California Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations
California motorcycle accident victims generally have 2 years to file an injury lawsuit. Learn deadlines for property damage and government claims.
Key Deadlines: Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle crash victims in California generally have two years from the date of the collision to sue for personal injuries and three years for damage to the bike and gear. If a public roadway defect, a government vehicle, or a city employee contributed to the crash, you must file a written government tort claim within six months. Helmet-law issues, lane-splitting facts, and comparative-fault arguments frequently raised by insurers are time-sensitive — early evidence preservation (skid marks, dash-cam footage, witness statements) is critical. Acting quickly protects both your statutory deadline and the strength of your liability case.
Exceptions that can change your deadline
Several exceptions can shorten or extend the statute of limitations: the discovery rule (when an injury is discovered later), tolling for minors or mentally incapacitated victims, fraud or concealment by the defendant, and shorter deadlines for government entities (6 months). Every case is fact-specific — an attorney can confirm exactly how long you have.
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