Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Nevada
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of injury; or date of discovery if injury not immediately apparent, under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e).
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If you're researching personal injury lawsuits in Nevada, the single most important number is 2 years. That's how long Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) gives you to file a personal injury lawsuit, counted from Date of injury; or date of discovery if injury not immediately apparent. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Nevada Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Credit Card Debt | 4 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(2) |
| Medical Malpractice | 3 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41A.097 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.085, 11.190(4)(e) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | NRS 11.190(4)(e) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(b) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | NRS § 11.190(1)(b) |
When the Clock Starts
In Nevada, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date of injury; or date of discovery if injury not immediately apparent. Nevada recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Clock starts when plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered injury; reasonable person standard applies (NRS § 11.190(4)(e))
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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: May file administrative claim within 2 years; government damages capped at $200,000 per claimant with no punitive damages (NRS § 41.036)
- Damage caps: $200,000 cap per claimant against government entities (NRS § 41.036); no general noneconomic cap for private defendants
Modified comparative fault; plaintiff barred if 51% or more at fault (NRS § 41.141). Sexual assault of adults: no SOL (NRS § 11.217). Med-mal on/after Oct 1 2023: 3 years from injury or 2 years from discovery, whichever is shorter.
Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e), official Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 2 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Oregon | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Idaho | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 |
| Arizona | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada?
You have 2 years from Date of injury; or date of discovery if injury not immediately apparent, under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Nevada?
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 Nevada?
Yes. Clock starts when plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered injury; reasonable person standard applies (NRS § 11.190(4)(e))
What if the victim was a minor?
Nevada 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?
May file administrative claim within 2 years; government damages capped at $200,000 per claimant with no punitive damages (NRS § 41.036)
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Sources
- Official NRS § 11.190 — Nevada Legislature
- Corroborating Nevada Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations — Nolo
- Corroborating Nevada 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 Nevada attorney.