Victims of serious injuries due to mechanical failures or defects of their vehicles are entitled to compensation under the law. However, victims of personal injury must file their claim within the time frame stipulated by the statute of limitations in the jurisdiction where the case is to be tried. The statute of limitations usually begins to run from the date of the accident which resulted in the harm suffered. Failure to file the claim within the filing deadline will result in the elimination of a victims right to recovery under the law. According to information released by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) General Motors has been aware of issues with the ignition system with several of its vehicles since at least 2004.
For more information on current litigation against General Motors for Chevy Cobalt ignition switch defects see here..
Are There Any Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations – Tolling of a Statute
In many instances individuals who are harmed are not able to file a claim with the court in the time stipulated by the statute of limitations. The courts allow fir a tolling of the statute allowing such victims file their case despite the deadline for filing a case having run out. Specific instances where courts have allowed for a tolling of the statute of limitations are provide here…
1. The individual did not know that the accident was caused by a defect in the automobile until sometime after the accident – in these instance the statute of limitations begins to run from the date of the discovery of the cause of the accident.
2. Mental or physical incapacitation in the part of the harmed party.
3. Minor status of the harmed party – in most jurisdiction minors, individuals under the age of 18, have a certain period of time form the date of their 18th birthday to file a claim in the court of law.
4. The injuries suffered did not present themselves until sometime after the accident.
Attorney Consultations: If you have any further question regarding the filing of a defective product lawsuit against General Motors feel free to contact our law offices. All legal consultations are provided by our attorneys free of charge.
Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit Against GM for Cobalt Chevy Ignition Defect In All Jurisdiction in the United States
Alabama
Alabama Statute of Limitations Ala. Code § 6-2-2 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Alaska
Alaska Statute of Limitations Alaska Stat. § 09.10.010 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Arizona
Arizona Statute of Limitations Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12-541 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Arkansas
Arkansas Statute of Limitations Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-101 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 3 Years
California
California Statute of Limitations Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 312 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Colorado
Colorado Statute of Limitations can be found at Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Connecticut
Connecticut Statute of Limitations Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-575 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Washington D.C.
District of Columbia Statute of Limitations D.C. Code § 12-301 et seq.
Auto Defect 3 Years
Florida
Florida Statute of Limitations Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.011 et seq.
Auto Defect 4 Years
Georgia
Georgia Statute of Limitations Ga. Code Ann. § 9-3-20 et seq.
Auto Defect Case: 2 Years
Hawaii
Hawaii Statute of Limitations Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 et seq.
Auto Defect 2 Years with discovery rule
Idaho
Idaho Statute of Limitations Idaho Code § 5-201 et seq.
Auto Defect 2 Years
Illinois
Illinois Statute of Limitations 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201 et seq.
Auto Defect 2 Years
Indiana
Indiana Statute of Limitations Ind. Code Ann. § 34-11-2-1 et seq.
Defective Product 2 Years
Iowa
Iowa Statute of Limitations Iowa Code Ann. § 614.1 et seq.
Auto Defect 2 Years
Kansas
Kansas Statute of Limitations Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-501 et seq.
Auto Defect 2 Years
Kentucky
Kentucky Statute of Limitations Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.080 et seq.
Car Defect 1 Year with discovery rule
Louisiana
Louisiana Statute of Limitations La. Civil Code § 3492 et seq.
Product Defect 1 Year
Maine
Maine Statute of Limitations Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 751 et seq.
Car Defect 6 Years
Maryland
Maryland Statute of Limitations Md. Courts & Jud. Proc. Code Ann. § 5-101 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Statute of Limitations Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 260, § 1 et seq.
Defective Product Lawsuit must be filed within 3 Years
Michigan
Michigan Statute of Limitations Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5801 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
Minnesota
Minnesota Statute of Limitations Minn. Stat. Ann. § 541.01 et seq.
Car Defect 4 Years
Mississippi
Mississippi Statute of Limitations Miss. Code. Ann. § 15-1-1 et seq.
Car Defect 2 Year
Missouri
Missouri Statute of Limitations Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.097 et seq.
Car Defect 5 Years
Montana
Montana Statute of Limitations Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-2021 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
Nebraska
Nebraska Statute of Limitations Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-201 et seq.
Car Defect 2 Years
Nevada
Nevada Statute of Limitations Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 11.010 et seq.
Car Defect 4 Years
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Statute of Limitations N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:1 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Year
New Jersey
New Jersey Statute of Limitations N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2a:14-1 et seq.
Car Defect 2 Years
New Mexico
New Mexico Statute of Limitations N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-1 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
New York
New York Statute of Limitations N.Y. Civ. Prac. Laws & Rules § 201 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
North Carolina
North Carolina Statute of Limitations N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-46 et seq.
Car Defect 6 Years
North Dakota
North Dakota Statute of Limitations N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-01 et seq.
Car Defect claim must be filed within 10 Years
Ohio
Ohio Statute of Limitations Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.03 et
Car Defect 2 Years
Oklahoma
Ohio Statute of Limitations Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.03 et
Car Defect 2 Years
Oregon
Ohio Statute of Limitations Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.03 et
Car Defect 2 Years
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5501 et seq.
Car Defect 2 Years
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Statute of Limitations R. I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-12 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
South Carolina
South Carolina Statute of Limitations S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-510 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
South Dakota
South Dakota Statute of Limitations S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 15-2-1 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
Tennessee
Tennessee Statute of Limitations Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-101 et seq.
Car Defect 1 Year with discovery rule
Texas
Texas Statute of Limitations Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001 et seq.
Car Defect 2 Years
Utah
Utah Statute of Limitations Utah Code Ann. § 78-12-22 et seq.
Car Defect claim bust be filed within 2 Years
Vermont
Vermont Statute of Limitations Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 461 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
Virginia
Virginia Statute of Limitations Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-228 et seq.
Product liability 2 Years
Washington
Washington Statute of Limitations Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 4.16.005 et seq.
Car Defect 3 Years
West Virginia
West Virginia Statute of Limitations W. Va. Code § 55-2-1 et seq.
Product liability 2 Years
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Statute of Limitations Wis. Stat. Ann. § 893.01 et seq.
Defective Product Claim must be filed within 3 Years
Wyoming
Wyoming Statute of Limitations Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-102 et seq.
Auto Defect 4 Year