Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Oregon
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from The two-year clock generally starts on the date of the motor-vehicle accident, when the injury occurs., under Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110.
Advertisement
The deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in Oregon is 2 years, set by Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110. It starts running on The two-year clock generally starts on the date of the motor-vehicle accident, when the injury occurs.. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Oregon Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Car Accident | 2 years | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | ORS 12.110(4) |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | ORS § 30.020 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | ORS 12.120(2) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Oregon, the limitations period for car accident lawsuits generally begins on The two-year clock generally starts on the date of the motor-vehicle accident, when the injury occurs.. Oregon recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Oregon applies a discovery rule to personal-injury negligence actions, so the two-year period under Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 runs from when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its tortious cause; in most car-accident cases this coincides with the date of the crash.
Advertisement
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: Under the Oregon Tort Claims Act, a claimant must give notice of a personal-injury claim against a public body within 180 days after the loss or injury (Or. Rev. Stat. § 30.275).
The two-year limitation period for injuries to the person not arising on contract is set by Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1). Tolling for plaintiffs who are minors or otherwise incapacitated is provided by Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.160.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110, official Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 2 years | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 |
| Washington | 3 yrs | Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080 |
| Idaho | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Oregon?
You have 2 years from The two-year clock generally starts on the date of the motor-vehicle accident, when the injury occurs., under Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Oregon?
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 Oregon?
Yes. Oregon applies a discovery rule to personal-injury negligence actions, so the two-year period under Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 runs from when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its tortious cause; in most car-accident cases this coincides with the date of the crash.
What if the victim was a minor?
Oregon 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?
Under the Oregon Tort Claims Act, a claimant must give notice of a personal-injury claim against a public body within 180 days after the loss or injury (Or. Rev. Stat. § 30.275).
Advertisement
Sources
- Official Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 12 (Limitations of Actions and Suits), § 12.110 — Oregon State Legislature
- Corroborating OR Rev Stat § 12.110 — 2025 Oregon Revised Statutes — Justia
- Corroborating ORS 12.110 — Actions for certain injuries to person not arising on contract — Oregon Public Law
- 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 Oregon attorney.