A) of the Ohio Revised Code, which states:

“Except as provided in division (C) or (E) of this section, an action . . . for bodily injury or injuring personal property shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues. . . . [A] cause of action accrues under this division when the injury or loss to person or property occurs.”

Divisions (C) and (E) referenced in Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations provide extended deadlines for cases involving product liability claims and childhood sexual abuse. If you have a claim based on negligence after an auto accident, premises-related accident, or any other type of accident that was someone else’s fault, you must file your claim within two years.

A key aspect of Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations is that it establishes the deadline for filing your claim in court. As a result, filing an insurance claim does not prevent the statute of limitations from expiring. If you are dealing with the insurance companies at the two-year mark and you haven’t filed a lawsuit in court, you will lose the ability to recover just compensation for your accident-related losses.

The Importance of Acting Promptly After an Accident in Ohio

While you may have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident in Ohio, it is still extremely important that you act promptly. Evidence can disappear quickly, and without evidence, you won’t be able to prove your legal rights. With this in mind, you should take action immediately, and this starts with scheduling a free consultation with a Columbus personal injury lawyer.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer

If you need to know more about protecting your legal rights after an accident in Ohio, we invite you to get in touch. With offices in Columbus, we represent accident victims and their families statewide. To speak with an experienced Columbus personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, call 888-444-7440 or request a free consultation online now.