A statute of limitations is a legislation that establishes the maximum period that parties interested in a dispute have from the date of an alleged crime, either civil or criminal, to commence legal actions. The statute's time limit for bringing legal proceedings against a suspected violator varies according to the jurisdiction and the kind of the conduct.
For a Plaintiff
Every state in the USA has a specific time limit during which you are permitted under law to pursue a claim for injuries sustained because of the negligence of another party. If this time expires, and you do not take action to protect your rights, you are forever barred from instituting a claim for damages.
Keep in mind that the laws of the state in which the accident occurred will prevail. Therefore, if you live in North Carolina but were involved in a motor vehicle accident in Texas, the laws of Texas would apply.
Therefore, as soon as possible after the accident’s occurrence, contact a lawyer to determine the applicable time parameters for pursuing a claim for personal injuries for your circumstances.
For instance, at the time of this writing, in Pennsylvania you have two years in which to pursue a claim for personal injuries sustained because of a motor vehicle accident, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act.
Why Do We Have Limitations Statutes in Texas?
Because the passage of time impacts the quality of evidence on both sides, statutes of limitations exist. Statutes of limitations save people from having to defend themselves against accusations when basic evidence and facts have gotten clouded or degenerated over time. As previously stated, statutes of limitations differ depending on the crime, and some offenses have no statute of limitations. Furthermore, the statute of limitations in Texas may be tolled or postponed in certain situations.