Missouri Personal Injury Statute of Limitations (2024)

The personal injury lawyers from Northland Injury Law know how important it is to pursue legal action after suffering an injury or damage that was caused by another party’s negligent, intentional, or reckless action, but there is a specific legal process that must be adhered to in order to ensure the case is viable. While pursuing legal action, it is important to be mindful of the Missouri personal injury statute of limitations.

Missouri Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Explained

There are many legal principles and regulations that impact legal action, including a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is the amount of time that is legally allotted to pursue legal action after specific types of cases. Each category of law holds different deadlines for legal action. In Missouri, the personal injury statute of limitations is five years. This means that if you are injured after a personal injury incident, you have five years to take legal action.

The statute of limitations rule is in place for several key reasons, primarily to balance the rights and interests of both plaintiffs and defendants. A key reason why this rule is in place is to encourage timely and prompt resolution after incidents and to preserve evidence as over time, evidence can get lost or degraded.

Key Aspects of a Personal Injury Claim

While understanding the statute of limitations in a personal injury claim is an important aspect, there are other key concepts to keep in mind when pursuing legal action to seek compensation. Below are key aspects of a personal injury case that are important to understand:

• Liability: Liability is key in a personal injury claim as it shows who the responsible party is. This often involves establishing a duty of care that shows the defendant has a legal obligation to act responsibly, that they breached their duty of care by failing to uphold the standard of care, and that this breach directly led to the injury.
• Evidence: For a personal injury case to be viable, it is necessary to have adequate evidence to prove fault and the details of the claim. This can include witness statements, medical records, bills, police reports, repair receipts, photos, and videos.
• Damages: To receive compensation, it is important to show the specific damages that you have suffered. Damages typically fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Economic damages include quantifiable financial losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
  Non-economic losses are more challenging to show as they are the intangible losses associated with a claim, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are not awarded in every case but may be used as a form of punishment towards the defendant if their actions were especially egregious.
• Legal Representation: Connecting with the right legal representation is key in ensuring the claim is handled with detailed care that extends your ability to receive a fair result.
  A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options in moving toward a settlement. They can help navigate an investigation to find the evidence that is necessary to receive compensation. Lawyers can navigate conversations with the at-fault party and insurance companies and represent you in litigation if your case moves to court.
• Negotiation and Settlement: It is possible to resolve your personal injury claim outside of the courtroom through negotiation with insurance companies or a settlement. If a fair agreement is reached, you can avoid trial and receive compensation for your losses.
• Litigation: In the event that negotiations are unsuccessful, litigation may be necessary. This will require arguing the case in front of a judge or jury and receiving a verdict that will dictate the result of the case.

FAQs

What Is a Personal Injury?

Personal injury is a legal term and category that refers to the harm that is caused to an individual’s mind, body, or emotions because of the negligent, reckless, or intentional action of another party. Personal injury claims can be pursued by an injured party in an effort to seek justice and receive compensation to cover the full extent of their losses associated with the injury.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is a legal deadline that dictates how long an individual or entity has to seek legal action for any given type of case, such as personal injury, criminal cases, contract disputes, and property damage. The time limit usually begins on the date of a trigger incident or when the harm or damage was discovered. There are unique statutes of limitations and rules for different types of legal action.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?

While it is not a legal requirement that you work with a lawyer for a personal injury claim, it can be very beneficial, especially if there are any levels of complexity in your case, like disputed liability or lack of evidence. A lawyer can help to explain your legal rights and obligations as well as walk you through the legal process and provide representation, if necessary.

What Is a Common Personal Injury Case?

A common type of personal injury case is a car accident. Personal injury cases typically involve incidents when an individual is harmed because of another party or individual’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Car accidents can trigger personal injury cases if an individual is injured or faces property damage from the accident that was the fault of another party. They can seek compensation for their tangible and intangible losses.

Get in Touch With a Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you are looking to take legal action following a personal injury, it is important to act promptly, not only to ensure you are within the statute of limitations but also to have a swift resolution to your legal matter and move forward with your life. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer from Northland Injury Law to set up an initial consultation and learn how our legal team can support you in pursuing compensation that covers the full extent of the losses you have suffered.