How long you have to file a personal injury claim in every US state. Missing the deadline means losing your right to compensation permanently.
⏰ Critical: Once the statute of limitations deadline passes, no attorney can help you — regardless of how strong your case is. Do not risk your right to compensation by waiting.
Note: Deadlines for general personal injury claims. Government entity claims have much shorter deadlines. Always verify with an attorney.
The clock may not start until you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury or its cause. Most common in toxic exposure or defective product cases.
When the injured person is a minor, the statute typically does not begin until they turn 18. A 10-year-old injured in a 2-year statute state may have until age 20 to file.
Claims against a government vehicle, employee, or property typically require a formal notice of claim within 90-180 days — before you can even file a lawsuit. This is one of the most commonly missed deadlines.
If the injured person was mentally incapacitated at the time of injury, the statute may be tolled until they regain capacity.
Your claim is permanently barred. No attorney can help you recover compensation after the deadline passes. The court will dismiss your case regardless of how strong it is or how serious your injuries are.
The statute of limitations applies to lawsuits, not insurance claims. However you should report accidents to insurance promptly — most policies require timely reporting. The critical deadline to track is the lawsuit filing deadline.
As of 2023, Florida reduced its personal injury statute of limitations from 4 years to 2 years for negligence claims including car accidents. Contact a Florida PI attorney immediately to confirm the current deadline for your situation.
Yes, in certain circumstances called tolling — including injury to a minor, mental incapacity, the discovery rule, or defendant being out of state. Never assume tolling applies to your situation without consulting an attorney.
Now that you know your rights, find a personal injury attorney near you. Free, private, no spam — you choose who to contact.