What is the Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury in Arizona?
In the wake of suffering a personal injury, it’s understandable that your mind could start racing over everything that needs to be handled. From dealing with medical bills to missed work and physical therapy, the entire situation can be a long and grueling one.
These things take time, so one of the first questions many people ask is ‘what is the statute of limitations on personal injury in Arizona?’ First off, the statute of limitations is just legalese for the maximum amount of time that is allowed to pass before you can file a lawsuit.
Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed has prepared the following explanation to make this difficult time a little easier to understand.
Arizona Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
In most cases, the statute of limitations on most personal injury cases in Arizona is two years. This two-year time limit begins on the date of your accident.
However, if you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit against a government entity, like the City of Phoenix or the State of Arizona, then the statute of limitations is 180 days to file a formal Notice of Claim and then one year to file the lawsuit.
Special Cases
While the statute of limitations for personal injury cases remains set at two years in Arizona, there are some extenuating circumstances and nuances based on the type of personal injury. Below are a few examples of these special cases.
- Negligence: The statute of limitations for personal injury due to negligence begins when the plaintiff becomes aware, or should have become aware (within reason), of the defendant’s negligent behavior.
- Medical Malpractice: In Arizona, personal injury law follows the discovery rule. This means that the plaintiff’s reasoning for their lawsuit, or cause of action, is not founded, or accrued, until they know or should have known about the malpractice occurring
- Wrongful Death: In cases of wrongful death, the cause of action accrues on the date that the individual filing the suit discovers that the death was a direct result of the defendant’s negligent conduct.
- Children Under the Age of 18: In the event that the victim of personal injury is under the age of 18, then the statute of limitations in Arizona begins when said victim turns 18.
In any case, it is always best to file a lawsuit as soon as possible after your injury to ensure the most reliable accounts and memories. Be sure to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident to understand the statute of limitations in your case, as well as everything else involved in the process.
Top Personal Injury Attorneys in Phoenix, AZ
When you seek out The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed to handle your personal injury case, you are guaranteed the Aggressive Compassionate Representation our satisfied clients know us for. This approach promises aggressive pursuit of the highest possible settlement, as well as the deepest compassion for you as our client.
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury, contact us today to set up a free consultation with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys.
Zayed Al-Sayyed
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