Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accidents by State

The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Miss it, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how strong your case.

What is the Statute of Limitations?

It's the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit, starting from the date of your accident. Different states have different deadlines, ranging from 1 to 6 years.

State-by-State Breakdown

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1 Year

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Tennessee

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2 Years

• Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia

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3 Years

• Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin

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4 Years

• Florida, Nebraska, Wyoming

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6 Years

• Maine, North Dakota

Special Circumstances

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Discovery Rule Some states start the clock when you discover (or should have discovered) your injury, not necessarily the accident date.

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Minors Typically, the statute is "tolled" (paused) until the minor turns 18.

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Government Defendants Claims against government entities often have much shorter deadlines—sometimes 30-180 days for notice requirements.

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Defendant Leaves State If the defendant flees, the statute may be tolled.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Even if you have years to file, acting quickly:

• Preserves evidence

• Locates witnesses while memories fresh

• Demonstrates seriousness to insurers

• Gives your attorney time to build the case