This section answers questions people ask after a crash or once an injury claim is underway: whether and how to hire a lawyer, what mediation and depositions mean, who decides fault, how long you have to report a crash, and how long a lawsuit runs. The deadline to file an injury lawsuit is generally two years in California and Texas and three years in Washington.
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What does each page in this section cover?
Each page answers one question in plain language and explains where California, Texas and Washington handle it differently. Every rule is linked to the official source, so you can read the law yourself. The pages are general information about how claims work. They are not a prediction about your own case.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?
In California the time to sue for an injury caused by someone else is generally two years from the injury, according to the California Courts. Texas also allows generally two years under section 16.003 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Washington allows three years under RCW 4.16.080. Claims against a government agency have shorter notice deadlines, so check those first if a public vehicle or public property was involved.
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Tell us what happened and where the claim stands. Our team reviews it and explains your options. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
When should I talk to a lawyer?
Many people call after an insurer makes an offer, stops answering, or asks for a recorded statement. Others call when an injury needs more treatment than they expected. A consultation helps you understand your deadlines and options before you sign anything. Bring the claim number, the adjuster’s name, any letters from the insurer and a list of the doctors you have seen. If you do not speak English comfortably, ask for the consultation in Spanish.
What to do now
- Write down the date of the injury and your deadline to sue.
- Keep your medical records, bills, photos and letters together.
- Read the page in this section that matches your question.
- If you still have questions, call us.
Beverly Law handles injury cases in California, Texas and Washington. Call (310) 552-6959. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Pages in this section
- Is Mediation Legally Binding in a Personal Injury Case?
- What Happens After a Deposition in a Personal Injury Case?
- What Are Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case?
- How to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
- Can Undocumented Immigrants Sue for Personal Injury?
- Can You Reopen a Personal Injury Case?
- What Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth in California?
- How to Prove Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
- Are Slip and Fall Cases Hard to Win?
- Should I Get a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall?
- How Much Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth?
- Do Most Slip and Fall Cases Settle Out of Court?
- When to Consult a Lawyer for a Truck Accident
- What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do? How Semi and Jackknife Crashes Are Investigated
- How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost? Contingency Fees and Case Costs
- How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
- What Is Discovery in a Truck Accident Case?
- What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
- Does Health Insurance Cover Motorcycle Accident Injuries? Health Plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Repayment
- What Percentage of Motorcycle Accidents Are the Rider's Fault?
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?
- What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
- Can You Sue Uber for an Accident?
- What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
- Do You Need a Tetanus Shot for a Dog Bite?
- What Do You Do for a Dog Bite? First Aid, Medical Care and Your Rights
- What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
- Who Gets the Money in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
- Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable?
- How Do You Prove Wrongful Death?
- How to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
- How Long Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take?
- How to Calculate Wrongful Death Damages
- Can You Sue a Hospital for Wrongful Death?
- Can You Sue a Nursing Home?
- Can You Sue for a Brain Injury?
- Can I Sue for a Burn Injury?
- How Long Does Whiplash Last?
- Can You Get a Concussion From Whiplash?
- How Long Should I Be Off Work for Whiplash?
- How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take?
- Who Determines Fault in a Car Accident?
- How Long Do I Have to Report a Car Accident?
- What Is a Degloving Injury?
- What Is a Slip and Fall?
- What Does a Flashing Red Light Mean?
- Types of Medication Errors, and When One Becomes Malpractice
- Duty of Care Examples: Who Owes You Reasonable Care?
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Personal Injury Questions — Beverly Law
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Important: This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Beverly Law. Laws change and every case is different; talk to a lawyer about your own situation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: 2026-11-12.