Oregon · Deadline to sue · Updated Oct 2026
Deadline to sue after a car accident in Oregon
Time limits, government claims and a calculator.
Short answer
In Oregon, you generally have 6 years to sue for car damage and 2 years for an injury, counted from the crash. To sue a state agency, city or county, you must give notice of claim within 180 days (1 year for wrongful death) (ORS 30.275).
- Property damage (your car)
- 6 years
- Injury
- 2 years
- Law
- ORS 12.080(4) (injury to personal property, 6 years), ORS 12.110(1) (injury, 2 years)
- Small claims limit
- $10,000
Claims against a government in Oregon
- To sue a state agency, city or county, you must give notice of claim within 180 days (1 year for wrongful death) (ORS 30.275).
More facts for Oregon
- The $2,500 reporting threshold can be raised every 5 years for inflation (ORS 811.720(3)).
Deadline to sue in Oregon
Protecting your deadline in Oregon
- Your earliest deadline in Oregon: 2 years.
- If a government was involved, act fast. To sue a state agency, city or county, you must give notice of claim within 180 days (1 year for wrongful death) (ORS 30.275).
- Small claims, for car damage up to $10,000: Oregon 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 Oregon
Questions about deadlines to sue in Oregon
How long do you have to sue for an injury after a car accident in Oregon?
2 years from the crash (ORS 12.080(4) (injury to personal property, 6 years), ORS 12.110(1) (injury, 2 years)).
How long do you have to sue for car damage after an accident in Oregon?
6 years from the crash (ORS 12.080(4) (injury to personal property, 6 years), ORS 12.110(1) (injury, 2 years)).
How do claims against a government work in Oregon?
To sue a state agency, city or county, you must give notice of claim within 180 days (1 year for wrongful death) (ORS 30.275).
What is the small claims limit in Oregon?
$10,000 (claims of $750 or less must go to small claims).
More for Oregon drivers
- All car accident rules in Oregon
- Comparative fault
- 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
- ORS chapter 811 (collision reporting)
- ORS chapter 742 (PIP, UM)
- ORS 806.070 Minimum payment schedule
- ORS 31.600 Comparative negligence
- ORS chapter 12 (limitations)
- ORS 30.275 Notice of claim
- ORS 746.230 Unfair claim settlement practices
- Oregon DMV: Collision Reporting and Responsibilities
- Oregon DFR: File a complaint
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.