Columbus Bus Accident Statute of Limitations

When you file a legal claim seeking compensation for an injury, you must keep the statute of limitations in mind. These laws define the time limits for bringing a lawsuit against liable parties. If you miss the cutoff date, you lose your right to sue and your leverage in settlement negotiations.

Issues concerning the Columbus bus accident statutes of limitations can get complex, especially when a government agency like METRA or a school district is involved. If you were hurt in any type of bus accident, contact the bus accident attorney at Bence Law Firm, LLC, for skillful and aggressive representation.

Understanding the Legal Time Limits

Statutes of limitations are laws that designate a time frame for different types of lawsuits. They are meant to promote efficiency by ensuring that lawsuits are brought when evidence is likely still available. They also ensure fairness, because potential defendants do not have the threat of a lawsuit hanging over them forever.

According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33, the statute of limitations for an adult to bring a personal injury case is two years from the date of injury. In a case where an injury or its cause is not apparent at first, you have two years from the date of discovery to file a lawsuit. If your loved one was killed in a bus accident, the two-year period begins on the date of your loved one’s death.

Statutes of limitation are strictly enforced, but there are some circumstances that stop the clock. Other circumstances shorten the timeframe. It is always wise to consult with an attorney as quickly as possible after a bus crash in Columbus, and David Bence could help you understand how the specific time limits apply in your situation.

What If a Child Is Injured?

Persons under 18 cannot file lawsuits because they are not legal adults. If your child is hurt, the statute of limitations does not begin until their 18th birthday. The window for filing a lawsuit closes on their 20th birthday.

However, a lawsuit is usually strongest if you file it shortly after the accident. Doing so limits the opportunity for physical evidence to degrade or get lost. It is also more likely that witnesses will be available and have a clear memory of the incident when you file a lawsuit promptly.

Parents and guardians can sue on their children’s behalf, and must do so within two years of the child’s injury. Our attorney at Bence Law Firm’s Columbus office could explain how to sue for your child’s bus accident injuries and guide you through the process.

Stricter Time Limits When the Government Owns or Operates the Bus

Some private companies operate buses, and the usual time limits apply to cases against these private operators. However, many buses are owned or operated by government agencies and school districts. In these cases, much shorter time frames limit your opportunities to sue.

Claims against government entities require a special notice, called an ante litem notice, to be filed. When the State of Georgia or Muscogee County owns or operates the bus, you have one year from the accident to file the ante litem notice. If a municipality is the responsible party, you must file the notice within six months.

Attorney David Bence is familiar with the time limits and special procedural requirements that apply when suing a government entity after a bus accident in Columbus. He could preserve your rights by ensuring the proper procedures are followed and submitting all necessary paperwork on time.

Consult a Columbus Attorney About Time Limits in Bus Crash Cases

The Columbus bus accident statute of limitations is not always straightforward. Coming from a long line of attorneys, working with the experienced attorney from Bence Law Firm, LLC, means you are getting a professional who understands all the legal nuances. Contact David Bence for assistance with your bus accident claim today.