State guides
Personal injury laws differ
state by state. Know yours.
Statute of limitations, comparative fault rules, damage caps — the rules that govern your claim vary significantly depending on where the accident happened. Find your state’s guide below.
States covered
Typical filing deadlines
Fault rule systems
Regularly for accuracy
Most searched states
Popular state guides
These states account for the highest volume of personal injury claims in the US.
CA
Most searched
California
Statute of limitations
2 years
Fault system
Pure comparative
Key detail
Med mal: $350K
Full California guide →
TX
High volume
Texas
Statute of limitations
2 years
Fault system
Modified comparative
Key detail
Non-econ: $750K
Full Texas guide →
FL
High volume
Florida
Statute of limitations
2 years
Fault system
Modified comparative
Key detail
PIP required
Full Florida guide →
NY
High volume
New York
Statute of limitations
3 years
Fault system
Pure comparative
Key detail
PIP required
Full New York guide →
IL
Illinois
Statute of limitations
2 years
Fault system
Modified comparative
Key detail
None (PI)
Full Illinois guide →
PA
Pennsylvania
Statute of limitations
2 years
Fault system
Modified comparative
Key detail
Choice no-fault
Full Pennsylvania guide →
All 50 states
Complete state index
Every state listed with its statute of limitations. Click any state for a full guide covering fault rules, damage caps, and local legal requirements.
Northeast
Southeast
Midwest
South & Southwest
Key legal concepts
Laws that vary by state - explained
These are the most important legal rules that differ between states. Understanding them helps you know what to expect from your claim.
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Statute of limitations
The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing it means permanently losing your right to sue, regardless of how strong your case is. Most states set this at 2-3 years.
Government claims often have a much shorter deadline – as little as 6 months to file a formal notice.
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Comparative vs. contributory fault
If you were partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced or eliminated. Pure comparative states let you recover even at 99% fault; modified comparative states cut you off at 50-51%.
Example (modified, 51% bar): 30% at fault in a $100,000 accident – you recover $70,000.
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Damage caps
Some states limit recovery, particularly for non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Caps vary widely – from $250,000 to over $1 million – some states have none.
California MICRA cap for med-mal non-economic damages is $350,000 for cases from 2023 onward.
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No-fault insurance states
In no-fault states, your own insurance pays your medical bills and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of fault. You can sue only if injuries meet a threshold.
No-fault states include Florida, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and several others.
Legal disclaimer: State law information on this page is provided for general educational purposes and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Personal injury laws are complex and fact-specific. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state before making decisions about a claim.