Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: A.R.S. § 12-542 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of injury or, under the discovery rule, when claimant knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause, under A.R.S. § 12-542.
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Arizona law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The controlling statute is A.R.S. § 12-542, and the clock generally starts on Date of injury or, under the discovery rule, when claimant knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | 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 |
| 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 personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date of injury or, under the discovery rule, when claimant knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause. Arizona recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Arizona applies the discovery rule; the 2-year period may begin when the plaintiff discovered, or through reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury and its cause (Gust, Rosenfeld & Henderson v. Prudential Ins. Co.).
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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: Notice of claim must be filed within 180 days of accrual for government entity claims (A.R.S. § 12-821.01); a separate 1-year SOL applies to claims against government entities (A.R.S. § 12-821)
- Damage caps: No statutory cap on compensatory damages for general personal injury
Arizona follows pure comparative fault — plaintiff may recover damages even if 99% at fault; recovery reduced proportionally (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Separate 1-year deadline for claims against public entities.
Source: A.R.S. § 12-542, 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 |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 |
| Colorado | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona?
You have 2 years from Date of injury or, under the discovery rule, when claimant knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause, under A.R.S. § 12-542.
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 personal injury lawsuits in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona applies the discovery rule; the 2-year period may begin when the plaintiff discovered, or through reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury and its cause (Gust, Rosenfeld & Henderson v. Prudential Ins. Co.).
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?
Notice of claim must be filed within 180 days of accrual for government entity claims (A.R.S. § 12-821.01); a separate 1-year SOL applies to claims against government entities (A.R.S. § 12-821)
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Sources
- Official A.R.S. § 12-542 — Injury to person; two year limitation (Arizona Legislature)
- Corroborating Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542 (Justia)
- Corroborating A.R.S. § 12-542 (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.