If you were injured in a car accident in Las Vegas, Henderson, or anywhere in Clark County, the clock started running the moment it happened. Nevada sets a strict deadline — the statute of limitations — for filing a personal injury claim, and missing it means losing your right to compensation for good, no matter how badly you were hurt. Knowing how long you have is the first step to protecting yourself.
Nevada’s 2-year deadline for car accident claims
Under Nevada Revised Statutes Section 11.190, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a car accident lawsuit. That applies to car, truck, and motorcycle crashes and other motor vehicle collisions across Clark County and the rest of Nevada.
Two years can sound like plenty of time — until you realize how much has to happen inside that window. Medical treatment has to progress far enough to understand your injuries. Evidence has to be gathered, the crash investigated, and the claim negotiated with the insurer. All of that takes months, and waiting too long to get started puts real pressure on your case. Our statute of limitations guide covers the deadlines for other types of claims.
When does the 2-year clock actually start?
Usually it starts on the date of the crash. But not always:
- The discovery rule. If your injury wasn’t immediately obvious, the clock may start when you discovered it — or reasonably should have.
- Minor victims. If the injured person was under 18, the deadline is generally paused (tolled) until they turn 18 — meaning many child injury claims can be filed up until the child’s 20th birthday.
- Government vehicles. If a government vehicle or employee was involved, special rules apply. Under NRS 41.036, you generally must file a tort claim with the appropriate government entity within two years, and these cases carry added procedural steps — so they call for prompt legal advice.
Why you shouldn’t wait to contact an attorney
Insurance companies start investigating the moment a crash is reported — often with adjusters working the file within hours. Meanwhile, the evidence you’ll need is disappearing: surveillance footage gets overwritten within days, witnesses’ memories fade, and vehicles get repaired or scrapped. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
There’s a second reason speed matters, and it comes down to fault. Nevada is a modified comparative negligence state under NRS 41.141. If you’re found more than 50% at fault (51% or more), you can’t recover anything. At 50% or less, you can still recover — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. The other driver’s insurer knows this rule cold, and they start building the case that you share the blame right away. Every day that passes without preserving evidence is a day that works in their favor. Our post on protecting your rights after a crash covers the mistakes that let insurers shift fault onto you.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you try to file after the two years have run, the defense will almost certainly move to dismiss — and Nevada courts enforce the deadline strictly. With very limited exceptions, a missed statute of limitations means your case is over before it starts. That’s true even if you’re still in treatment or still negotiating with the insurer, which is exactly why it’s worth talking to an attorney early. Whether you even need one is a fair question, and our post on why you need an attorney after a car accident walks through it.
How Marathon Law Group helps
Car accident victims are dealing with physical, emotional, and financial strain all at once — the deadline shouldn’t be one more thing to track. We handle car accident cases throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and all of Clark County, working with medical providers, accident reconstruction experts, and investigators to build the strongest possible case. And if your deadline is approaching before your case is resolved, we can file suit to preserve your rights while negotiations continue.
We work on a contingency fee basis — no charge unless we win your case. If you were injured in a crash, contact us for a free consultation.
Call (702) 522-1808. Se habla español.
Frequently asked questions
What if the insurance company is still negotiating when the deadline approaches? Don’t treat ongoing negotiations as a reason to delay. If the deadline is near and your case isn’t resolved, we can file suit to preserve your rights while talks continue.
Does the 2-year deadline apply to property damage too? Property damage claims actually get three years under NRS 11.190. But since most crashes involve both injury and property damage, it’s safest to treat the two-year injury deadline as your controlling date.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured? You may be able to file under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Deadlines for these claims can differ from the standard two years, and your policy may require you to notify your insurer much sooner — so don’t wait. See our uninsured motorist guide.
What if I was hit by an out-of-state driver? You can still file in Nevada courts as long as the crash happened in Nevada. Nevada law and the two-year deadline apply regardless of where the at-fault driver lives. (If you were the visitor, see our guide for injured tourists.)
Does the 2-year deadline apply to minors? If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the crash, the deadline is generally paused until they turn 18 — so a child injured in a crash typically has until their 20th birthday to file. An attorney can confirm the exact deadline for your situation.
This article is general information about Nevada law, not legal advice. Every case turns on its facts — talk to an attorney about yours.