Statute of Limitations: What Every Victim Needs to Know Before Time Runs Out

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline. Miss it and your right to sue disappears permanently. This guide breaks down every major deadline you need to know, by claim type and by state.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

Statute of limitations refers to legislation that imposes a limit on the duration within which legal action can be brought after an occurrence of an event. After the limitation expires, even the strongest of evidences cannot compel the court to entertain your case.

The rationale for such statutes is the need to ensure that legal matters remain fresh. However, such statutes not only place a limitation on the defendant but also on you from the very onset of damage.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases

If you sustained injuries because of someone’s negligence—whether it resulted from a slip and fall accident, a faulty product, a dog bite, or any other type of negligence—you will be bound by the statute of limitations for personal injury.

In most cases, such statute requires filing a lawsuit within 2-3 years after the occurrence of an accident. However, sometimes you can use the discovery rule, which would allow you to calculate your time limit according to the moment when you became aware of the injury.

Factors that will influence the statute of limitations:

• Where the injury happened
• Whether the injury has become apparent immediately after the accident or developed slowly
• Was it a government entity that was responsible?
• Did the victim become a minor?

In instances involving medical malpractice, additional protection provisions are included in the statute of limitation for personal injury claims, considering the patient’s lack of awareness of the act of negligence. Several states put an upper cap of 6 to 10 years regardless of when it is discovered.

Car Accident Statute of Limitations

A car accident statute of limitations will generally fall within the framework of personal injury laws applicable in a particular state. In the majority of jurisdictions, a plaintiff must bring forth his case within two years after the occurrence of an accident.

It is important not to confuse the deadline for filing a claim with the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Claims against insurers have much shorter deadlines that may amount to only 30 days, but if one does not meet the deadline for filing a lawsuit, he will be barred from doing so later.

Special circumstances that may shorten your time for bringing an action for damages:

• Hit-and-runs – These claims may be subject to special requirements for uninsured motorists
• State-owned vehicles – If a police car or municipal vehicle hits you, you may have as little as six months to file a notice of claim
• Accidents out of state – Deadline will generally depend on laws of a state where the accident occurred
• Delayed injury – Whiplash, back and spinal injuries, or a concussion may not manifest immediately

A smart decision would be to contact a lawyer immediately after the accident happens.

EEOC Charge Filing Periods for Filing Workplace Discrimination Cases

In case of facing any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation while working, you must file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before filing a lawsuit against your employer in a court of law.

The filing period for filing a charge with the EEOC is as follows:

• 180 days after the occurrence of the act of discrimination if your state lacks a fair employment practices agency
• 300 days after the discriminatory act if your state possesses an agency of Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA), which is true for almost all of the states

These charges are applicable for discrimination under Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, and the Equal Pay Act.

Felony Theft Statute of Limitations

Prosecutors initiate criminal cases against individuals accused of theft. However, the statute of limitations for felony theft is critical because it determines how long the authorities can pursue criminal charges following the offense.

For most states, statute of limitations for felony theft is:

• 3 years – Typically for moderate-level felonies (theft of $1,000-$10,000)
• 5-7 years – For substantial theft, embezzlement, or theft from government programs
• No limitation – In some states, there are no statutes of limitation for theft committed against public officers or when there is substantial monetary loss

As a victim of theft, you might be interested in pursuing a separate civil suit to claim compensation beyond criminal prosecution. Civil suits based on theft-related actions, such as conversion, usually require filing within 3 years.

Statute of Limitations for Fraud

Fraud actions possess an unusual element where time does not begin to run until fraud was discovered by you rather than the date of fraud itself. This is due to the very definition of fraud as something concealed from you.

In most states, a limitation period of 3 to 6 years with discovery provisions is prescribed in fraud claims, while for securities fraud under the SEC, a limitation period of 2 years after discovery and no longer than 5 years from the date of violation applies.

In the case of class-action suits regarding fraud, such as large-scale data breaches and predatory lending practices, courts may occasionally toll (suspend) the period of limitation for the whole class pending certification of the case.

Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse and Assault Claims

Within the past ten years, most states have expanded or even abolished statutes of limitations regarding childhood sexual abuse. Due to their trauma response and fear, it takes many years for children to report the sexual abuse committed against them.

Some recent developments, as of 2026, include:

• California, New York, and New Jersey – Abolished the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse or provided open windows to make claims
• Most states – Have tolled the statute of limitations until the child is at least eighteen years old and often beyond that
• Sexual assault of adults – Have a civil statute of limitations of 2-5 years following the abuse

If you are uncertain about whether your period is running, it might be wise to contact a lawyer.

When Does the Clock Start?

That’s when most victims get confused. The trigger isn’t always clear. Here are the top “clock starts” for most lawsuits:

• Injury date – Auto collisions, slips and falls, and other injuries with clear dates
• Discovery date – Poisoning, fraud, medical malpractice when no immediate harm was suffered
• Last payment date – Contract disputes and other civil suits
• Termination date – Wrongful termination claims and others involving employment termination
• Charge filing date – Criminal cases

Under What Conditions Is Tolling Permitted?

When tolling occurs, the clock stops running as far as deadlines are concerned. Tolling does not add more time indefinitely, but it does add time, depending on the circumstances. For example, some common scenarios where tolling applies are the following:

• The victim is under 18 years old
• The victim is mentally impaired
• There is fraudulent concealment
• The defendant moved out of state and could not be located
• The parties are involved in settlement discussions
• A class action is pending involving your claim

There are major differences between states when it comes to tolling. Always check with a lawyer first before assuming anything.

Table of State Statutes of Limitations

This chart provides the important deadlines for personal injuries, car accident cases, fraudulent activities, and felonious thefts in each of the 50 states. All figures are listed in years except where noted otherwise.

State	Personal Injury	Car Accident	Fraud (Civil)	Felony Theft	EEOC State Agency?
Alabama	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Alaska	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Arizona	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	7 yrs	Yes
Arkansas	3 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
California	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
Colorado	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Connecticut	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Delaware	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Florida	2 yrs	2 yrs	4 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
Georgia	2 yrs	2 yrs	4 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
Hawaii	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Idaho	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	No
Illinois	2 yrs	2 yrs	5 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
Indiana	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Iowa	2 yrs	2 yrs	5 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
Kansas	2 yrs	2 yrs	2 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Kentucky	1 yr	2 yrs	5 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Louisiana	1 yr	1 yr	1 yr	4 yrs	Yes
Maine	6 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Maryland	3 yrs	3 yrs	3 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
Massachusetts	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Michigan	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Minnesota	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Mississippi	3 yrs	3 yrs	3 yrs	7 yrs	No
Missouri	5 yrs	5 yrs	5 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
Montana	3 yrs	3 yrs	2 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Nebraska	4 yrs	4 yrs	4 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
Nevada	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
New Hampshire	3 yrs	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
New Jersey	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
New Mexico	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
New York	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
North Carolina	3 yrs	3 yrs	3 yrs	2 yrs	Yes
North Dakota	6 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	7 yrs	Yes
Ohio	2 yrs	2 yrs	4 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Oklahoma	2 yrs	2 yrs	2 yrs	7 yrs	Yes
Oregon	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
Pennsylvania	2 yrs	2 yrs	6 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Rhode Island	3 yrs	3 yrs	10 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
South Carolina	3 yrs	3 yrs	3 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
South Dakota	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	7 yrs	No
Tennessee	1 yr	1 yr	3 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
Texas	2 yrs	2 yrs	4 yrs	7 yrs	Yes
Utah	4 yrs	4 yrs	3 yrs	4 yrs	Yes
Vermont	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Virginia	2 yrs	2 yrs	2 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
Washington	3 yrs	3 yrs	4 yrs	5 yrs	Yes
West Virginia	2 yrs	2 yrs	2 yrs	3 yrs	Yes
Wisconsin	3 yrs	3 yrs	6 yrs	6 yrs	Yes
Wyoming	4 yrs	4 yrs	8 yrs	4 yrs	No

These figures represent the general civil laws. There may be exceptions for certain cases (malpractice, government entities, children). Consult your state’s licensed lawyer to confirm.

Class Action Members: Be Aware of Your Deadlines as Well

If you are a part of a class action lawsuit, be it product liability or data breach or consumer fraud cases, you will usually benefit from the time frame set out in the original complaint. However, this is true only when you are included in the class definition.

Here’s what you should be wary of:

• If the class action is decertified, individuals could find themselves having to act on their own within the existing time frame
• If you opt out of the settlement, you’ll have your individual deadline renewed in most cases
• If the notification of the class action lawsuit in which you were included was never provided to you, the individual deadline may still apply

Steps When Approaching a Deadline

If you believe you’re approaching, or maybe even missed, a deadline, don’t despair. Instead, reach out to an experienced personal injury or civil rights attorney right away, because…

1. There could be tolling exceptions that you are unfamiliar with
2. There are discovery exceptions if your injury went unnoticed
3. The government claim notice might save your claim without filing a lawsuit
4. An attorney can determine whether you have any legitimate claims at all without wasting your deadline

Personal injury attorneys provide free consultations and take cases on contingency. This means you pay nothing up front.

Key Takeaways:

• Statutes of limitations impose a strict deadline within which legal action needs to be filed or otherwise your claim becomes time-barred.
• Personal Injury Claims: generally a two or three-year period, depending on the state. The discovery rule may apply.
• Car Accident Claims: two years from the accident date in most cases. Claims against government agencies or their agents may have a reduced filing period.
• EEOC Statutes of Limitation: 180 or 300 days to file a charge. After receipt of the right-to-sue letter, 90 days in court.
• Felony Theft Limitations: generally 3-7 years from date of crime; civil action statutes of limitation may vary.
• Limitations involving fraud follow the discovery rule; the period begins from when you discovered the fraud, not when it occurred.
• Statutes of limitation may be tolled for minor victims, individuals suffering from incapacitation, and when fraud was committed and concealed.
• Rules vary greatly across states, thus consulting an attorney in your jurisdiction is always advisable.
• The statute of limitations on personal injury is one of the most frequently missed statutes—seek legal help promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What occurs when the statute of limitations expires?
   Your claim becomes time-barred and is likely to be dismissed, even if you sue after the limitation period ends. It can only be raised as an affirmative defense, and the judge is compelled to reject your case unless fraud or incapacity is involved.
2. How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in most states?
   In most states, there is a 2- to 3-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims. For example, California, Texas, and New York have 2- to 3-year limitation periods for filing such lawsuits. However, a small number of states, such as North Dakota and Maine, have a 6-year limitation period.
3. How much time do you have to file a complaint with the EEOC?
   Generally, you must file a charge of discrimination within 180 days after the alleged discriminatory event. However, this period increases to 300 days if there is a State law that bans the same type of discrimination covered by federal statutes.
4. When does the clock begin from my accident or the moment I learned about my injury?
   Depending on the state and the type of claim, it can differ. In almost all car accidents, the statute of limitations starts from the date of the accident. However, for latent injuries such as toxic exposure and medical malpractice, most states apply the “discovery rule.” It means the statute of limitations starts once the plaintiff discovers his/her injury.
5. Is it possible for minors to claim compensation when they become adults?
   In general, most states “toll” (suspend) the statute of limitations for minors until their 18th birthday. From then on, the regular statute of limitations will take effect. Nevertheless, some states allow minors to sue independently at any age but require parents or guardians to file claims in others.
6. What is the statute of limitations for felony theft?
   The statute of limitations for felony theft may vary depending on the state and the total amount involved. Usually, it ranges from 3 to 7 years for felony theft charges. Some states impose no statute of limitations for particular aggravated theft cases.
7. Does filing a claim with one’s insurance company stop the statute of limitations from running?
   Absolutely not. Claiming insurance benefits and initiating a lawsuit against someone else are two distinct legal processes, which do not impact each other. One could continue negotiating with one’s insurer and still miss the opportunity to file a lawsuit if the statutory deadline expired.
8. Does there exist a statute of limitations for murder and other violent acts?
   In most cases, the statute of limitations is no longer applicable to serious crimes such as murder and rape. They fall under the category of felony crimes, which means that one can be charged with such offenses at any time. Nevertheless, in civil matters, a statute of limitations may still apply.

Authority References

1. FTC Consumer Information – Fraud and Consumer Rights — Federal Trade Commission guidance on fraud and consumer protection timelines.
2. United States Courts – How Federal Courts Work — Background on civil and criminal jurisdiction across U.S. courts.
3. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute – Statute of Limitations — In-depth legal definition and state law summaries.
4. FTC Consumer Information – Fraud and Consumer Rights — Federal Trade Commission guidance on fraud and consumer protection timelines.