Car Accident Statute of Limitations by State

The short answer

How the deadlines stack up

Two years is the most common deadline.
A majority of states give you two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim.
A few give only one year.
Kentucky and Tennessee are among the shortest, at one year — so don't assume you have long.
Some give three years or more.
Maine and North Dakota allow up to six. The exact figure depends on your state and the type of claim.
Always confirm your own state's current statute.
These deadlines change — Florida's dropped from four years to two in 2023.

The deadline to file — the statute of limitations — is one of the few hard rules in a car accident claim. Miss it and the court can dismiss your case regardless of fault. The figure depends on which state's law applies (usually the state where the crash happened) and sometimes on the type of claim. Below is how the range looks, with the underlying statutes for the states we've verified.

Verify before you rely on it. This table shows the general personal-injury deadline and is for orientation only. Deadlines change, and the exact limit can depend on the type of claim — for example, claims involving a government vehicle often carry a much shorter notice deadline. We're verifying and adding the remaining states against their current statutes; this table is expanding. For any state not yet listed, or to confirm a deadline you're relying on, check your state's current statute or ask a qualified attorney. Last reviewed June 2026.

Verified state deadlines

State	Deadline (injury)	Statute	Notes
Kentucky	1 year	KRS §413.140	Among the shortest in the US.
Tennessee	1 year	Tenn. Code Ann. §28-3-104	Among the shortest in the US.
Florida	2 years	HB 837 (2023), Fla. Stat. §95.11	Reduced from 4 years in March 2023. (No-fault until Jan 1, 2027.)
Georgia	2 years	O.C.G.A. §9-3-33
Louisiana	2 years	Act 423 (2024), La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1	Increased from 1 year, effective July 1, 2024.
Texas	2 years	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003
Colorado	3 years	C.R.S. §13-80-101(1)(n)	Motor-vehicle claims get 3 years (general injury claims are 2).
Maine	6 years	14 M.R.S. §752	Among the longest in the US.
North Dakota	6 years	N.D.C.C. §28-01-16	Among the longest in the US.

Deadlines shown are the general personal-injury limit for the state unless noted. Remaining states are being added as each is verified against its current statute.

How the rest of the country compares

While we complete the verified table, the broad picture is consistent across the states: two years is the most common limit, a small number of states sit at one year, several allow three, and a handful stretch to four, five or six. Very few give less than the day-of-accident clock would suggest — except where a special shorter deadline applies, as below.

What starts and pauses the clock

In most states the clock starts on the date of the accident. A narrow "discovery rule" can delay the start for injuries that genuinely couldn't have been known at the time, and the deadline is often "tolled" (paused) for injured minors until they turn 18. Our hub guide explains these in plain English:

The big exception: government vehicles

If a city, county, state or federal vehicle was involved, a separate and much shorter notice deadline usually applies — sometimes only a few months — before you can bring a claim at all. These are strict and easy to miss, so if a public vehicle was involved, treat the timeline as urgent and get advice quickly.

Key takeaways

Two years is the most common car-accident filing deadline.
Kentucky and Tennessee are as short as one year; Maine and North Dakota reach six.
Florida cut its deadline from four years to two in 2023 — deadlines change.
Government-vehicle claims can require notice within a few months.
Confirm your own state's current statute before relying on any date.

Common questions

Which state's deadline applies to my accident?

Usually the state where the accident happened. If you're unsure — for example, you were travelling — it's worth confirming, because the deadlines differ.

Why did Florida's deadline change?

Florida reduced its personal-injury statute of limitations from four years to two under HB 837, signed in March 2023, for claims accruing on or after that date. It's a good reminder that these deadlines do change.

Is the deadline for a car accident different from other injury claims?

Often it's the same general personal-injury limit, but some states have specific rules for motor-vehicle claims — Colorado, for instance, gives three years for vehicle accidents. Always check the rule for your state and claim type.

What if a government vehicle was involved?

A much shorter notice deadline usually applies — sometimes just a few months. These are strict, so if a public vehicle was involved, get advice quickly.

Sources & how we keep this accurate

Compiled by The Accident Advisory editorial team from the primary statutes cited in the table, checked as of the last review. We add states as each is verified against its current statute. Statutes change — confirm your state's current law before relying on a deadline. Last reviewed June 2026. (See our Editorial Policy.)

State statutes as cited in the table above (e.g. Fla. HB 837 (2023); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003; O.C.G.A. §9-3-33; C.R.S. §13-80-101; KRS §413.140; Tenn. Code Ann. §28-3-104; 14 M.R.S. §752; N.D.C.C. §28-01-16; La. Act 423 (2024)). (accessed June 2026).
Insurance Information Institute (III) — the claims process. iii.org (accessed June 2026).

The Accident Advisory provides free, general information and is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The deadlines shown are general and may not reflect every exception in your situation; confirm your state's current statute or speak with a qualified attorney before relying on any deadline. Laws change over time.