Statute of Limitations for Uber Accident Claims
If you are involved in an Uber accident in Beverly Hills, it is important to understand how much time you have until you can file a claim. California law, like all the other states, imposes a statute of limitations, after which one cannot claim damages anymore. In California, the victim generally has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
While the period of two years may sound like plenty of time, things like finding a good attorney, understanding the laws, collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, etc., can be very time-consuming. This is especially true if this is your first time being involved in a legal or accident case. Missing the deadline means you lose your rights to compensation.
In some cases, the deadline is even shorter. This happens in accidents where a government agency or entity is involved. In such cases, you may have only six months. This is why it is important to act quickly and consult with someone from the Saeedian Law Group. A skilled attorney will know how to work fast and protect your rights.
Statute of limitations in California
In California, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident or injury. If you want to get compensation for your injury and damages, you must file a claim within this time period.
The time limit encourages the preservation of evidence and also the reliability of the witness’s statement. After this period expires, you may lose the right to pursue legal action. Therefore, you must avoid delaying and take action immediately.
This statute of limitation is applicable in various personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and fall, and situations where someone gets injured due to the other party’s negligence. You must be aware of the timeline when you are navigating the legal process.
When it comes to ride-sharing services like Uber, the statute of limitations can become more complex due to the unique nature of these incidents. There are some differences between claims that involve rideshare drivers and passengers.
For example, if you are injured in an Uber vehicle, you can make a direct claim against the rideshare company. However, the driver or another third party involved in the accident may have different legal considerations.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you miss the two-year deadline, you can miss your chance of getting justice. Your case will automatically be dismissed, and you will not be able to seek further compensation. As a result, you may not be able to do anything despite having evidence.
The consequences of delaying extend beyond just the inability to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, it will be difficult to negotiate a settlement and solve the issue through alternative dispute resolution methods.
The insurance company and the defendant might take advantage of the expired deadline, knowing that you no longer can enforce youor right. This inability to start any legal action against the responsible party might burden you with medical expenses, lost wages, and so on.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations
There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations for Uber accident claims, especially when minors are involved or if the plaintiff is mentally unstable. Some injuries are not immediately visible after the accident, and people might think they are not injured and avoid getting compensation.
For this, California law establishes a discovery rule. This rule allows the statute of limitations to start from the date the injury is discovered rather than the date of the accident. This is important for delayed symptoms that may arise after the Uber accident.
Additionally, if the defendant is not in California, the statute may pause until they return.
