The Library

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Los Angeles?

Personal Injury · By California Personal Injury Attorneys · May 21, 2026

Understand the critical deadlines to file a car accident claim in Los Angeles, including two-year personal injury and six-month government claim rules.

In California, you have two years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Property damage claims carry a three-year deadline. Claims against government entities require filing an administrative claim within six months under Government Code section 911.2. After a car accident in Los Angeles, one of the most important questions victims face is how much time they have to pursue compensation. Whether you were rear-ended on the US-101 Encino corridor, struck by a distracted driver turning off Ventura Boulevard, or sideswiped…