Understanding California’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

If you suffered an injury in California because of someone else’s negligence, the clock is already ticking on your right to file a lawsuit. California law sets strict deadlines for personal injury claims, and missing them can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, no matter how strong your case might be. Knowing the California personal injury statute of limitations is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself after an accident.

Contact DC Law Group today at (833) DC-LAW-4U for a free consultation before your filing deadline expires. Our team can evaluate your claim and make sure your rights are protected.

This guide explains the specific deadlines you need to know, the exceptions that might apply to your situation, and the steps you should take to preserve your claim under California law.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in California?

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline that limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after an injury. In California, the general rule for personal injury claims is found in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 (CPC 335.1). Under this statute, you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.

This two-year window applies to most types of personal injury cases in California, including:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle collisions
• Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft
• Slip and fall injuries
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Assault and battery
• Medical malpractice (with a separate, shorter deadline discussed below)

If you do not file your lawsuit within this two-year period, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case. The defendant’s attorney will raise the statute of limitations as a defense, and California judges consistently enforce this deadline. There are very few situations where a court will allow a late filing.

According to the California Courts’ official self-help resources, the statute of limitations exists to ensure cases are resolved while evidence is still available and witness memories remain reliable. The policy behind these deadlines reflects California’s interest in finality and fairness for both plaintiffs and defendants.

When Does the Two-Year Clock Start Running?

For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations begins on the date the injury occurs. If you are hurt in a car accident on a California highway, the two-year countdown starts on the day of that collision.

However, this starting point is not always straightforward. California recognizes several situations where the clock may start later than the actual date of the incident.

The Discovery Rule

California courts apply what is known as the “discovery rule” in cases where the injured person did not know, and could not reasonably have known, that they were harmed. Under this rule, the statute of limitations begins when the plaintiff discovers (or should have discovered) the injury and its connection to the defendant’s conduct.

The discovery rule commonly applies in cases involving:

• Medical malpractice: A surgical error that a patient does not detect until months later
• Toxic exposure: Harmful chemical exposure where symptoms develop gradually over time
• Defective products: An injury caused by a hidden product flaw that was not immediately apparent
• Fraud-related injuries: Cases where the defendant deliberately concealed their wrongdoing

Even with the discovery rule, you cannot delay indefinitely. California courts expect plaintiffs to act with reasonable diligence once they have any reason to suspect an injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.

Exceptions That Extend the Filing Deadline

While two years is the standard deadline, California law provides several exceptions that may pause or “toll” the statute of limitations. Tolling temporarily stops the clock from running, giving certain plaintiffs additional time to file.

Claims Involving Minors

If the injured person is under 18 years old at the time of the accident, the two-year statute of limitations does not begin until they turn 18. This means a child injured at age 10 would have until their 20th birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit.

This exception exists because minors cannot file lawsuits on their own behalf. California law recognizes that a child should not lose their legal rights simply because a parent or guardian failed to act within the standard deadline. However, parents or guardians can still file a claim on behalf of a minor at any time before the child reaches adulthood.

Mental Incapacity

If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to manage their own affairs at the time of the injury, the statute of limitations is tolled until their capacity is restored. This applies to individuals who are incapacitated due to severe traumatic brain injuries, comas, or other conditions that prevent them from understanding their legal rights.

Under CPC Section 352, the tolling period for mental incapacity can extend the deadline significantly, but California imposes overall time limits to prevent claims from being brought decades after the underlying incident.

Defendant Absence from California

If the person who caused your injury leaves California afRG&VÖF–2’&–â–æ§W&–W2Â6öÖ2Â÷”÷F†W”6öæF—F–öç2F†B&WfVçBF†VÒg&öÒVæFW’7FæF–ærF†V—”ÆVvÂ&–v‡G2ãÂ÷à £ÇåVæFW”526V7F–öâ3S”ÂF†RFöÆƖærW&–öBf÷”ÖVçF–æ66—G’6âW‡FVæBF†RFVFƖæR6–væ–f–6çFǒÂ’WB6Ɩf÷&æ––×÷6W2÷fW&ÆÂF–ÖRƖ֗G2Fò&WfVçB6Æ–×2g&öÒ&V–ær’&÷Vv‡BFV6FW2gFW”F†RVæFW&ǖ–ær–æ6–FVçBãÂ÷ࠣƃ3äFVfVæFçB’6Væ6Rg&öÒ6Ɩf÷&æ–Âöƒ3à £Çä–bF†RW’6öâv†ò6W6VB–÷W”–æ§W’’ÆVfW26Ɩf÷&æ–gFW”F†R–æ6–FVçBÂF†RF–ÖRF†W’7VæB÷WG6–FRF†R7FFRÖ’æ÷B6÷VçBF÷v&BF†R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2â526V7F–öâ3S&÷f–FW2F†B–bFVfVæFçB—2’6VçBg&öÒ6Ɩf÷&æ–ÂF†R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2—2FöÆÆVBGW&–ærF†V—”’6Væ6RâF†—2&WfVçG2&W7öç6–&ÆR’G’g&öÒ’Vææ–ær÷WBF†R6Æö6²’’6–×ǒÆVf–ærF†R7FFRãÂ÷à £ÇãÇ7G&öæsãƇ&VcÒ&‡GG3¢òöF6Ævw&÷Wæ6öÒöö–çFÖVçBò#å66†VGVÆRg&VR66RWfÇVF–öâv—F‚D2Ærw&÷WÂöâFòf–æB÷WBv†–6‚W†6WF–öç2Ö’ǒFò–÷W”6—GVF–öââvR6â†VÇ–÷RFWFW&֖æRW†7Fǒ†÷r×V6‚F–ÖR–÷R†fRFòf–ÆR–÷W”6Æ–ÒãÂ÷7G&öæsãÂ÷ࠣƃ3ä–×&—6öæÖVçBöbF†RÆ–çF–fcÂöƒ3à £Çä6Ɩf÷&æ–Ç6òFöÆÇ2F†R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2f÷”Æ–çF–fg2v†ò&R–æ6&6W&FVBBF†RF–ÖRF†V—”6W6Röb7F–öâ67’VW2âVæFW”526V7F–öâ3S”ãÂâ–×&—6öæVBÆ–çF–fb&V6V—fW2FöÆƖærW&–öBöbWFòGvò–V’2âF†—2&÷f—6–öâVç7W&W2F†B–æF—f–GVÇ2v†ò&RVæ&ÆRFòW’7VRÆVvÂ6Æ–×2GVRFò–æ6&6W&F–öâ&Ræ÷BW&ÖæVçFǒ7G&—VBöbF†V—”&–v‡G2ãÂ÷ࠣƃ#äv÷fW&æÖVçBF÷’B6Æ–×3¢×V6‚6†÷’FW”FVFƖæSÂöƒ#à £ÇäöæRöbF†RÖ÷7B7&—F–6ÂW†6WF–öç2FòF†R7FæF&BGvòזV”F–ÖVƖæR–çföÇfW26Æ–×2v–ç7Bv÷fW&æÖVçBVçF—F–W2â–b–÷W”–æ§W’’v26W6VB’’6—G’Â6÷VçG’Â÷”7FFRv÷fW&æÖVçBV×Æ÷–VR7F–ærv—F†–âF†R66÷RöbF†V—”GWF–W2–÷Rf6RG&ÖF–6Æǒ6†÷’FW”FVFƖæRãÂ÷à £ÇåVæFW”F†R6Ɩf÷&æ–F÷’B6Æ–×27B„v÷fW&æÖVçB6öFR6V7F–öç2“ӓ3Rãb’–÷R×W7Bf–ÆRâF֖æ—7G&F—fR6Æ–Òv—F‚F†R&÷&–FRv÷fW&æÖVçBvVæ7’v—F†–âÇ7G&öæsç6—‚ÖöçF‡3Â÷7G&öæsâöbF†RFFRöb–æ§W’’âF†—2—2æ÷BÆw7V—C²—B—2&WV—&VBf—’7B7FW&Vf÷&R–÷R6âF¶RÆVvÂ7F–öâv–ç7Bç’6Ɩf÷&æ–v÷fW&æÖVçBVçF—G’ãÂ÷ࠣƃ3ä†÷rF†Rv÷fW&æÖVçB6Æ–Ò&ö6W72v÷&·3Âöƒ3à £ÆöÃà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsäf–ÆRâF֖æ—7G&F—fR6Æ–ÓÂ÷7G&öæsâv—F‚F†Rv÷fW&æÖVçBVçF—G’v—F†–â6—‚ÖöçF‡2öbF†R–æ§W’“ÂöƓà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsåv—Bf÷”&W7öç6RãÂ÷7G&öæsâF†RvVæ7’†2CRF—2Fò66WB÷”&V¦V7B–÷W”6Æ–ÓÂöƓà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsä–b&V¦V7FVB†÷”æò&W7öç6RgFW”CRF—2’ÃÂ÷7G&öæsâ–÷RF†Vâ†fR6—‚ÖöçF‡2g&öÒF†RFFRöb&V¦V7F–öâFòf–ÆRÆw7V—B–â6—f–Â6÷W’CÂöƓà£ÂööÃà £Çä6öÖÖöâ6—GVF–öç2v†W&Rv÷fW&æÖVçBF÷’B6Æ–×2&—6R–æ6ÇVFS£Â÷à £ÇVÃà£ÆƓä66–FVçG26W6VB’’ö÷&ǒÖ–çF–æVB&öG2Â֗76–ærwV&G&–Ç2Â÷”FVfV7F—fRG&ff–26–væÇ3ÂöƓà£ÆƓä–æ§W&–W2öâv÷fW&æÖVçBÖ÷væVB&÷W’G’‡&·2ÂV&Ɩ2’V–ÆF–æw2Â6–FWvÆ·2“ÂöƓà£ÆƓä6öÆƗ6–öç2–çföÇf–ær6—G’’W6W2ÂöƖ6RfV†–6ÆW2Â÷”÷F†W”v÷fW&æÖVçBÖ÷W&FVBfV†–6ÆW3ÂöƓà£ÆƓä–æ§W&–W26W6VB’’F†R7F–öç2öbV&Ɩ2V×Æ÷–VW2‡öƖ6Röff–6W’2Âf—&Vf–v‡FW’2ÂV&Ɩ266†ööÂ7Ffb“ÂöƓà£Â÷VÃà £Çä֗76–ærF†R6—‚ÖÖöçF‚v÷fW&æÖVçB6Æ–ÒFVFƖæR—2öæRöbF†RÖ÷7B6öÖÖöâæBFWf7FF–ær֗7F¶W2–â6Ɩf÷&æ–W’6öæ–æ§W’’ÆrâVæƖ¶RF†RGvòזV”7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2ÂF†—2FVFƖæR†2fW’’Ɩ֗FVBW†6WF–öç2â–b–÷R֗72—B–÷W”&–Æ—G’Fò7VRF†Rv÷fW&æÖVçBVçF—G’—2G—–6ÆǒvöæRf÷&WfW”ãÂ÷ࠣƃ#äÖVF–6ÂÖÇ&7F–6S¢6Ɩf÷&æ–w27V6–Â’VÆW3Âöƒ#à £ÇäÖVF–6ÂÖÇ&7F–6R6Æ–×2–â6Ɩf÷&æ–föÆÆ÷rF–ffW&VçBF–Ö–ær’VÆW2F†â7FæF&BW’6öæ–æ§W’’66W2âVæFW”526V7F–öâ3CãR–÷R×W7Bf–ÆRÖVF–6ÂÖÇ&7F–6RÆw7V—Bv—F†–ã£Â÷à £ÇVÃà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsäöæR–V#Â÷7G&öæsâg&öÒF†RFFR–÷RF—66÷fW&VB†÷”6†÷VÆB†fRF—66÷fW&VB’F†R–æ§W’’Âõ#ÂöƓà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsåF‡&VR–V’3Â÷7G&öæsâg&öÒF†RFFRöbF†RÖVF–6ÂG&VFÖVçBF†B6W6VBF†R–æ§W’“ÂöƓà£Â÷VÃà £Çåv†–6†WfW”FVFƖæR6öÖW2f—’7B6öçG&öÇ2–÷W”66RâF†RF‡&VRזV”÷WFW”Ɩ֗BƖW2WfVâ–b–÷R†Bæòv’öb¶æ÷v–ær&÷WBF†R–æ§W’’V&ƖW”Âv—F‚Ɩ֗FVBW†6WF–öç2f÷”66W2–çföÇf–ærg&VBÂ6öæ6VÆÖVçBÂ÷”F†R&W6Væ6Röbf÷&V–vâö&¦V7BÆVgB–âF†R&öG’GW&–ær7W&vW’’ãÂ÷à £Çä6Ɩf÷&æ–w2ÖVF–6–æ§W’’6ö×Vç6F–öâ&Vf÷&Ò7B„Ô”5$’Ç6ò–×÷6W27V6–f–2&WV—&VÖVçG2öâÖVF–6ÂÖÇ&7F–6R6Æ–×2–æ6ÇVF–ær62öâæöâÖV6öæö֖2FÖvW2æBÖæFF÷’’æ÷F–6RW&–öG2&Vf÷&Rf–Æ–ær7V—BâF†W6RFF—F–öæÂ’VÆW2Ö¶R—BW7V6–Æǒ–×÷’FçBFòƇ&VcÒ&‡GG3¢òöF6Ævw&÷Wæ6öÒö†÷r×FòÖf–ÆRÖÖVF–6ÂÖÖÇ&7F–6RÖÆw7V—BÖ6Ɩf÷&æ–ò#æÆV&â†÷rFòf–ÆRÖVF–6ÂÖÇ&7F–6RÆw7V—B–â6Ɩf÷&æ–ÂöâæB6öç7VÇBâGF÷&æW’V–6¶Ç’–b–÷R7W7V7BÖVF–6ÂæVvƖvVæ6RãÂ÷ࠣƃ#åv†B†Vç2–b–÷R֗72F†RFVFƖæSóÂöƒ#à £Çä–bF†R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2W‡—&W2&Vf÷&R–÷Rf–ÆR–÷W”Æw7V—BÂF†R6öç6WVVæ6W2&R6WfW&RæBG—–6ÆǒW&ÖæVçBâ†W&R—2v†B–÷R6âW‡V7C£Â÷à £ÇVÃà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsä66RF—6֗76ãÂ÷7G&öæsâF†R6÷W’Bv–ÆÂF—6֗72–÷W”66R–bF†RFVfVæFçB&—6W2F†R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2FVfVç6SÂöƓà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsäæò6ö×Vç6F–öã£Â÷7G&öæsâ–÷RÆ÷6RÆÂ&–Æ—G’Fò&V6÷fW”FÖvW2f÷”ÖVF–6Â&–ÆÇ2ÂÆ÷7BvvW2–âæB7VffW&–ærÂæB÷F†W”Æ÷76W3ÂöƓà£ÆƓãÇ7G&öæsäæò&&v–æ–ær÷vW#£Â÷7G&öæsâ–ç7W&æ6R6ö×æ–W2v–ÆÂ&VgW6RFòæVv÷F–FR6WGFÆVÖVçBöæ6RF†RÆVvÂFVFƖæR†276VBÂ&V6W6RF†W’¶æ÷r–÷R6âæòÆöævW”F‡&VFVâÆw7V—CÂöƓà£Â÷VÃà £Çä6Ɩf÷&æ–6÷W’G27G&–7FǒVæf÷&6R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2FVFƖæW2â§VFvW2†fRfW’’Ɩ֗FVBWF†÷&—G’Fòw&çBW‡FVç6–öç2ÂæB6Æ–Ö–ær–væ÷&æ6RöbF†RFVFƖæR—2æ÷BfƖBW†7W6RâÖç’66–FVçBf–7F–×2vöæFW”Ƈ&VcÒ&‡GG3¢òöF6Ævw&÷Wæ6öÒ÷FöòÖÆFRÖvWBÖÆw–W”ò#çv†Vâ—B—2FöòÆFRFòvWBÆw–W”f÷”6”66–FVçCÂöâÂæBF†Rç7vW”FWVæG2VçF—&Vǒöâv†WF†W”F†R7FGWFRöbƖ֗FF–öç2†2W‡—&VBâF†R6Ɩf÷&æ–7W&VÖR6÷W’B†26öç6—7FVçFǒ†VÆBF†BF†W6RFVFƖæW26W’fRW76VçF–ÂW’÷6W2–âF†R§W7F–6R7—7FVÒÂæBW†6WF–öç2&Ræ’&÷vǒƖVBãÂ÷àyour case and file before the deadline.

Steps to Protect Your Right to File a Claim

Taking action early is the best way to make sure the statute of limitations does not derail your case. Here are concrete steps you should follow after any injury in California:

1. Get medical attention immediately. Medical records create a documented timeline of your injury that supports your claim and establishes when the injury occurred
2. Preserve evidence. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Save police reports, medical bills, and correspondence with insurance companies
3. Identify the responsible parties. Determine whether your claim involves a private individual, a business, or a government entity, since different deadlines apply
4. Consult a personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can identify the specific deadline for your case, including any tolling provisions or shorter government claim requirements. Understanding the car accident lawyer process can help you know what to expect
5. Keep records of all deadlines. Mark the statute of limitations date and any interim deadlines (like the six-month government claim deadline) on your calendar

The sooner you begin the claims process, the stronger your case will be. Witnesses forget details, physical evidence deteriorates, and surveillance footage gets deleted. Filing early preserves the evidence that can make the difference between a successful claim and a dismissed one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still file a personal injury claim after two years in California?

In most cases, no. Once the two-year statute of limitations under CPC 335.1 expires, the court will dismiss your lawsuit if the defendant raises the defense. However, certain exceptions like the discovery rule, minority status, or mental incapacity may extend your deadline. An attorney can review your situation to determine if any exception applies.

What is the deadline for filing a claim against a California government agency?

You must file an administrative tort claim within six months of the date of injury. This is a mandatory first step before you can file a lawsuit against any city, county, or state government entity in California. Missing this six-month deadline will almost certainly bar your claim.

Does the statute of limitations apply to car accident claims in California?

Yes. Car accident injury claims in California are subject to the standard two-year statute of limitations under CPC 335.1. If a government vehicle or government-maintained road caused the accident, the shorter six-month government claim deadline also applies.

What if my child was injured in an accident in California?

The two-year statute of limitations does not begin running until a minor child turns 18. This means your child has until their 20th birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, a parent or legal guardian can file a claim on the child’s behalf at any time before the child reaches adulthood.

How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in California?

California requires medical malpractice lawsuits to be filed within one year of discovering the injury or three years from the date of treatment, whichever comes first. Exceptions exist for cases involving fraud, concealment, or foreign objects left in the body during surgery.

Protect Your Rights Before Time Runs Out

The California personal injury statute of limitations exists to bring finality to legal disputes, but it also means injury victims must act within strict deadlines to preserve their claims. Whether you are dealing with a standard two-year deadline, a six-month government tort claim, or a special medical malpractice timeline, getting legal guidance early is the single most effective step you can take.

DC Law Group helps accident victims throughout California understand their legal options and file claims before critical deadlines expire. Managing Attorney David Cohan and our team provide personalized representation on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no fees unless we win your case.

Contact DC Law Group at (833) DC-LAW-4U for your free consultation today. Whether you suffered catastrophic injuries or a premises liability incident, we are available to evaluate your case, explain your deadlines, and fight for the compensation you deserve.