Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries. If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be focused solely on your recovery. However, if the accident was caused by another party’s negligence, you may have the right to recover compensation for your damages. That right is available only for a specific period of time, and then it expires.
You need to seek the assistance of an experienced OKC truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible to help ensure you do not miss your chance to file a claim to recover damages.
What Is the Statute of Limitations For Oklahoma Truck Accident Claims?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets a filing deadline for recovering damages suffered in an accident. If you miss your statute of limitations, you will be unable to seek damages.
The statute of limitations for truck accident claims in Oklahoma is generally two years, as outlined in Oklahoma Statute §12-95. This means you must file your claim within two years of the accident. But, there are exceptions to the two-year filing deadline, so you must consult with an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer promptly to help ensure you do not miss your deadline.
In addition to your need to understand your filing deadline, you also want to consult an Oklahoma City accident attorney immediately so they can take action to preserve and collect valuable evidence before it can be lost or destroyed.
Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations
While the filing deadline for a truck accident claim is two years from the date of the accident, there are rare exceptions. Some exceptions to the two-year limit include:
If the defendant left the state and could not be reached during the two years, your filing deadline may be extended.
If you were a minor when the accident occurred, the two-year filing deadline does not begin until you reach the age of eighteen. However, if you were a minor, your parents may file a claim on your behalf. If you are under the age of twelve, your parents have seven years to file a claim. If you are twelve or older, your parents only have two years to file the claim.
If you were temporarily incapacitated after the accident, your deadline may be extended until you are competent again.
If your defendant is a government entity, you only have one year from the date of your accident to file a claim. Additionally, your claim must follow a specific procedure as outlined in the Governmental Tort Claims Act.
If you are filing an Oklahoma City wrongful death claim because you lost a loved one in a truck accident, your filing deadline is two years from the date of death, instead of from the date of the accident.
Contact Warhawk Legal Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident caused by another party, you may have the right to recover compensation for damages. However, you must file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. You should immediately consult with an experienced Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer to ensure you meet your deadline.
The truck accident lawyers at Warhawk Legal have the skills, knowledge, and experience to take fast action to preserve essential evidence, timely file your claim, and help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Call (405) 294-1243 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your Oklahoma truck accident claim.