{"id":2447,"date":"2021-04-17T05:01:06","date_gmt":"2021-04-17T05:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/?p=2447"},"modified":"2021-04-20T14:55:21","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T14:55:21","slug":"statute-of-limitations-in-indiana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/","title":{"rendered":"Statute of Limitations in Indiana"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have been involved in an accident, you\u2019ll understand how devastating its effects can be. Not only would you receive damage to your property (which you have to pay for to get fixed), you might also be injured in the process too. If it\u2019s bad enough, you might have to be hospitalized, receive treatment, and miss work- you\u2019ll have to not earn money and spend money in the process. On top of that, the worst-case scenario is someone could die.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why if you were placed in harm\u2019s way in an accident due to the fault of the other, you are within your rights to demand compensation, even if it means taking things to court. However, this right does not last forever- there is only a certain period when you are allowed to file a case against someone on the grounds of personal injury, this is called the statute of limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were involved in an accident, you should contact one of our injury lawyers at Wilson &amp; Kinsman, LLC right away, an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elkhart, Indiana personal injury law firm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We can advise you on your legal rights and help you receive the compensation that you deserve, as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Statutes_of_Limitations_for_Personal_Injuries\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statutes of Limitations for Personal Injuries<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6635b6afe4de5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6635b6afe4de5\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Statutes_of_Limitations_for_Personal_Injuries\" title=\"Statutes of Limitations for Personal Injuries\">Statutes of Limitations for Personal Injuries<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Injuries_to_Children\" title=\"Injuries to Children\">Injuries to Children<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Wrongful_Death\" title=\"Wrongful Death\">Wrongful Death<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Cases_Against_the_Government\" title=\"Cases Against the Government\">Cases Against the Government<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Why_Should_You_Immediately_Get_a_Personal_Injury_Attorney\" title=\"Why Should You Immediately Get a Personal Injury Attorney?\">Why Should You Immediately Get a Personal Injury Attorney?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Not_Missing_the_Statute_of_Limitations\" title=\"Not Missing the Statute of Limitations\">Not Missing the Statute of Limitations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Preserving_Evidence\" title=\"Preserving Evidence\">Preserving Evidence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/statute-of-limitations-in-indiana\/#Avoiding_Mistakes\" title=\"Avoiding Mistakes\">Avoiding Mistakes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignright wp-image-2449\" title=\"elkhart personal injury attorneys\" src=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana-300x200.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"elkhart personal injury attorneys\" width=\"371\" height=\"247\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27371%27%20height%3D%27247%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20371%20247%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27371%27%20height%3D%27247%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana-400x266.jpg 400w, https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Statute-of-Limitations-in-Indiana.jpg 626w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 371px) 100vw, 371px\" \/> In Indiana state law, the policies governing the statute of limitations for personal injuries are in Indiana Code 34-11-2-4. In general, it gives a person (the plaintiff) a \u201ctime limit\u201d of two years to file a case against the offending party (the defendant). The timer starts on the day of the accident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the code, the victim of an accident is allowed to demand remuneration for the costs of the incident including damages to the home or other real property, personal property damage, disability costs, medical expenses, lost wages (present and future), loss of companionship, as well as for pain and suffering, and emotional distress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the general rules for the statute of limitations and apply to anyone who was involved in the accident. This includes the driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, a person riding a bicycle, etc. However, there are a few exceptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Injuries_to_Children\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injuries to Children<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children below 18 years old cannot file a personal injury lawsuit so their parents can file it on their behalf, otherwise, they can file it themself once they reach 18 years of age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case their parents do not file on their behalf, their statute of limitations starts on their 18th birthday. This means that if a person was injured as a minor, he can file a lawsuit against the defendant until two years after his 18th birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrongful_Death\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrongful Death<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cases of wrongful death due to the incident, the victim\u2019s surviving relatives can file a personal injury case on his behalf from two years after his death. However, not all relatives are legally allowed to represent him- the only people who can do so are the successors of his estate as indicated in his will or according to Indiana succession laws in cases of intestacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cases_Against_the_Government\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cases Against the Government<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For cases against a state government agency, a filer is given 270 days from the day of the accident to file a personal injury claim. For injury claims against the city or county, a plaintiff is given 180 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also take note that in cases where the government is the defendant, the rules for filing a case may be a bit different as given in laws such as the Federal Tort Claims Act. Additionally, if the government is the defendant, the plaintiff is never awarded punitive damages (an amount that can be awarded on top of damages) and the maximum cost of the damage you may sue for is only $700,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal Injury Law is a very complicated area of the law with many different rules and exceptions, so if you were involved in an injury accident including motor vehicle accidents, auto accidents, or malpractice, it is best to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get in touch with an <a href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/contact-us\/\">Elkhart IN accident lawyer<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that can inform you of your rights and help you take legal action.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Should_You_Immediately_Get_a_Personal_Injury_Attorney\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Should You Immediately Get a Personal Injury Attorney?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have been involved in an incident including negligence, a slip, and fall, car accident, or even medical malpractice, the very first thing you should do is contact a personal injury lawyer here at Wilson &amp; Kinsman, LLC for a couple of reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_Missing_the_Statute_of_Limitations\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not Missing the Statute of Limitations<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important thing in filing any case is to not miss the deadline because doing so almost guarantees that your case will simply be dismissed upon the request of the defendant, so time is of the essence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our Elkhart, Indiana personal injury attorneys are knowledgeable on both the federal laws and state laws that govern the filing of personal injury cases in Indiana. This allows us to know your rights and know your limitations when filing within the state.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preserving_Evidence\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preserving Evidence<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from the limitations, the evidence needed to file a successful case is also time-sensitive. It is important to acquire the evidence immediately because it may be deleted as in the case of CCTV footage, or for witness statements, the witnesses\u2019 memory of the incident may not be as clear, so it is best to acquire evidence as early as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoiding_Mistakes\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding Mistakes<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you are involved in an accident, it is not just you who will be working on it- both the defendant and the insurance companies involved will also immediately get to work to devalue or discredit your claim.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/personal-injury\/\">personal injury lawyers<\/a>, we at <strong>Wilson &amp; Kinsman, LLC<\/strong> know the tactics that may be used to gain the upper hand. We\u2019ll advise you against these and protect your rights as the victim. We also believe that as the victim of an incident, you should focus on getting better instead of having to worry about the law and people trying to take advantage of you even further. Contact us today and let us take care of your case for you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you have been involved in an accident, you\u2019ll understand how devastating its effects can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2450,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2447"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2447\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilsonandkinsman.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}