YOU AND THE LAW® DEADLINES FOR STARTING A CAR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT Dont delay seeking legal help. of contract was six year s after the debt should have been In a true case, Mary (not her real name) was hurt quite badly in a car crash. She was probably entitled to get Note that there's a 15-year "ultimate" limitation period to financial compensation. start a lawsuit for a civil wrong even if that wrong isn't discovered in those 15 years. But she waited too long to see a lawyer But heres the key to all this. There are many other specific When she finally walked in to a lawyer's office, it was two laws in B.C. with their own (often shorter) time periods ars less one day since the accident. Unfortunately, theto start a claim or lose out forever. For example, to suea lawyer was out of town. And the deadline for starting amunicipality, you have to give written notice within 2 lawsuit for personal injuries from an accident like this is two years. The lawyers legal assistant doubts if another lawyer was able to help Mary in such a short time frame. months and start your action within 6 months. takes time to sit down with your lawyer, explain the situation to them and have them digest your information, research the law (including what limitation period applies) and prepare and file the court documents necessary to start the lawsuit. And of course, they may be tied up on other lawsuits, have previous pressing commitments, or be away on business or holidays. Many deadlines are quite short. There is a "basic limitation period. That period is two years from the time you discovered or should have discovered that something happened for which you can sue and know who to go after in court. YouSo seek legal help as soon as you reasonably can if you've must start your lawsuit against that peson or party withinbeen hurt in a car accident or are entangled in a legal these two years. If you dont, you generally lose the right situation that I to ever bring that lawsuit your claim will most likely be may require you to go to court to protect ur rights you don't want the limitation period to defeat "barred," as though you were stopped dead in your tracks at a railway crossing by a bar dropping down in front of you. you, without ever setting a foot in the court room. This column provides information only and For example, say that Jane becomes tired of waiting to bemust not be relied on for legal advice. Please call repaid by Joe, who owes her money. If the debt becameStephen W. Turner at 250-868-8801 for your free, due on or after June 1, she'll have only two years after the no obligation, initial consultation due date to commence legal proceedings in court. That's because she knew, or should have discovered, that the debtWritten by Janice and Geo wasn't repaid on the due date, that it was Joe who stiffed contribution by Stephen W. Turner Lauyer Janice Mucalov her (defaulted on the debt), and that she could go to oris an auard-winning legal writer "You and the Lau" is a to recover the debt. The old deadline for suing for breach registered trademark. 0/nice and George Mucalov STEPHEN TURNER LAW Personal Injury Law ICBC CLAIMS, DON'T GET HURT TWICE Call For Free Initial LAW 508 Doyle Ave., Kelowna law@stephenturnerlaw.ca Consultation