If you’ve been injured in an accident, you can’t wait forever to sue. Every state has a statute of limitations, meaning a legal time limit for filing a personal injury claim.
Typical Deadlines by State:
- Most states: 2–3 years from the date of injury
- Some states: as short as 1 year (e.g., Kentucky)
- Discovery Rule: clock may start when you discover the injury
Exceptions That May Extend Deadlines:
- Minor victims (clock starts when they turn 18)
- Mentally incapacitated individuals
- Fraud or concealment by the defendant
- Government entities often require notice within 6 months
Consequences of Missing the Deadline:
- Case will be dismissed automatically
- Insurance companies won’t negotiate
- You lose the right to recover damages permanently
What to Do:
- Speak to a personal injury attorney early
- Preserve medical records and evidence
- Don’t rely on insurance adjusters for legal deadlines
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