After an injury, the clock starts immediately. Here's exactly how long you have to file in your state — and what can change that deadline.
The personal injury statute of limitations covers civil claims where someone's negligence or intentional wrongdoing physically harmed you. Common case types include:
Note: Medical malpractice, wrongful death, and defamation have their own separate statutes of limitations — often different from the general personal injury period. Check those guides for case-specific rules.
| State | Deadline | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years | Strict — very few tolling exceptions |
| Alaska | 2 years | Discovery rule applies to latent injuries |
| Arizona | 2 years | 180-day notice for government claims |
| Arkansas | 3 years | General negligence standard applies |
| California | 2 years | 6-month notice for government claims; discovery rule available |
| Colorado | 2 years | 182-day notice for government; separate auto accident rules |
| Connecticut | 2 years | From date of injury or discovery |
| Delaware | 2 years | Standard accrual from date of injury |
| Florida | 2 years | Changed from 4 years in 2023; check your incident date |
| Georgia | 2 years | Ante litem notice for government within 12 months |
| Hawaii | 2 years | Standard; discovery rule for latent harm |
| Idaho | 2 years | Standard accrual rules |
| Illinois | 2 years | Standard; various tolling rules available |
| Indiana | 2 years | 180-day notice for government |
| Iowa | 2 years | Standard negligence rules |
| Kansas | 2 years | From date of injury; discovery rule for latent harm |
| Kentucky | 1 year | One of the shortest in the nation — act quickly |
| Louisiana | 1 year | Called "prescription" not limitations; very strict |
| Maine | 6 years | One of the longest — but don't delay |
| Maryland | 3 years | 180-day notice for government |
| Massachusetts | 3 years | From date of injury; discovery rule available |
| Michigan | 3 years | Standard; 60-day notice for government |
| Minnesota | 2 years | Standard discovery rule applies |
| Mississippi | 3 years | General negligence; shorter for intentional torts |
| Missouri | 5 years | Longer deadline for general personal injury |
| Montana | 3 years | Standard; discovery rule for latent harm |
| Nebraska | 4 years | General statute; shorter for specific torts |
| Nevada | 2 years | Standard accrual from date of injury |
| New Hampshire | 3 years | Standard; discovery rule available |
| New Jersey | 2 years | 90-day notice for government |
| New Mexico | 3 years | 90-day notice for government |
| New York | 3 years | 90-day notice for government; strict application |
| North Carolina | 3 years | Standard; discovery rule rarely extends start date |
| North Dakota | 6 years | One of the longest in the nation |
| Ohio | 2 years | Standard; 180-day notice for government |
| Oklahoma | 2 years | Standard; discovery rule applies |
| Oregon | 2 years | 180-day notice for government |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | 6-month notice for some government claims |
| Rhode Island | 3 years | Standard negligence period |
| South Carolina | 3 years | Standard; discovery rule available |
| South Dakota | 3 years | Standard accrual rules |
| Tennessee | 1 year | One of shortest — act immediately after injury |
| Texas | 2 years | 6-month notice for government |
| Utah | 4 years | General injury; shorter for intentional torts |
| Vermont | 3 years | Standard; discovery rule applies |
| Virginia | 2 years | Standard; 6-month notice for government |
| Washington | 3 years | Standard; discovery rule available |
| West Virginia | 2 years | Standard accrual |
| Wisconsin | 3 years | 120-day notice for government |
| Wyoming | 4 years | General negligence; longer than most states |
| Washington D.C. | 3 years | Standard; government notice required |
For most personal injury cases, the clock starts on the date of the accident or injury. This is straightforward for:
For injuries where harm isn't immediately apparent, many states apply the discovery rule — the clock starts when you knew or should have known you were harmed and who may be responsible. See our Discovery Rule guide for details.
Florida reduced its personal injury statute of limitations from 4 years to 2 years, effective March 24, 2023. If your injury occurred before that date, the old 4-year rule may apply. If it occurred on or after that date, the 2-year rule applies. This transition has significant implications for cases that were just inside the old deadline but outside the new one — Florida courts are still working through these issues.
If any part of your personal injury was caused by a government entity (city bus, city-maintained road, government employee), you must typically file a formal Notice of Claim within 60–180 days — before even worrying about the statute of limitations. See our Government Claims guide for full details.
Filing the complaint starts the legal process but doesn't guarantee a quick resolution. Personal injury cases typically proceed through:
The vast majority of personal injury cases (approximately 95–96%) settle before trial. Filing within the statute of limitations is the necessary first step to reaching that settlement.
Enter your injury date and state to get your exact filing deadline.
The beginner's guide to filing deadlines.
When the SOL clock actually starts.
When the deadline pauses.
Options that may still exist.
The hard deadline that can't be extended.
Special notice requirements.
How the clock works for under-18 plaintiffs.
All 50 states with citations.
Discovery rule and repose caps.
Written vs oral contract deadlines.
2-year personal injury deadline.
2-year personal injury deadline.
2-year personal injury deadline.
3-year personal injury deadline.
2-year personal injury deadline.
2-year personal injury deadline.