The statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time you have to file a lawsuit after an incident or injury. Once this deadline passes, you lose your right to sue — regardless of the merits of your case. Understanding the time limits in your state is critical.
Personal Injury Statute of Limitations by State
- Alabama: 2 years
- Alaska: 2 years
- Arizona: 2 years
- Arkansas: 3 years
- California: 2 years
- Colorado: 2 years
- Connecticut: 2 years
- Delaware: 2 years
- Florida: 2 years
- Georgia: 2 years
- Hawaii: 2 years
- Idaho: 2 years
- Illinois: 2 years
- Indiana: 2 years
- Iowa: 2 years
- Kansas: 2 years
- Kentucky: 1 year
- Louisiana: 1 year
- Maine: 6 years
- Maryland: 3 years
- Massachusetts: 3 years
- Michigan: 3 years
- Minnesota: 2 years
- Mississippi: 3 years
- Missouri: 5 years
- Montana: 3 years
- Nebraska: 4 years
- Nevada: 2 years
- New Hampshire: 3 years
- New Jersey: 2 years
- New Mexico: 3 years
- New York: 3 years
- North Carolina: 3 years
- North Dakota: 6 years
- Ohio: 2 years
- Oklahoma: 2 years
- Oregon: 2 years
- Pennsylvania: 2 years
- Rhode Island: 3 years
- South Carolina: 3 years
- South Dakota: 3 years
- Tennessee: 1 year
- Texas: 2 years
- Utah: 4 years
- Vermont: 3 years
- Virginia: 2 years
- Washington: 3 years
- West Virginia: 2 years
- Wisconsin: 3 years
- Wyoming: 4 years
Important Exceptions
- Discovery rule: In some states, the clock starts when you discover (or should have discovered) the injury, not when the accident occurred
- Minors: The statute of limitations may be paused (“tolled”) while the injured person is a minor
- Government claims: Claims against government entities often have much shorter deadlines (typically 30–180 days)
- Wrongful death: May have different deadlines than personal injury
- Medical malpractice: Often has separate, shorter deadlines
Statutes of limitations can change. Always consult an attorney to confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case.