After an accident, many people tend to focus on recovery, medical treatment and getting their lives back on track. However, Maryland has time limits for filing personal injury cases. If you miss these deadlines, you can lose the right to seek compensation regardless of how much evidence you gather.
What are Maryland’s deadlines?
Maryland has deadlines known as statutes of limitations, and state law places strict time limits on when injured individuals can file claims or provide notice in certain cases. Knowing the statute of limitations early can help you avoid costly delays and keep your case moving forward. Here are the time limits to keep in mind:
- General filing deadline: Most civil personal injury lawsuits must start within three years of when the claim accrues, which is often the date of injury.
- Claims against government entities: Many state and local government claims require a written notice within one year of when the claim accrues.
Knowing these deadlines matters because courts routinely dismiss cases that are filed too late. On top of that, the statute of limitations exists to encourage the timely gathering of evidence. This is critical for personal injury cases because surveillance footage is subject to deletion. Similarly, witnesses may forget key details or move out of the state. Acting within the deadline helps ensure that your claim remains legally valid and that your evidence is strong and relevant.
What can you do to protect your personal injury claim?
The key to strengthening a personal injury claim is gathering the right evidence before time runs out. It is essential to gather medical records, identify witnesses and track accident reports as soon as possible. If you wait until the last minute, you risk losing key documents and you may even lose your right to sue under Maryland’s statute of limitations.
Recovering from an accident can be emotionally and physically exhausting, not to mention incredibly costly. With a strong claim backed by evidence, you increase the likelihood of receiving financial compensation after suffering an injury. This way, you can make up for lost wages and costly medical bills and focus on recuperation.