In Arizona, waiting too long to act can permanently end your right to compensation — no matter how strong your case is. Most personal injury claims have a two-year deadline, but several situations cut that window significantly shorter.
The general rule: two years
For most personal injury claims in Arizona — car accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip-and-falls, dog bites under the negligence theory — the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury (A.R.S. § 12-542). If you don't file a lawsuit within that window, the court will dismiss your case, and the insurer has no legal obligation to pay anything.
The exceptions that shorten the deadline
Claims against a government entity — a city bus, a public hospital, a government vehicle — require a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days of the injury, and a lawsuit must follow within one year. Missing the 180-day notice deadline ends the claim entirely. Arizona's strict-liability dog bite statute (A.R.S. § 11-1025) also carries a one-year deadline, shorter than the standard two-year negligence window. Claims involving minors are treated differently — the clock generally doesn't start until the child turns 18, which is why childhood injury cases can surface years later.
Discovery of injury
In limited situations, the deadline runs from when the injury was discovered, or reasonably should have been discovered, rather than from the date of the incident. This comes up in cases where the harm wasn't immediately apparent — certain toxic exposure cases, for example. It's the exception, not the rule, and shouldn't be counted on without legal advice about your specific facts.
Why starting early matters even when you have time
Two years sounds like a lot. It isn't when you're also recovering from injuries, dealing with medical bills, and managing an insurance dispute. Surveillance footage gets overwritten in days. Witnesses move and forget details. Physical evidence at the scene disappears. A demand letter sent early also gives the insurer time to evaluate and respond before trial is the only option. Starting a claim while the evidence is fresh produces better outcomes than filing a lawsuit weeks before the deadline.
Not sure which deadline applies?
If a government vehicle or facility was involved in your injury, the 180-day clock is already running. See our post on the Arizona statute of limitations for personal injury for more detail on specific exceptions.
Our personal injury attorneys handle claims throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.