How Long Do I have to File an Injury Claim in Pennsylvania?

How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim in Pennsylvania?

After an accident, your first priority is recovery — getting medical care, managing bills, and getting your life back to normal. But there’s one deadline that can’t be ignored: the statute of limitations.

At Drake, Hileman & Davis, our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys have helped thousands of clients protect their rights after serious accidents. Here’s what you need to know about how long you have to file an injury claim in Pennsylvania — and why it’s so important not to wait.

1. The general deadline: Two years from the date of the accident or incident.

In most Pennsylvania personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit.  This deadline applies to common claims such as:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents

• Slip and fall and other premises liability injuries

• Dog bites and animal attacks

• Wrongful death claims (filed by surviving family members)

If you don’t file a lawsuit within two years, you could lose your right to seek compensation — even if the other party was clearly at fault.  If you have a question about a statute of limitation, give us a call.

2. Some cases have exceptions or shorter deadlines

There are situations where the two-year window may be shorter or longer, depending on the circumstances.

Claims against government entities

If your injury involved a city, county, or state agency — such as a crash with a municipal vehicle or an injury on government property — you must file a written notice of claim within 6 months. Missing that deadline can bar your case entirely.  There are other deadlines for claims against the Federal Government, like an accident with a U.S. Postal Vehicle.  You need attorneys who have handled these cases in the past.  We have, and we are ready to help you.

Injuries discovered later

If you didn’t immediately know you were injured (for example, due to medical malpractice or a toxic exposure), the clock may start when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury. This is known as the discovery rule, but it’s narrowly applied and should be evaluated by an experienced lawyer.

Minors (under 18)

For injured minors, the two-year statute of limitations generally does not begin until their 18th birthday, giving them until age 20 to file — but their parents or guardians may still have related claims that require earlier action.

3. Why it’s risky to wait

Even if you technically have time left, waiting to start your claim can make it harder to win.  Evidence fades — witnesses move, memories blur, and physical proof (like camera footage or accident debris) disappears. Insurance companies also know that delay often weakens a case and may use that to their advantage.

That’s why contacting an attorney early helps. Your lawyer can:

• Preserve and gather crucial evidence

• Handle insurance communication

• Make sure all deadlines are met

• Evaluate whether any exceptions apply to your situation

4. Protecting your rights with a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer

At Drake, Hileman & Davis, we’ve been helping injury victims across Bucks County, Montgomery County, Lehigh County, and throughout eastern Pennsylvania for decades. Our firm represents plaintiffs only — never insurance companies — and we take pride in helping our clients recover the compensation they deserve.  From Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, our attorneys can meet you at one of our five office locations, or inside your own home.  We will always make ourselves available to you.

When you call us, we’ll review your situation, explain exactly how much time you have to file, and guide you through every step of the claims process. We don’t charge any fees unless we win compensation for you.

Don’t miss your window to file — contact us today

If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait until it’s too late. Understanding your filing deadline is critical — and so is having an experienced attorney on your side.

Drake, Hileman & Davis is here to help you protect your rights and your future. Contact us today for a free consultation.