Being injured in a motorcycle accident can have serious physical, emotional, and financial repercussions. After a crash, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. If you’re seriously injured, getting the treatment you need should be your first priority. However, if the accident was someone else’s fault, it’s important to call an attorney as soon as you can. At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, our motorcycle accident attorneys help injured victims understand how statutes of limitations apply in Pennsylvania personal injury cases and fight to help recover the full compensation victims deserve.
What Is A Statute Of Limitations?
A statute of limitations sets the amount of time the plaintiff has to file a personal injury lawsuit against a defendant. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of your motorcycle accident. If you attempt to file a motorcycle accident claim after the two-year statute of limitations has expired, the court will most likely bar you from bringing your claim. Seeking an experienced attorney’s counsel right away can help ensure all deadlines for bringing a claim are met.
Extending The Deadline
Although Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations sets a strict deadline, it may be paused or extended in some circumstances. One exception that may allow you to extend or delay the deadline is the discovery rule. This rule applies when an injured party doesn’t know or could not reasonably be aware of their injuries. Symptoms of some injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents don’t appear until weeks or even months later. For example, if you were involved in a crash but were unaware of a nerve injury that appeared months or years down the road, a skilled motorcycle accident attorney may be able to have the deadline for filing a claim delayed or extended.
If you were injured in an accident as a child, the statute of limitations does not begin until you reach the age of 18. However, a motorcycle accident claim can be filed on your behalf by a parent or guardian before you turn 18.
Another reason why the statute of limitations may be paused is fraudulent concealment. This means that if the defendant acted to conceal or alter information that proves their negligence, the deadline for filing a claim may be extended. This exception is based on the premise that the information you need to prevail in your claim has been kept from you; therefore, you are entitled to have the deadline paused or extended.
Why You Should File A Motorcycle Accident Claim As Soon As You Can
Although in Pennsylvania you have two years to file a claim after a crash, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Valuable evidence and witness testimony should be gathered while it’s still fresh. If you take months or more than a year to file your case, memories may fade and critical physical evidence may be lost or destroyed. Insurance companies may also attempt to use the delay against you if you file a personal injury claim. If your injuries have left you unable to work, seeking compensation promptly can ensure that your medical bills are paid, and your financial security is protected.
Contact A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer In Pennsylvania
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, our attorneys at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad can help you understand the motorcycle accident statute of limitations and fight to help you recover the maximum compensation you need and deserve. Call us in Bath at 610-867-2900, or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We serve clients throughout the Pocono Mountains region and the Lehigh Valley. You can also visit our other offices in Allentown, Bath or Topton, PA.