Statute Of Limitations For Car Accidents (November 2024)

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Sarah Edwards

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Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.

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Summary

  • Statutes of limitations are deadlines for filing a claim
  • Each state has a different statute of limitations
  • There are exceptions that can shorten or lengthen the time you have

Approximately 1.9 million people die each year throughout the world because of traffic collisions. Millions more suffer injuries that leave them battling long-term disabilities while at the same time struggling to pay for medical care. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, one of the choices you have to recover damages is to file a personal injury claim.

You don’t have an unlimited amount of time in which to do so, however, because of the statute of limitations. Car crash statute of limitations laws vary from state to state, and if you miss the deadline, you may not be able to recover any losses. But why are statutes of limitations so important, and how long do you have to file your claim?

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What Are Statutes of Limitations, and Why Do They Matter?

A statute of limitation is a law that prevents you from filing a claim after a certain period has passed. It can apply to both civil and criminal cases. The reason why these laws matter is that they ensure claims are brought forward while there’s still viable evidence available.

Statutes of limitations also help prevent people from having potential charges hanging over their heads for years. In civil cases, the timelines tend to be much shorter than in criminal cases.

Most of the time, the clock starts ticking the moment that the incident occurs. If you only realize you’ve suffered losses later on, however, it’s possible for the statute of limitations timeline to begin then. This is common in product liability cases involving medications, where effects might only come to light years after taking the drugs.

Car Accident Statute of Limitations by State

Take a closer look at the amount of time you have to file a claim in each state.

State
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage
Statute of Limitations for Injuries
Alabama
2 years
2 years
Alaska
2 years
2 years
Arizona
2 years
2 years
Arkansas
3 years
3 years
California
3 years
2 years
Colorado
3 years
3 years
Connecticut
2 years
2 years
Delaware
2 years
2 years
Washington, D.C.
3 years
3 years
Florida
4 years
4 years
Georgia
4 years
2 years
Hawaii
2 years
2 years
Idaho
3 years
2 years
Illinois
5 years
2 years
Indiana
2 years
2 years
Iowa
5 years
2 years
Kansas
2 years
2 years
Kentucky
2 years
1 year
Louisiana
1 year
1 year
Maine
6 years
6 years
Maryland
3 years
3 years
Massachusetts
3 years
3 years
Michigan
3 years
3 years
Minnesota
6 years
2 years
Mississippi
3 years
3 years
Missouri
5 years
5 years
Montanas
2 years
3 years
Nebraska
4 years
4 years
Nevada
3 years
2 years
New Hampshire
3 years
3 years
New Jersey
6 years
2 years
New Mexico
4 years
3 years
New York
3 years
3 years
North Carolina
3 years
3 years
North Dakota
6 years
6 years (2 years for wrongful death)
Ohio
4 years
2 years
Oklahoma
2 years
2 years
Oregon
6 years
2 years
Pennsylvania
2 years
2 years
Rhode Island
10 years
3 years
South Carolina
3 years
3 years
South Dakota
6 years
3 years
Tennessee
3 years
1 year
Texas
2 years
2 years
Utah
3 years
4 years
Vermont
3 years
3 years
Virginia
5 years
2 years
Washington
3 years
3 years
West Virginia
2 years
2 years
Wisconsin
6 years
3 years
Wyoming
4 years
4 years

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Understanding Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

For the majority of auto accidents, you will need to abide by the applicable statute of limitations, but there are exceptions. If the accident involved a government entity, for example, you generally have less time to file the claim, and you must give notice to the party before filing.

If the victim in an accident is a minor, the statute of limitations for car accidents may also be different if their parents or guardians didn’t pursue a claim after the collision occurred. Once the minor reaches the age of 18, the statute of limitations would start. The exact amount of time you would have in these circumstances depends on the state where you live.

In instances when the other party leaves the state, the statute of limitations will often stop running for as long as they’re gone. This is because it would be impossible for you to serve them with papers. As soon as the other party steps back into the state, the ticking clock continues.

Why Hiring Car Accident Lawyers Is Essential

People often assume that filing claims after car accidents will be a straightforward process and that they won’t need to hire an attorney. The truth is that there are a lot of complicated aspects to personal injury claims.

Attorneys can help you understand your rights and gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate you deserve compensation. They can ensure that you don’t miss the statute of limitations for car accidents.

With a lawyer, you also don’t have to worry about negotiating with insurance companies. Insurers tend to do everything they can to keep from paying you, but a lawyer knows what’s fair and can tirelessly fight for the damages you deserve.

Importantly, your attorney will generally also have the option of taking your claim to court. Litigation can sometimes be the only way to get fair treatment, and that’s not something that you want to tackle without help.

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Finding Tenacious Representation

If you’ve been in a car accident and need to file a claim to recover losses, it’s important to keep the statute of limitations in mind and find a lawyer promptly to ensure you don’t miss any relevant deadlines. All too often, though, people worry about car accident lawyer fees and fear contributing even more to the financial strain they are under after an accident.

Personal injury lawyers work on contingency for this very reason. You can hire help without worrying about paying anything upfront.

At ConsumerShield, we can connect you with some of the most experienced attorneys in your area. Get the guidance you need to recover losses by contacting our legal team for advice today.

Car Accident Knowledge Base

Read the latest information on Car Accident and find answers to your questions. Currently there are 67 topics about Car Accident Claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The answer will depend on where you live. Each state has its own timeline that you must follow. If you don’t, you may not be able to recover any damages.

  • If you live in a state that has a fault-based system, you can sue if you suffered losses and you’re not fully at fault for the accident. In no-fault states, you may only sue the other party if you suffered serious injuries.

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