Nevada Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?

If you have been injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, slip and fall, or another type of accident in Nevada, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

But there is an important deadline you need to understand: the Nevada statute of limitations.

A statute of limitations is a law that establishes a deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you wait too long to file a personal injury lawsuit, you may lose your ability to pursue compensation—even if you have a valid claim.

For many Nevada personal injury claims, the statute of limitations is two years. However, the deadline is not the same for every type of case, and exceptions may apply.

If you were injured in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada, it is important to understand how the statute of limitations may apply to your particular situation before assuming you have plenty of time.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in Nevada?

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit.

In personal injury cases, the statute generally determines how long an injured person has to bring a legal action after an injury occurs or, in certain circumstances, after the claim accrues.

Nevada has different statutes of limitations for different types of legal claims. The applicable deadline depends on the nature of the claim and the facts of the case.

For example, Nevada law generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for an action to recover damages for injuries to a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another. This deadline is set forth in NRS 11.190(4)(e).

That means someone injured in a typical negligence-based accident may have two years to file a lawsuit—but you should not assume that the two-year rule applies to every personal injury situation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Nevada?

For many personal injury claims, the answer is two years.

Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), an action to recover damages for injuries to a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another generally must be commenced within two years.

This can apply to claims involving:

• Car accidents

• Truck accidents

• Motorcycle accidents

• Pedestrian accidents

• Bicycle accidents

• Slip and fall accidents

• Premises liability

• Certain negligence claims

• Other personal injury claims caused by another person's wrongful act or neglect

However, the specific facts of your case matter.

There are exceptions, special statutes, tolling provisions, and different deadlines that can apply depending on the type of claim and the identity of the responsible party.

Do not wait until the last few weeks or months to contact an attorney.

A lawyer may need time to investigate the accident, identify responsible parties, preserve evidence, gather medical records, evaluate insurance coverage, and determine which legal deadlines apply.

Nevada Personal Injury Statute of Limitations: Quick Reference

Type of Claim	General Nevada Deadline
Many personal injury claims	2 years
Injury or death caused by wrongful act or neglect	Generally 2 years
Medical malpractice/professional negligence	Special rules apply
Claims involving governmental entities	Special rules and notice requirements may apply
Wrongful death	Special rules may apply
Claims involving minors	Special rules may apply
Claims based on other legal theories	Deadline depends on the specific claim

This table is a general overview and should not be used to calculate the deadline for a specific case.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Nevada?

If you were injured in a Nevada car accident, the general statute of limitations for a personal injury action caused by another person's wrongful act or neglect is generally two years.

For example, if you were injured in a Las Vegas car accident on August 25, 2026, you should not assume that you can simply wait until August 25, 2028 to contact an attorney.

The exact deadline can depend on the facts of the claim, how the cause of action is characterized, and whether an exception or tolling provision applies.

There may also be insurance deadlines and other practical considerations that arise well before the statute of limitations expires.

Why Contact a Lawyer Before the Deadline?

Waiting can make an injury claim more difficult to investigate. Important evidence can disappear. Surveillance footage may be overwritten. Witnesses may become difficult to locate. Vehicles may be repaired or sold. Memories can fade. Starting the process early gives your attorney more time to investigate what happened and build your claim.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall in Nevada?

Many slip and fall accidents in Nevada involve negligence or premises liability.

Depending on the circumstances and legal theory, the applicable statute of limitations may be two years. However, premises liability cases can involve complicated questions concerning who owned, controlled, maintained, or was responsible for the property.

For example, a slip and fall could occur at:

• A grocery store

• Casino

• Hotel

• Restaurant

• Shopping center

• Apartment complex

• Office building

• Parking lot

• Public property

• Private residence

• 
  

Determining the appropriate defendant and applicable deadline is important.

If you fell because of a dangerous condition on someone else's property, speak with a Las Vegas slip and fall lawyer promptly rather than assuming the general two-year deadline automatically applies.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Pedestrian Accident in Nevada?

If you were hit by a car while walking in Las Vegas, your claim may be subject to Nevada's general personal injury statute of limitations.

Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), actions seeking damages for personal injuries caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another generally must be brought within two years.

Pedestrian accidents can involve serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Broken bones

• Internal injuries

• Permanent disabilities

• Disfigurement

• Severe soft-tissue injuries

• 
  

Because serious injuries may require extensive medical treatment and investigation, it is important to begin the legal process as early as possible.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident in Nevada?

Motorcycle accidents can result in significant injuries and substantial financial losses. If another driver's negligence caused your motorcycle accident, Nevada's general two-year personal injury statute of limitations may apply.

However, motorcycle accident claims can involve disputed liability, comparative negligence, insurance coverage issues, and arguments about the rider's conduct.

Do not assume that an insurance company will accurately evaluate the value of your claim or that you have unlimited time to pursue it.

What If the Defendant Is a Government Entity?

Claims against a governmental entity can involve additional requirements and deadlines that are different from an ordinary personal injury claim against a private individual or business.

For example, an injury involving a public roadway, government property, public transportation, or another governmental entity may require additional analysis before a lawsuit can be filed.

Because governmental claims can have special procedural requirements, it is especially important to speak with an attorney promptly.

What Happens If the Nevada Statute of Limitations Expires?

If the applicable statute of limitations expires before you commence your lawsuit, the defendant may be able to assert the statute of limitations as a defense, potentially preventing you from pursuing the claim in court.

In practical terms, this can mean losing the ability to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Future medical treatment

• Loss of earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Permanent impairment

• Disfigurement

• Other legally recoverable damages

• 
  

This is why the statute of limitations should be treated as an important deadline—not something to address at the last minute.

Does Filing an Insurance Claim Stop the Statute of Limitations?

No. Communicating with an insurance company, submitting medical bills, negotiating a settlement, or making a demand generally should not be treated as a substitute for timely commencing a lawsuit when a lawsuit is required.

An insurance claim and a lawsuit are two different things.

If your statute of limitations is approaching, you should speak with an attorney immediately.

What Should I Do If My Personal Injury Deadline Is Approaching?

If you believe your Nevada personal injury statute of limitations may be approaching, do not wait.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Collect:

• Police or accident reports

• Medical records

• Medical bills

• Insurance information

• Photographs

• Videos

• Witness information

• Employment records

• Correspondence with insurance companies

• Any settlement offers

  
  

Step 2: Write Down the Important Dates

Identify:

• Date of the accident

• Date you first received medical treatment

• Date you discovered any significant injury

• Dates you communicated with insurance companies

• Any other potentially relevant dates

  
  

Step 3: Contact a Nevada Personal Injury Lawyer

An attorney can review the circumstances of your case and determine which statute of limitations and other deadlines may apply. The sooner you seek legal advice, the more time there may be to investigate and pursue your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada Statutes of Limitations

How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Nevada?

For many personal injury claims arising from a car accident, Nevada law provides a two-year statute of limitations. However, exceptions and different deadlines may apply, so you should have an attorney evaluate your specific circumstances.

Can I file a personal injury claim after two years in Nevada?

Possibly, depending on the type of claim and whether a statutory exception or tolling provision applies. You should not assume that you are automatically barred—or automatically entitled to additional time—without having your case evaluated.

What happens if I miss the personal injury statute of limitations in Nevada?

You may lose your ability to pursue the claim in court. The defendant may raise the statute of limitations as a defense, potentially preventing recovery.

Does an insurance claim extend the statute of limitations?

Do not assume that it does. Filing or negotiating an insurance claim does not necessarily replace the requirement to timely commence a lawsuit.

Is the statute of limitations different for medical malpractice and professional negligence?

Yes. Medical malpractice claims and professional negligence claims are subject to specific provisions under NRS Chapter 41A, including NRS 41A.097, which provides different timing rules than the general personal injury statute.

Can a minor's personal injury claim have a different deadline?

Potentially. Claims involving children can be subject to special rules, and the applicable deadline should be evaluated based on the child's age, the type of claim, and the circumstances of the injury.

Do Not Wait Until It Is Too Late to File Your Nevada Personal Injury Claim

If you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation—but time matters.

Nevada's statute of limitations can prevent an otherwise valid personal injury claim from being pursued if the applicable deadline expires.

Whether you were injured in a Las Vegas car accident, pedestrian accident, motorcycle accident, truck accident, slip and fall, or another type of accident, the first step is determining which deadline applies to your particular case.

At Banda Law Group, we help injured individuals understand their rights and pursue personal injury claims in Las Vegas and throughout Southern Nevada.

Do not wait until the statute of limitations is about to expire. Contact Banda Law Group as soon as possible so your potential claim can be evaluated and important deadlines can be identified.

Contact Banda Law Group to discuss your Nevada personal injury claim.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing on this site should be construed as an attorney-client relationship or as a substitute for legal counsel. For advice regarding your specific situation, please contact a licensed attorney.