The time period within which you are only allowed to file for a lawsuit is called the statute of limitation. Failure to meet this “deadline” will almost surely bar you from filing your lawsuit against the person responsible for your injury, except in particular situations where exceptions may apply.

For personal injury lawsuit, the standard statute of limitation can range from one year to up to six years depending on your state. Unless you live in Kentucky and Louisiana where the statute of limitation for personal injury lawsuit is one year, it is not too late for you to go to court and file a personal injury lawsuit. In California, you have up to two years from the date of injury to bring your lawsuit to court.

There are situations, however, where an exception to the standard statute of limitation may apply. Most states have what is commonly known as a “discovery rule” which extends the deadline for filing a lawsuit. This rule applies in the situation where the victim didn’t know about the injury, or that the defendant’s actions caused an injury. For instance, in California, the statute of limitation starts to run on the date of the injury or on the date the person discovers the injury.

To know more about the statute of limitation for personal injury cases in your state, seek legal counsel from a local personal injury attorney.