* What is the statute of limitations in Washington in a personal injury case?

The statute of limitations is the time limit for filing a lawsuit in a personal injury case.

The statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident and expires at the earlier of a lawsuit filing or three years following the date of the accident.

In other words, to protect your legal rights, you must either settle your personal injury case file a lawsuit to protect the statute of limitations. People under 18 years old (minors) have three (3) years from the injured victim's 18th birthday.

There are many exceptions to these rules.

If the defendant in your case is a Washington governmental body (including buses, government vehicles, police cars), you must file a document entitled "claim for damages" with that specific governmental entity before a lawsuit may be commenced.

The governmental entity rule applies to both adults and minors.

In uninsured motorist cases, the statute of limitations is fixed by the insurance contract and, in most cases, is six years for both adults and minors.

These rules are for accidents that happen in Washington. Other states may have different rules.

Also, different rules apply for cases involving malpractice and fraud.

In almost every category of case there are exceptions to the usual rules.

To be sure of the statute of limitations in your case, consult Foster Law Offices. We give free consultations. There is no obligation to you.

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* Contact Information - Washington Personal Injury Attorney

To discuss you or your loved one's personal injury case, please contact Foster Law Offices to schedule a free consultation. We encourage you to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.

We offer free in-home or office appointments. Consultations are always free, there are no up-front fees, and you pay only if we win your case.