If you’ve been injured in an accident, there’s one thing you can’t ignore: time.
Every U.S. state has its own statute of limitations — a legal deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Miss it, and your right to seek compensation may be lost forever.
Here’s a breakdown of deadlines by state and what you need to know to protect your case.
🧭 What Is a Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is the legal time limit to file a lawsuit. In personal injury cases (like car accidents, slip and fall, or medical malpractice), this period usually begins:
- On the date of the injury, or
- When the injury was reasonably discovered (e.g., delayed medical complications)
📅 Personal Injury Lawsuit Deadlines by State (As of 2025)
| State | Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | 1 year for medical malpractice (some exceptions) |
| New York | 3 years | 2.5 years for malpractice |
| Texas | 2 years | Strict application |
| Florida | 2 years | Changed from 4 to 2 years in 2023 |
| Illinois | 2 years | Discovery rule applies in some cases |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | Medical claims may differ |
| Georgia | 2 years | |
| Arizona | 2 years | |
| Massachusetts | 3 years | |
| New Jersey | 2 years | |
| Nevada | 2 years | Medical claims: 1 year from discovery |
| Ohio | 2 years | |
| Washington | 3 years | |
| Michigan | 3 years | |
| North Carolina | 3 years | |
| Colorado | 2 years | 3 years if injury involves a vehicle |
| Louisiana | 1 year | One of the shortest deadlines |
| Tennessee | 1 year | |
| Missouri | 5 years | One of the longest periods |
| Kentucky | 1 year |
⚠️ Note: These are general guidelines. Exceptions exist, especially for minors, discovery rules, or claims against government entities.
🔍 Special Situations That May Change the Time Limit
- Injuries discovered later (e.g., surgical errors)
- Government claims (shorter deadlines & notice requirements)
- Minors or mentally incapacitated victims (tolling may apply)
- Wrongful death (may have separate deadlines)
A personal injury lawyer in your state can evaluate exact time limits based on your case details.
🛑 Why You Should Act Quickly
Even if you think you have “plenty of time,” delays can hurt your case:
- Witnesses forget
- Evidence disappears
- Insurance companies become uncooperative
Acting early gives your attorney time to build a strong case and negotiate from a position of strength.
🟦 Not Sure If You Still Have Time to File?
Don’t guess. Speak with a licensed attorney in your state for free.
👉 [Get a Free Legal Evaluation Before Time Runs Out]