What is the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in a car accident case?

In Washington, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in a car accident case is set forth in RCW 4.16.080. This statute states that a wrongful death action must be commenced within three years from the date of death of the person whose death is the subject of the suit. This means that if someone is killed in a car accident, their family must file a wrongful death claim within three years of the date of death. If the claim is not filed within three years, the family may be barred from bringing a later lawsuit. It is important to note that the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim may be different in other states. Therefore, if the accident occurs in a different state, the family should be sure to check the applicable laws of that state before assuming the same limitations apply to their claim. In addition, the statute of limitations for filing a claim in Washington can be extended in certain circumstances, such as when the cause of death is unknown or undiscoverable until after the three-year period has expired. Therefore, it is important for the family to be aware of any potential extensions to the statute of limitations. Finally, it is also important to note that even if the family files a wrongful death claim within the three-year period, they may still be barred from recovery of certain damages if their claim is not filed in a timely manner. Therefore, it is important to reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a car accident that results in the death of a loved one.

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What is the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in a car accident case?

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