After an injury, most people are focused on healing, not deadlines. Yet one of the most important things to understand early is the statute of limitations, the legal time limit for filing a claim. Miss it, and even a strong case can be barred forever. Here is how the deadlines generally work in California.
The general rule: two years
For most personal injury cases in California, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. This covers common situations such as car accidents, motorcycle and bicycle crashes, slip and fall injuries, and dog bites. If you do not file within that window, the court can dismiss your case no matter how clear the other side's fault may be.
When the clock starts later
Sometimes an injury is not obvious right away. Under the discovery rule, the two year clock may start when you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, that you were harmed. This matters most in cases where symptoms appear gradually. Because whether the rule applies is a fact specific question, it is not something to rely on without legal advice.
Claims against a government entity: six months
If your injury involved a city, county, or state agency, for example a crash with a public bus, a dangerous condition on public property, or a government vehicle, a much shorter deadline usually applies. In most cases you must file a formal claim with the government entity within six months. If the claim is denied, you then have a limited time to file a lawsuit. These cases move quickly, so acting early is essential.
Injuries to minors
When the injured person is a child, the deadline is generally paused until they turn 18, at which point the two year period typically begins. Claims for a child's medical bills, however, may follow different timelines. If a child was hurt, it is worth confirming the applicable deadlines rather than assuming there is plenty of time.
Why waiting hurts your case, even before the deadline
The statute of limitations is the outer limit, not the goal. Long before it runs, evidence starts to fade. Vehicles are repaired, video footage is overwritten, witnesses forget details, and memories blur. The sooner an attorney can gather and preserve evidence, the stronger your claim tends to be. Waiting rarely helps and often quietly weakens a case.
Not sure which deadline applies to you?
Deadlines vary by the type of case and who was involved, and the exceptions are easy to miss. If you were injured and are unsure how much time you have, the safest step is to ask. MVP Law Group offers a free case review, and there is no fee unless we recover for you. Learn more on our personal injury page, or read what to do after a car accident in California.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Deadlines and exceptions depend on the specific facts of your case. Contact MVP Law Group promptly for advice tailored to your situation.