Though, as a rule, the statute begins to run as soon as the cause of action accrues, and continues to run until the bar is complete, there are certain circumstances which suspend its operation. It is generally provided that infancy, coverture, insanity, or imprisonment shall, where the person entitled to sue is affected by any of these disabilities when the cause of action accrues, suspend the operation of the statute until the disability is removed. A disability arising after the period of limitation has commenced to run will not affect the operation of the statute.

As a rule, ignorance that a right of action exists will not suspend the operation of the statute. Where, however, that ignorance was produced by the fraud of the defendant, and no reasonable diligence would have enabled the plaintiff to discover that he had a cause of action, the statutory period commences with the discovery of the fraud.