Understanding Arizona's Two-Year Filing Deadline
Two years sounds like plenty of time, and for most Arizona crash claims two years is the rule. The trouble is that several Arizona claims do not run on that clock at all, and the ones that do not are measured in months.
The general rule: two years
For most Arizona injury claims, the deadline to file suit is two years from the date you were hurt. Miss it and the court can dismiss the case no matter how clearly the other driver was at fault, so the date matters more than the merits once it has passed.
One hundred eighty days if a public entity is involved
A city bus, a police vehicle, a public works truck, a dangerous condition on a public road — any of these put a claim under Arizona's notice-of-claim rules, which require formal written notice within 180 days and a lawsuit within one year. The notice also has to state a specific amount for which the claim can be settled, which is a requirement people filing on their own routinely miss.
One year for a dog bite
Arizona gives dog-bite victims a strict-liability claim that does not require proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous — a real advantage, attached to a one-year deadline rather than two. Because that is the stronger claim in most cases, a dog-bite injury is safest treated as a one-year matter.
Why the deadline is not the real deadline
Even where you have the full two years, the evidence does not. Camera footage is overwritten in days, vehicles are repaired or scrapped, and witnesses become unreachable. The practical window for building a case is far shorter than the window for filing one.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Arizona?
Generally two years from the date of the crash. If a government entity is involved, a written notice of claim is due within 180 days and suit within one year, so confirm which rule applies to your facts.
Does the two-year clock ever start later?
Sometimes. Arizona recognizes a discovery rule where an injury or its cause was not reasonably knowable right away, and deadlines can pause for minors. These exceptions are narrow and fact-specific.
Keep reading
This article is general information about Arizona injury law, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer about your situation.
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