How Long Do I Have To File A Truck Accident Injury Claim?

Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP in Pearland, Texas - Image of Truck Accident

There are hundreds of thousands of vehicle accidents in Texas every year, with more than 3,500 of those being fatal accidents as reported in 2022.

Among those accident numbers, nearly 6,000 were truck accidents, many of which resulted in fatalities or serious injuries.

Lawyers who help clients involved in semi truck accidents strongly recommend that anyone involved in an accident with a commercial truck file an injury claim immediately, especially if there are injuries involved.

Unfortunately, many people delay contacting a personal injury law firm for various reasons, sometimes removing the possibility of even making a claim due to the statute of limitations.

What Is A Statute of Limitation For Filing Accident Claims?

A statute of limitations is a declared time period in which someone can file an accident claim with an insurance company or work with an accident lawyer to file a lawsuit after being injured in an accident.

The purpose of this time limit is to prevent long delays in the filing and hearing of accident claims and having claims filed long after it is possible for accident law firms and the courts to accurately determine what actually happened and what type of settlement is fair.

What Is The Statute of Limitation In Texas for Truck Accidents?

In the state of Texas, the statute of limitations that covers personal injury including truck accidents is two years from the date of the accident.

That means that anyone who wishes to file a claim relating to a semi-truck accident must do so with through a personal injury lawyer before that two-year mark.

If no claim is filed within that two-year window, that person has lost their ability to sue for damages and compensation.

Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury?

Generally, once the statute of limitations has passed, law firms that help clients involved in truck accidents are not able to file for damage compensation for injured clients.

The only notable exceptions that exist in cases of personal injury are when the injured person is a minor and the full extent of injuries was not apparent until later.

Accident Lawyers Stress The Importance of Pursuing Claims Quickly

For anyone who has been involved in a truck accident and especially one in which injuries were suffered, lawyers advise clients about the statute of limitations and need to file accident claims within that time period.

Though it is possible to file after the 2-year period, accident lawyers warn that doing so will likely result in the case being dismissed on grounds of being past the statute of limitations.

It also means that injured victims who were otherwise entitled to injury compensation will not receive what they deserved except in a few specific instances.

Contact An Accident Lawyer Right Away When Injured in A Truck Accident

When someone is involved in a truck accident in Texas, it is important that they retain legal counsel to help them through the claims process beyond working with an insurance company.

An experienced personal injury lawyer understands the long-term effects that may develop and that filing claims prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations is critical.

Contact a law firm that handles semi truck accidents as soon as possible to discuss the accident, potential long-term effects, and whether filing an accident claim is recommended.

Most importantly, do it as soon as possible so there is plenty of time to build a strong case within that 2-year filing limitation.