What is the personal injury statute of limitations?

The statute of limitations is a very important factor in liability litigation since it determines the time period within which victims of a personal injury tort can file a personal injury claim in court. The statute of limitations specifies a period of time to report an accident starting the moment it has occurred or the moment the harmed person has discovered the personal injury.

Every state has their own specific legislation outlining the statute of limitations for personal injuries. The period to file a claim ranges from six months to six years, depending on the state (see Table 1).

If a personal injury claim is filed after the period set by the statute of limitations of the respective state, the lawsuit will be dismissed for being untimely.

Table 1. Personal Injury Statute of Limitations by State.

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