The statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you seriously risk losing your right to recover even if you suffer serious injuries.
In Ohio, you have two years after you suffer a “bodily injury” to bring a lawsuit. This statute of limitations covers a number of negligent acts, including motorcycle accidents.
As a motorcyclist, you face unique risks that your counterparts in passenger vehicles usually avoid. You’re often not visible to other drivers. Only a helmet and pads for the elbows and knees afford protection, and those items avail you little if you collide with a passenger vehicle. Our Columbus Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers understand these hazards to motorcycle operators.
If you ride motorcycles, the consequences to you of careless drivers can be substantial. Due to the lack of protection afforded motorcyclists, a crash can yield serious fractures, internal injuries or even death. Columbus Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers commonly encounter motorcycle accident victims who have significant medical expenses, pain and suffering and permanent disabilities. A motorcycle accident may also mean lost wages and a diminished or non-existent ability to work and provide for self or family.
If you’re injured, seeking medical treatment represents your first priority. Delay in going to a hospital or doctor may endanger your health and open you to an argument by the negligent driver’s insurance company that you made your injuries or disability worse. At Flickinger Legal Group, we encounter and address such claims that you failed to mitigate your damages.
More importantly, promptly contacting an accident law firm in Columbus helps you avoid losing your case because of the statute of limitations. We promptly gather your accident report, which shows the date of the crash and when the statute begins running. Even before the time comes to file the lawsuit, the Flickinger Legal Group gathers records from your treating hospitals, doctors and therapists; witnesses, photographs, videos, and physical evidence from the scene; and wage information. The driver’s insurance company will get a settlement brochure and offer presenting this evidence. If it appears settlement is not likely before the statute runs, we will file a lawsuit before the deadline.
The statute of limitations is not the deadline for settling or resolving the claims. It fixes the deadline for filing suit. Nevertheless, you stand to lose potentially significant compensation if you delay in acting to pursue your claims. Contact our accident law firm in Columbus promptly if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident.