Did you suffer injuries owing to another person’s negligence in Colorado? Then you need to know that there are timelines you should abide by if you need to seek legal redress to obtain fair compensation for your losses.
Each state has its own set of rules, referred to as the statute of limitations, which define the legal window you have to raise civil action in court.
The time you have depends on your injury
The statute of limitation varies according to the nature of your injuries. Under Colorado law, victims of injuries or damage to property arising from motor vehicle accidents have two years since the accident occurred to sue the at-fault driver. For all other personal injury cases, you have two years to sue the liable party. They include, among others:
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- Dog bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice cases
- Intentional torts such as assault or other violent acts
What happens if you go beyond the statute of limitations?
Failure to observe the statute of limitations may see a dismissal of your claim. However, special circumstances may apply, such as injuries not discovered immediately after the fact. In such instances, the statute of limitations starts running when you find out or should have reasonably discovered your injuries.
The bottom line
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, it is crucial to safeguard your legal rights by taking action as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute may see the little time you have left consumed by the paperwork, which may be required in some instances. In addition, some of the evidence may wear off if you take too long to act, which will only work against you when you decide to pursue compensation.
