Arizona · Deadline to sue · Updated Oct 2026

Deadline to sue after a car accident in Arizona

Time limits, government claims and a calculator.

Short answer

In Arizona, you generally have 2 years from the crash to sue, for car damage and for an injury. Claims against a city, county, the state or another public entity: you must file a written notice of claim with a specific dollar amount within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).

Property damage (your car)
2 years
Injury
2 years
Law
A.R.S. § 12-542
Small claims limit
$5,000

Claims against a government in Arizona

  • Claims against a city, county, the state or another public entity: you must file a written notice of claim with a specific dollar amount within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).

Deadline to sue in Arizona

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

Protecting your deadline in Arizona

  1. Deadline for both kinds of claim in Arizona: 2 years.
  2. If a government was involved, act fast. Claims against a city, county, the state or another public entity: you must file a written notice of claim with a specific dollar amount within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).
  3. Small claims, for car damage up to $5,000: Arizona 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 Arizona

Questions about deadlines to sue in Arizona

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

2 years from the crash, for car damage and for an injury (A.R.S. § 12-542).

How do claims against a government work in Arizona?

Claims against a city, county, the state or another public entity: you must file a written notice of claim with a specific dollar amount within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).

What is the small claims limit in Arizona?

$5,000 (Justice Court small claims division; raised from $3,500 in 2025).

More for Arizona drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.