Every injury claim in California has a deadline. If you miss it, you can lose the right to recover compensation no matter how strong your case is. That is why understanding the time limits early matters.
The General Rule: Two Years
For most personal injury claims, including car accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites, California gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death claims also generally must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Claims Against a Government Agency: Six Months
If a city, county, school district, transit agency, or the State of California may be responsible, the rules are much stricter. Before you can sue, you generally must file a written government claim with the agency within six months of the injury. Common examples include crashes involving city buses or government vehicles, and injuries caused by dangerous roads, sidewalks, or public property.
Other Situations That Change the Deadline
- Injuries discovered later: in some cases the clock starts when the injury was, or reasonably should have been, discovered.
- Minors: for many claims, the deadline is paused until the injured child turns 18, but government claim deadlines still apply.
- Property damage only: claims for vehicle or property damage generally have a three-year deadline.
Why You Should Not Wait
Even when you have time left on the clock, evidence does not wait. Video footage is overwritten, vehicles are repaired, and witnesses forget details. Insurance companies also notice when a claim sits idle. Speaking with an attorney early protects both your deadline and your evidence.
If you are unsure which deadline applies to you, call The JVB Law Firm for a free consultation.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; speak with a lawyer about your situation.