Georgia · Deadline to sue · Updated Oct 2026
Deadline to sue after a car accident in Georgia
Time limits, government claims and a calculator.
Short answer
In Georgia, you generally have 4 years to sue for car damage and 2 years for an injury, counted from the crash. Before suing a Georgia government, send a written notice of claim: within 6 months for a city, 12 months for a county or the State.
- Property damage (your car)
- 4 years
- Injury
- 2 years
- Law
- O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-31 (property), 9-3-33 (personal injury)
- Small claims limit
- $15,000
We could not confirm all of Georgia's rules yet. Some facts on this page rest on limited sources. Check the official sources below, or ask a lawyer or legal aid office, before you rely on them.
Claims against a government in Georgia
- Before suing a Georgia government, send a written notice of claim: within 6 months for a city, 12 months for a county or the State.
Deadline to sue in Georgia
Protecting your deadline in Georgia
- Your earliest deadline in Georgia: 2 years.
- If a government was involved, act fast. Before suing a Georgia government, send a written notice of claim: within 6 months for a city, 12 months for a county or the State.
- Small claims, for car damage up to $15,000: Georgia small claims guide on Small Claims Map
- Don't wait for the insurer: talks with an adjuster don't stop the clock.
Free help in Georgia
Questions about deadlines to sue in Georgia
How long do you have to sue for an injury after a car accident in Georgia?
2 years from the crash (O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-31 (property), 9-3-33 (personal injury)).
How long do you have to sue for car damage after an accident in Georgia?
4 years from the crash (O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-31 (property), 9-3-33 (personal injury)).
How do claims against a government work in Georgia?
Before suing a Georgia government, send a written notice of claim: within 6 months for a city, 12 months for a county or the State.
What is the small claims limit in Georgia?
$15,000 in Magistrate Court for people and businesses; a new law raises it to $25,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.
More for Georgia drivers
- All car accident rules in Georgia
- Reporting a crash
- Uninsured driver
- Deadlines to sue in every state
- Small claims court for car damage
- Fault and payout explainer
- Insurance claim letter
- Police report request letter
Nearby states
- Georgia DDS: Manuals (Georgia Driver's Manual)
- Georgia OCI: Auto insurance
- Georgia OCI: Guide to Auto Insurance
- Georgia OCI: Auto claim tips
- Georgia OCI: File a consumer complaint
- Georgia Department of Revenue: Lapse or loss of insurance coverage
- Georgia Department of Revenue: Vehicle insurance requirements
- Georgia DPS: Open Records Unit
- Office of the Governor: Gov. Kemp signs tort reform (April 21, 2025)
- Georgia DDS: Georgia Driver's Manual 2023-2024 (PDF)
- Office of the Governor: SB 68 (2025), signed text
- Office of the Governor: HB 961 (2022), signed text (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33(b))
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.