In Oregon, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and it is set by state law under ORS 12.110(1). If you miss it, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how serious your injuries are or how clearly the other party was at fault. That is why acting early matters so much.
For most car accidents and other injury claims, the two-year clock starts on the day the accident happened. In some situations, the deadline may start later, such as when an injury was not discovered right away and could not reasonably have been found until a later date. These exceptions are narrow and fact-specific, so they should never be assumed without a careful review of your case.
Some claims come with much shorter deadlines. If your injury involves a government body, such as a city vehicle, a public employee, or a hazard on public property, you must give written notice of your claim within 180 days under Oregon’s Tort Claims Act, ORS 30.275(2)(b). For wrongful death claims involving a public body, that notice period is one year. Missing these early notice deadlines can end your claim before it begins.
The safest approach is simple: do not wait. Evidence fades, witnesses move, and deadlines arrive faster than most people expect. At Youd Law, Lance Youd will review your case, explain the deadlines that apply to you, and make sure your claim is protected. It is free to ask Lance. Reach out today for your free case review.
Sources: Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 12.110, oregonlegislature.gov; ORS 30.275, oregonlegislature.gov.