You have five years from the date of your accident to file your claim in Missouri civil court. There are some exceptions to this rule, but they are not common in most personal injury lawsuits.
For example, if you are mentally incapacitated or under the age of 21 at the time of the accident, you have five years to file your individual case once you turn 21 or from the court declares you mentally competent. If the person responsible for your injury leaves Missouri during the five-year period, the length of his or her absence will likely not count as part of your filing deadline.
While this rule may seem restrictive, the statute of limitations ensures your evidence is fresh and your witnesses are reliable. Waiting too long to file your claim increases the chances that your evidence may not be available or viable enough to use in your case, and unreliable witness testimony can seriously harm your claim.
Contact the experienced Kansas City injury attorneys at our Missouri law firm to begin the filing process and ensure you meet this strict deadline. Our experts can give you legal advice and provide you with general information about the legal process.