Understanding the Statute of Limitations: Time Limits for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Arizona

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Arizona?

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Arizona, along with every other state, has laws called “statutes of limitations,” which establish time limits when certain lawsuits must be brought. The statute of limitations doesn’t mean that the lawsuit must be finished before that time; rather, the laws mandate that a lawsuit must be formally started within the time frame.

The deadlines given for filing suit, which formally begins the lawsuit with the court and the opposing party, depend on the specific facts of each case. Because of this, it is always a good idea to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney regarding your specific case and the relevant statute of limitations.

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If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident and are looking to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Tucson personal injury lawyers.

Jason Aldridge

Attorney

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Personal Injury Cases

In Arizona, a law referred to as Arizona Revised Statute 12-542 sets the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in the state. The law says that lawsuits alleging personal injury must be started within two years after the incident that led to the injury.

For example, if you were injured on March 3, 2016, you would have until March 3, 2018, to formally start your lawsuit. If your suit has not been filed with the court by the close of business on March 3, 2018, then you will likely be prohibited from suing the culpable party.

There are certain situations in which the court may agree to extend the relevant time limit. If you are wondering if your case might be one of those situations, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The Rule of Discovery

A court rule known as the “rule of discovery,” or the “discovery of harm rule,” dictates that the two-year time limit will be extended if the victim was unaware of his or her injury. In those cases, the two-year limit begins on the date when the victim discovered, or should have reasonably discovered, the injury.

To extend our above example, assume you were injured on March 3, 2016, but didn’t know it. (This is unlikely to happen in a car accident or slip and fall accident, but may be more likely when the injury or harm results from medical malpractice or other similar actions.) Assume you discover the injury on November 10, 2017. As long as the delay in discovery between March 3, 2016, and November 10, 2017, was reasonable, the two-year time limit for your case will begin on the later date and will end on November 10, 2019.

Get Help from Experienced Tucson Accident Attorneys

Personal injury lawsuits are typically very complicated matters, and it is in your best interest to have a dedicated legal advocate on your side who can counsel you on your legal rights and the correct steps of the process.

At Zinda Law Group, our Tucson accident lawyers have helped thousands of injury victims recover compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and much more. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means our clients pay no upfront costs, and fees are only collected after we win their case.

If you have been injured, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with one of our Tucson personal injury lawyers. Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.