What You Need to Know About the Washington Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury

If you’ve experienced a personal injury in Washington State, you must know your rights and understand the legal timeline for pursuing a claim. One critical factor to understand is the Washington statute of limitations. This aspect of personal injury law sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit, which could mean losing your right to seek compensation if you fail to fulfill it. As a personal injury attorney recognizes, legal talk can sometimes feel overwhelming for accident victims. However, Albrecht Law Firm breaks it down in an easy-to-understand way to help you move forward.

This blog, from an experienced personal injury lawyer, explains the statute of limitations and the process of pursuing personal injury claims when someone else’s negligence causes serious personal injury. Have you suffered an injury in Eastern Washington, Spokane, WA, or anywhere else in the state?

Continue reading to learn more, then call (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 to schedule your free case evaluation. When you secure legal representation from our law office after being injured in an accident, our experienced attorneys will pursue appropriate compensation, hold the responsible party or parties accountable, and apply our knowledge of the legal system to your unique case.

At Albrecht Law, you are known.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Washington?

The statute of limitations is a legal time frame or deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under Washington law, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years from the date of the injury, which includes situations like car accidents, slips and falls, and injuries caused by defective products.

For example, if you were injured in a car accident on January 1, 2024, you would have until January 1, 2027, to file a lawsuit. While three years may seem like a long time, a Spokane injury attorney understands the importance of taking action and avoiding a delay. Why? Building a strong case to prove negligence and hold negligent parties responsible requires gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, and potentially consulting experts. When you begin the process early, your Spokane personal injury lawyer has the tools to advocate for you.

Are There Exceptions to the Rule?

While three years is the standard, exceptions to the statute of limitations exist in some cases. Here are a few examples:

1. Discovery Rule
   Sometimes, an injury isn’t immediately apparent. For instance, if you sustained an internal injury from a defective medical device, you might not realize it until months or years later. In such cases, the three-year clock begins when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered—not necessarily on the incident date.
2. Minors and Incapacitated Individuals
   If the injured person is under 18 or legally incapacitated at the time of the injury, their clock doesn’t start ticking until they turn 18 or are no longer incapacitated. This exception provides them with additional time to seek justice.
3. Claims Against Government Entities
   Filing a claim against the government has stricter and shorter deadlines. For instance, if your injury involves a city bus or a state employee, you may have as little as 60 days to file a formal notice of claim with the government agency involved. After completing this step, the regular three-year deadline typically applies.

Exceptions like these highlight the urgency of consulting an experienced personal injury attorney who can help guide your case within the applicable time frame.

What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?

As injury lawyers, one of the most common questions we hear is, “What happens if I miss the deadline for my injury claim?” Unfortunately, in most cases, missing the statute of limitations means the court will dismiss your case, and you lose your right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering.

Even if you’re unsure about filing a claim, contacting a Spokane personal injury attorney as soon as possible after sustaining a personal injury gives you options. During a free legal consultation at our law office, a skilled attorney can assess your case, determine how much compensation to pursue, answer your legal questions, negotiate with the insurance company and other responsible parties to seek a fair settlement, and prevent you from accidentally missing the opportunity to find justice. Our law office provides informed legal assistance, allowing you to focus on your recovery with peace of mind.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death lawyer from our personal injury law firm can also represent family members who have lost loved ones due to things like medical malpractice, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other types of personal injury. Because a wrongful death case often involves fleeting evidence and several interested parties, you must proceed quickly following a fatal accident to organize a claim well ahead of the statute of limitations.

Other State Laws Pertaining to Personal Injury Claims

In addition to the statute of limitations, injured victims in Spokane, WA, and throughout the state should also be aware of the following:

Washington’s Comparative Negligence Standard

Even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you may still be able to recover compensation from the other party. Washington law (RCW 4.22.005) apportions liability based on each party’s “share” of the blame for an accident. If you are found partially at fault for your accident, your financial recovery will be reduced by your share of the blame.

Your Right to Seek Compensation for Economic Damages and Non-Economic Damages

In Washington, injured victims can seek economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury case. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages refer to more subjective losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Washington’s Damage Caps on Medical Malpractice Claims

In some situations, limits are placed on the amount of compensation that can be awarded for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Washington’s Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP) Law

PIP insurance helps cover immediate medical bills and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Don’t Wait to Get Started on Your Case—Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer from Albrecht Law Today

A Spokane personal injury lawyer knows that for an injured party, seeking legal help to pursue maximum compensation alleviates much of the stress involved. A skilled personal injury lawyer can deal with insurance adjusters and responsible parties while you heal.

At Albrecht Law, our legal team prioritizes personalized attention and compassionate guidance in personal injury claims for every one of our clients. You’re not just a case number at our law firm—we answer all your questions and fully support you from start to finish.

Have you been injured in Spokane, WA, or anywhere else in Washington? Time is a critical factor in your ability to seek fair compensation. Stop searching online for a “Spokane injury lawyer,” “Spokane personal injury lawyer,” or “Spokane personal injury attorney.” Instead, call us at (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or complete our online form to schedule a free case review. We’re here to listen and provide the insight you need to move forward with confidence.

Want to know if you should pursue compensation for your injuries in the Spokane area? Take our FREE quiz now.

Albrecht Law PLLC — Our Clients Are More Than Just Cases

Copyright © 2025. Albrecht Law PLLC. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Albrecht Law PLLC
5105 E 3rd Ave, Suite 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246
https://albrechtlawfirm.com