Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: A.R.S. § 12-542(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from the date of the accident, under A.R.S. § 12-542(1).
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Arizona law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a car accident lawsuit. The controlling statute is A.R.S. § 12-542(1), and the clock generally starts on the date of the accident. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Arizona Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Car Accident | 2 years | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542; § 12-611; § 12-612 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | A.R.S. § 12-541(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
When the Clock Starts
In Arizona, the limitations period for car accident lawsuits generally begins on the date of the accident. Arizona recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Arizona's common-law discovery rule delays accrual until the plaintiff knows, or with reasonable diligence should know, the facts underlying the claim (Doe v. Roe, 955 P.2d 951 (Ariz. 1998)).
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Before suing an Arizona public entity or public employee, a claimant must serve a notice of claim within 180 days after the cause of action accrues and then file suit within one year (A.R.S. §§ 12-821.01, 12-821).
The Arizona Constitution flatly prohibits any statutory cap on damages for personal injury or death (Ariz. Const. art. II, § 31), and minority tolls the two-year clock so it does not begin until the injured person turns 18 (A.R.S. § 12-502).
Source: A.R.S. § 12-542(1), official Arizona statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Arizona government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Arizona Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 years | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(4) |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 (NMSA 1978) |
| Colorado | 3 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Arizona?
You have 2 years from the date of the accident, under A.R.S. § 12-542(1).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Arizona?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to car accident lawsuits in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona's common-law discovery rule delays accrual until the plaintiff knows, or with reasonable diligence should know, the facts underlying the claim (Doe v. Roe, 955 P.2d 951 (Ariz. 1998)).
What if the victim was a minor?
Arizona generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Before suing an Arizona public entity or public employee, a claimant must serve a notice of claim within 180 days after the cause of action accrues and then file suit within one year (A.R.S. §§ 12-821.01, 12-821).
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Sources
- Official A.R.S. § 12-542 — Arizona State Legislature
- Corroborating A.R.S. § 12-542 (2025 Arizona Revised Statutes) — Justia
- Corroborating Arizona Civil Statute of Limitations Laws — FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Arizona attorney.