How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After an Accident?

The short answer. Every state sets a statute of limitations — the legal deadline to file a personal-injury lawsuit after an accident. Most states allow two or three years, a few allow only one, and several allow four to six. But shorter deadlines run first: insurance claim notice windows, no-fault medical deadlines, and government-claim deadlines can be 30 to 180 days. The only safe move is to learn your state's deadline early, from a source that applies to your exact situation.

Why the deadline matters more than the crash

Miss the statute of limitations and the courthouse door closes — no matter how strong your case. The deadline is the single most unforgiving rule in injury law: courts rarely extend it.

Common personal-injury deadlines by state

This is a general reference, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions — minors, government defendants, and cases where the injury was discovered later can change the clock. Confirm the deadline that applies to your facts with an attorney licensed in your state.

  • 1 year: Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee
  • 2 years: Arizona, California, Florida (negligence), Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and many others
  • 3 years: Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Washington
  • 5 years: Missouri
  • 6 years: Maine

Deadlines that run much sooner

The lawsuit deadline is the last deadline, not the first:

  • Insurance notice: your own policy may require prompt notice — sometimes within days or 'as soon as practicable.'
  • No-fault states: no-fault medical claims often must be submitted within 30 to 90 days.
  • Claims against a government: if a city bus or government vehicle was involved, a notice of claim may be due within 30 to 180 days — long before the lawsuit deadline.
  • Evidence: dashcam and surveillance footage is overwritten in days or weeks, not years.

What to do today

Write down the crash date and your state's general deadline, then get a specific answer from an attorney. A free consultation is the fastest way to learn which deadline actually applies to your case — and whether any exception gives you more time or a shorter rule gives you less.

Bottom line

Two or three years sounds like forever until a shorter rule applies to you. Learn your deadline in week one, not month twelve.

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Questions people also ask

Does the clock start on the day of the accident?

Usually yes — the clock starts on the date of the crash. In some states it starts when an injury is discovered, which can help in delayed-injury cases. An attorney can confirm the starting point for your state.

Can I still settle after the deadline passes?

Once the statute of limitations expires, the other side has a complete defense, and your leverage disappears. That is why knowing the deadline early matters even if you hope to settle.

Sources

This page is general information, not legal advice. Kazaam is a marketing / lead-connection service, not a law firm, and submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship.