Filing Timelines in Knoxville Car Accident Cases: What You Need to Know about Three Filing Deadlines that May Apply to Your Case
Many Knoxville residents and drivers have likely heard from somewhere or another that if they are injured in a car accident in Knoxville, they should not delay in filing a lawsuit for compensation against the negligent or otherwise at-fault driver that injured them. Indeed, whether they have seen it on the news, in the court cases of their family members or friends, or in legal dramas made for the movies, more Knoxville residents and drivers than not have probably heard about the legal term the “statute of limitations.” But what exactly are these important deadlines in a Knoxville car accident case, and why are they so important? To help Knoxville car accident victims better understand this key issue in Knoxville car accident personal injury lawsuits, we answer those questions here.
The Statute of Limitations Applicable to Knoxville Car Accident Lawsuits: Personal Injury
At the outset, it is important for Knoxville car accident victims to know that there are 3 important deadlines that may be applicable to their Knoxville car accident cases under Tennessee laws. The first of these deadlines is the statute of limitations that runs on claims involving personal injury. When a person is injured in a car accident in Knoxville, they only have a limited time to file a lawsuit under Tennessee personal injury laws for their physical injuries. This time limitation is 1 year “after the action accrued.”
Statutory Time Limits on Knoxville Car Accident Wrongful Death Claims
In addition, when a person is killed in a fatal car accident in Knoxville, certain close members of their family that are alive may bring a claim under Knoxville wrongful death laws. Under Knoxville wrongful death laws, certain close family members of the deceased car accident victim may be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses of their loved one, and other important categories of compensation. Knoxville families have only 1 year to bring a wrongful death claim under Tennessee laws.
Injury to Personal Property in Knoxville Car Accident Cases
Finally, Knoxville car accident cases may involve property damage, such as damage to the victim’s vehicle and their valuable belongings. Under the Tennessee Code, Knoxville car accident victims have three years to bring a lawsuit in court to recover money compensation for the loss of their personal property.
The Importance of the Statute of Limitations in Knoxville Car Accident Cases
Simply put, if a Knoxville car accident victim does not bring their lawsuit for compensation within the statute of limitations period, their claim may be dismissed by a judge and forever barred from being brought in court. Accordingly, it is important to speak with an experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer as soon as possible after you have been injured in a serious car accident to discuss the time limitations in your case.
The experienced Knoxville car accident lawyers at the law firm Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC are here to help Knoxville car accident victims get compensation due for their injuries and losses. Contact Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
