Arizona · Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona?

Arizona gives you 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542.

Updated 2026-05-22 · See all 50 states

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Key facts: Arizona

Personal injury deadline
2 years
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 →
Wrongful death deadline
2 years
When the clock starts
Generally the date of injury for personal injury claims; the date of death for wrongful death. Arizona follows the discovery rule for most negligence claims, which delays accrual when the injury was not, or could not reasonably have been, discovered at the time.
Last verified
2026-05-22
Source type
Primary (state code or court opinion)

Details and exceptions for Arizona

Two years for both PI and wrongful death. The wrongful death clock runs from the date of death. Claims against public entities require a Notice of Claim within 180 days, with a one-year filing deadline thereafter under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01. Discovery rule and minor tolling apply.

Related: Arizona comparative negligence rule

Arizona follows a pure comparative rule. Pure comparative negligence; full damages reduced in proportion to the claimant’s fault. Exception: no comparative-negligence recovery for a claimant who intentionally, wilfully, or wantonly caused or contributed to the injury.

Read the full Arizona comparative negligence rule →

Related: Arizona car accident settlements

The 2 years deadline is only one piece of a Arizona car accident claim. Our Arizona guide covers settlement ranges by injury type and city, with the fault rule and filing deadline applied.

Arizona car accident settlement calculator →

This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Notice deadlines for claims against governmental units, medical malpractice, intentional torts, and other special categories run on separate tracks and can be much shorter. Confirm the controlling rule with a licensed Arizona attorney before relying on it.

Filed in time? See what your Arizona claim could be worth.

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Arizona Statute of Limitations FAQ

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona?

In Arizona, the general personal injury statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542. Two years for both PI and wrongful death. The wrongful death clock runs from the date of death. Claims against public entities require a Notice of Claim within 180 days, with a one-year filing deadline thereafter under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01. Discovery rule and minor tolling apply.

Does Arizona have a separate deadline for wrongful death?

Yes. Arizona's wrongful death statute of limitations is 2 years. The clock typically begins on the date of death rather than the date of the underlying injury.

What happens if I miss the Arizona personal injury deadline?

The court will almost certainly dismiss the lawsuit on a motion by the defendant, regardless of the strength of the underlying claim. Some exceptions can pause or extend the deadline, including the discovery rule, tolling for minors, and tolling while a defendant is out of state, but none are automatic. Talk to a Arizona personal injury attorney before assuming a claim is barred.

What is Arizona's comparative negligence rule?

Arizona follows a pure comparative rule under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-2505. Pure comparative negligence; full damages reduced in proportion to the claimant’s fault. Exception: no comparative-negligence recovery for a claimant who intentionally, wilfully, or wantonly caused or contributed to the injury.

Where can I read the actual statute?

The controlling statute is Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542. The full text is available on the official Arizona legislature website; see the linked citation in the Key Facts section above.

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