Personal Injury Filing Deadlines by State
Quick answer: California, Texas, and Florida all give you 2 years to file most personal injury lawsuits, including car accidents. The deadlines for claims against a government agency are very different: 6 months in California and Texas, 3 years in Florida.
Deadlines compared
| State | Personal injury lawsuit | Wrongful death | Claim against government | Minors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | 2 years | 6-month claim | Clock starts at 18 (not for government claims) |
| Texas | 2 years | 2 years from death | 6-month notice (cities may be shorter) | Time under 18 doesn't count |
| Florida | 2 years (4 before Mar 24, 2023) | 2 years | 3-year claim, 4-year lawsuit | See a lawyer |
Why the deadline matters so much
A statute of limitations is a hard cutoff. If you file one day late, the court can dismiss the case no matter how strong it is. Insurance companies know the dates too, and talking with an adjuster generally doesn't pause the clock. Exceptions exist, like the rules for children, but they're narrow.
Workers' comp has its own, shorter deadlines. In all three states you have 30 days to report a job injury to your employer. See what to do if you're hurt at work.
California calculator
2 years, or a 6-month claim against a public entity.
Texas calculator
2 years, and the Tort Claims Act notice rule.
Florida calculator
The 2023 change from 4 years to 2.