In California, you generally have two years from the date of a car accident to file a claim for your injuries. That deadline — the statute of limitations — applies to most injury claims, and missing it can end your case no matter how strong it is.
The tricky part is that some injuries do not show up right away. Neck, back, and head injuries in particular can surface days or weeks later. The deadline still generally runs from the date of the crash, though, so waiting is risky — the sooner you act, the more of that window you preserve.
Some situations change the timeline. If a government vehicle or agency was involved, a much shorter deadline — often about six months — can apply before you can even sue. Limited exceptions can also shift when the clock starts. Because these rules are strict, the safest step is to get advice quickly.