Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Idaho
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Idaho Code § 5-219(4) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from the date of the accident, under Idaho Code § 5-219(4).
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Under Idaho Code § 5-219(4), you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a car accident lawsuit in Idaho. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Idaho-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Idaho Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Car Accident | 2 years | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Credit Card Debt | 4 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-217 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(5) |
| Breach of Contract | 5 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-216 |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-216 |
When the Clock Starts
In Idaho, the limitations period for car accident lawsuits generally begins on the date of the accident. Idaho does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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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: A written claim against the State of Idaho or a political subdivision must be presented within 180 days from the date the claim arose or reasonably should have been discovered, whichever is later (Idaho Code §§ 6-905, 6-906).
- Damage caps: Noneconomic damages are capped by Idaho Code § 6-1603: a $250,000 base adjusted annually to Idaho's average annual wage ($490,512 as of July 1, 2024, topping $500,000 after the July 2025 adjustment); the cap does not apply to willful or reckless misconduct or to conduct that would constitute a felony.
Idaho rejects a general discovery rule for injury suits — Idaho Code § 5-219(4) deems the action accrued as of the time of the occurrence complained of (narrow foreign-object and fraudulent-concealment exceptions only), and § 5-230 caps minority tolling at six years.
Source: Idaho Code § 5-219(4), official Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 2 years | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Washington | 3 yrs | Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080 |
| Oregon | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(4) |
| Wyoming | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Montana | 3 yrs | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204(1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Idaho?
You have 2 years from the date of the accident, under Idaho Code § 5-219(4).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Idaho?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Idaho 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?
A written claim against the State of Idaho or a political subdivision must be presented within 180 days from the date the claim arose or reasonably should have been discovered, whichever is later (Idaho Code §§ 6-905, 6-906).
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Sources
- Official Idaho Code § 5-219 — Idaho State Legislature
- Corroborating Idaho Code § 5-219 (2025) — Justia US Law
- Corroborating Idaho Statutes § 5-219 — FindLaw Codes
- 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 Idaho attorney.