Alaska · Deadline to sue · Updated Oct 2026

Deadline to sue after a car accident in Alaska

Time limits, government claims and a calculator.

Short answer

In Alaska, you generally have 2 years from the crash to sue, for car damage and for an injury. Small claims court in Alaska cannot hear claims against the State of Alaska or the U.S. government.

Property damage (your car)
2 years
Injury
2 years
Law
AS 09.10.070(a)
Small claims limit
$10,000

Claims against a government in Alaska

  • Small claims court in Alaska cannot hear claims against the State of Alaska or the U.S. government.

Shorter time limits to watch in Alaska

  • Crash report: In those same crashes, you must also send a written or electronic crash report to the Alaska Department of Administration (Division of Motor Vehicles), and to the local police if the crash was inside a city, within 10 days.

More facts for Alaska

  • Insurers must warn an unrepresented claimant in writing at least 60 days before a deadline (such as the statute of limitations) that could affect the claim (3 AAC 26.070(c)).

Deadline to sue in Alaska

Alaska: 2 years for property damageEnter the date of the crash to see the last day to file a lawsuit.

Protecting your deadline in Alaska

  1. Deadline for both kinds of claim in Alaska: 2 years.
  2. If a government was involved, act fast. Small claims court in Alaska cannot hear claims against the State of Alaska or the U.S. government.
  3. Small claims, for car damage up to $10,000: Alaska small claims guide on Small Claims Map
  4. Don't wait for the insurer: talks with an adjuster don't stop the clock.

Free help in Alaska

Questions about deadlines to sue in Alaska

How long do you have to sue after a car accident in Alaska?

2 years from the crash, for car damage and for an injury (AS 09.10.070(a)).

How do claims against a government work in Alaska?

Small claims court in Alaska cannot hear claims against the State of Alaska or the U.S. government.

What is the small claims limit in Alaska?

$10,000 (same for businesses).

More for Alaska drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.