Minutes after a rear-end crash on Ventura Boulevard, Maria felt okay. Weeks later, her neck pain grew, and by the time she called us, the calendar was closing in on the deadline. She almost lost her chance to file because she did not know the California personal injury statute of limitations. Her story is common in Los Angeles traffic, where delays and confusion cost real money.
Here is the simple truth. The statute of limitations is the legal deadline to file your injury lawsuit. In most cases, you get two years from the crash date, and missing it can erase your right to compensation. If you are asking how long to file injury claim California, timing depends on the case type, discovery of your injury, and who you are suing.
Acting fast helps your case, and it helps your settlement. Evidence fades, witnesses move, and insurers take advantage of delay. As experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we move quickly to gather proof, line up medical support, and push for the highest recovery while you focus on treatment.
We will keep key terms simple. “Statute of limitations” means your filing deadline, “discovery rule” can extend the clock when injuries appear later, and “government claims” often require a six-month notice before any lawsuit. For a deeper primer, see our guide on Understanding California’s personal injury statutes of limitations.
In this post, we will cover exact deadlines, common exceptions, what starts and pauses the clock, mistakes that kill claims, and when to call a lawyer. We will also share practical steps after a crash in Los Angeles to protect your rights and maximize your settlement.
What Is the Standard 2-Year Rule for Filing Personal Injury Claims in California?
California generally gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is the standard statute of limitations, and it applies to most car, pedestrian, motorcycle, and slip and fall cases across Los Angeles. Miss it, and the court can bar your claim, even if your injuries are serious and your case is strong.
Here is what that means in plain terms:
- Two-year window: The countdown starts on the day you were hurt.
- Lawsuit deadline: Filing a claim with an insurer is not enough.
- Evidence matters: Early action protects proof, witnesses, and medical records.
Some cases get more time under the discovery rule, and claims against government entities require a six-month claim notice before any lawsuit. We cover those in later sections, but the safest move is to assume the two-year clock is running and act now.
Why the Clock Starts Ticking Right Away After Your Accident
The two-year period starts on the date of injury, not when the hospital bills arrive or when pain gets worse. Picture this: a pedestrian is hit in a Westwood crosswalk on April 12. The ER clears them, but knee pain flares months later, and an MRI shows a torn meniscus. The deadline is still April 12, two years from the crash, not from the MRI date.
Small details protect big cases:
- Write down the exact date, time, and location.
- Save photos, witness contacts, and the police report number.
- Get prompt medical care so your records match the timeline.
We track these deadlines for our clients, set multiple reminders, and file on time. That way, you can focus on treatment while we guard the clock and your rights.
Important Exceptions That Can Extend Your Deadline in California
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
Most injury claims in California follow the two-year rule, but a few key exceptions can shorten or extend your timeline. Knowing which rule applies can decide whether your case moves forward or gets shut down. Below are the two most common exceptions we see in Los Angeles cases and how to protect your rights right now.
Special Rules for Claims Against Government Entities
If your injury involves a government body, the timeline is far shorter. You typically have only six months to file a formal claim with the correct agency before any lawsuit. This applies to crashes with city vehicles, bus or street sweeper collisions, and injuries caused by dangerous public property, like a broken city sidewalk.
Miss that claim deadline and a court can dismiss your case. The form must be complete, on time, and sent to the right office. We act immediately to identify the agency, prepare the claim, and preserve your right to sue if needed. Do not wait. Reach out as soon as possible so we can file on time and start building your case.
How Minors and the Discovery Rule Change the Timeline
California pauses the statute for minors. The clock generally does not start until a child turns 18, then they usually have two years to file. Example: a 16-year-old hit by a car in Encino can file up to age 20, barring special circumstances. Parents can also bring claims sooner to secure evidence and medical funding.
The discovery rule can extend the filing deadline when an injury is not reasonably known right away. Think of a surgical error discovered months later, or a mild brain injury after a crash that only shows up with delayed symptoms. In those cases, the clock may start when you discover, or should have discovered, the injury and its cause.
For a deeper look at how delayed injuries affect timing, see our guide on the Discovery rule application in personal injury claims after rideshare incidents. Every case is different. Call us for advice tailored to your facts and dates so we can protect your deadline and your recovery.
What Happens If You Miss the California Personal Injury Deadline?
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
Missing California’s statute of limitations often ends a case before it starts. In most injury claims, you have two years to file a lawsuit. Claims against a government entity usually begin with a six-month administrative claim. If you file late, a judge can dismiss your case with prejudice, which means no second chance.
Here is what is at stake when the clock runs out:
- Case dismissal: Courts typically bar late claims, even strong ones.
- Lost leverage: Insurers know you cannot sue, so offers drop to zero.
- Evidence decay: Witnesses move, videos get overwritten, and records go missing.
- Narrow exceptions: Minors often get more time, and the discovery rule can apply when an injury is found later. Do not assume an exception saves you.
If you are still within the window, we move fast to file and protect your rights. For a look at the filing phase and beyond, see our guide on what to expect in your injury claim timeline.
Real Stories of Missed Deadlines and Their Lasting Impact
After a truck rear-end crash on the 101 near Sherman Oaks, “D.” waited for the other driver’s insurer to call back. He missed the two-year deadline by three weeks. The case was dismissed, and he recovered nothing for a spinal fusion he needed a year later.
A West LA cyclist “R.” hit a pothole on a city street. She did not know about the six-month government claim rule and filed a standard lawsuit at one year. The court tossed it. No recovery for surgery or her totaled bike.
Contrast that with a Studio City rideshare passenger “S.” who called us within days. We documented injuries, sent preservation letters, and filed well before the deadline. The case settled for seven figures due to clear liability and strong medical support.
Another client, a construction worker from Encino, suffered a mild brain injury that showed up months later. We tracked the discovery date, filed in time, and secured a seven-figure result that covered therapy and lost earning capacity.
The pattern is clear. When we control the timeline, we protect evidence, preserve options, and push for top value. When the deadline passes, even great cases can go to zero.
Act Fast: How Our Team Can Help You Meet Your Deadline and Maximize Your Settlement
Photo by Kindel Media
Deadlines drive results in California injury cases. We move quickly to protect your filing window, lock down proof, and build value from day one. Small timing choices, like sending a preservation letter in week one or filing a government claim before month six, can mean the difference between a strong settlement and no case at all.
Rapid Deadline Management
We treat your statute of limitations like a checklist with multiple safeguards. California generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but exceptions can shorten that window.
Here is how we keep your case on time:
- Immediate timeline audit: We confirm injury date, discovery date, and the parties involved, then identify the correct deadline.
- Multi-layer reminders: We create internal calendar holds and redundant reminders to prevent last-minute filing.
- Government claims fast-track: If a city, county, or state agency is involved, we prepare the six-month claim quickly and send it to the right office.
- Minors and discovery rule analysis: We analyze whether the clock is paused for minors or adjusted due to delayed injury discovery.
If you need a quick checklist of what to do in the first 72 hours after a crash, see our guide on Immediate Steps After a Car Accident in Los Angeles.
Evidence and Medical Proof Built Early
Great settlements come from great proof. We collect time-sensitive evidence before it disappears and match it with medical documentation that shows the full scope of harm.
Our early-action plan includes:
- Scene and video preservation: We request traffic cam, store, or bus footage, and contact nearby businesses before footage is overwritten.
- Witness outreach: We confirm statements while memories are fresh and get phone numbers and emails on record.
- Medical mapping: We coordinate prompt evaluations, ensure your records reflect symptoms and causation, and track specialist referrals.
- Damage documentation: We compile wage loss, out-of-pocket costs, and future care projections to support every dollar.
Example: After a Ventura Boulevard collision, we sent preservation letters within days and scheduled an MRI that confirmed a torn labrum. The early proof turned a low opening offer into a six-figure settlement.
Government and Special Deadlines We Handle for You
Different cases, different clocks. We identify them early and act.
- Standard injury: Two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Government claims: Six months to file an administrative claim, then strict follow-up deadlines based on the agency’s response.
- Minors: The clock usually starts at 18 for injury claims, with strategic choices about filing sooner to secure benefits.
- Property damage: Up to three years to file a property damage lawsuit, which we track separately when needed.
We explain your exact timetable in plain terms and keep you updated as we hit each milestone.
Settlement Maximization Strategy
We do not wait for the insurer to “get back to us.” We set the pace and build leverage with documented proof and clear liability.
How we push value higher:
- Liability clarity: We obtain reports, photos, and expert analysis to show fault and shut down blame-shifting.
- Medical depth: We highlight diagnostics, treatment plans, and future care to avoid “soft tissue” discounts.
- Comparative fault defense: We counter attempts to assign you blame under California’s comparative negligence rules.
- Negotiation pressure: We time demands around key medical milestones and prepare litigation so carriers know we will file on time.
We also help with quality-of-life proof. Journals, family statements, and day-in-the-life photos often move the needle more than numbers alone.
What You Can Do This Week
A few smart steps make a big difference. We guide you through each one.
- Get evaluated: See a doctor and follow the care plan. Gaps in treatment hurt value.
- Collect documents: Photos, medical records, bills, pay stubs, and repair estimates go in one folder.
- Keep a symptom log: Note pain levels, sleep issues, and missed activities a few times a week.
- Do not speak to adjusters alone: Refer calls to us. Recorded statements can be used against you.
- Mark your dates: Write down the crash date, discovery of any hidden injuries, and all agency deadlines.
FAQs: Deadlines and Settlement Timing
- How long do I have to file?
Most California personal injury cases must be filed within two years of the injury date. Claims involving a government entity require a claim within six months. Property damage claims often have up to three years. - What if my injury showed up later?
The discovery rule may apply when injuries are found later despite reasonable care. We document when symptoms were first noticed and how they were connected to the crash. - Can missing the deadline kill my case?
Yes. Courts often dismiss late cases, and insurers stop negotiating once they know you cannot sue. We file early to keep your leverage. - How fast can a case settle?
Straightforward cases can resolve in a few months, usually after we have stable medical records. Complex injuries or disputed fault can take longer, especially if we litigate to move offers. - What if the at-fault driver is a city worker or the crash involved a dangerous sidewalk?
We file the six-month government claim and pursue your case from there. Timing and accuracy are critical.
When we control the clock, your options grow, your proof is stronger, and your settlement potential rises. We do the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing.
Conclusion
Deadlines decide outcomes. In California, most personal injury cases carry a two-year filing window, while claims against a government entity often start with a six-month claim. Minors may have extra time, and the discovery rule can shift the clock when injuries surface later. Miss the deadline, and a court can dismiss your case, your leverage disappears, and insurers stop talking. Quick action keeps evidence fresh, protects your rights, and supports fair compensation.
We track every date, file early, and move fast on proof. From Encino to intersections across Los Angeles, we manage the clock and build value with clear liability, strong medical records, and smart timing. That is our concierge approach, with direct lawyer contact and updates you can trust.
If you were hurt in a crash, fall, or other incident, do not wait for pain to worsen or for an adjuster to call. Schedule a free consultation with partners Sean Bina, Payam Soliemanzadeh, or Bob Amirian. We are available 24/7. Let us protect your filing deadline, guard the evidence, and fight for the full recovery you deserve. Your next step matters. Call now and put our Los Angeles team to work for you.