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by Matthew C. Andrew - June 13th, 2025
After a car crash in Idaho, your mind might be on your injuries, your vehicle, your job, or how life changed instantly. Another critical piece that needs attention is the auto accident statute of limitations. This legal time limit can determine whether your case continues smoothly or runs into avoidable legal trouble. Our legal team at Andrew Injury Law provides clear guidance to help Idaho clients navigate this timeline before it’s too late.
Statutes of limitations are legal deadlines that define how long a person has to file a lawsuit. These deadlines are designed to prevent claims from being filed too long after an incident, a time when evidence may no longer be available and witness memories may have faded.
In Idaho, these timelines depend on the type of case. For personal injury matters like car accidents, the law typically provides two years from the date of the injury to file suit. Under Idaho Code § 5-219, the statute of limitations applies to actions brought under a statute for a penalty or forfeiture, whether the right to sue is given to an individual alone or an individual and the state, unless the law creating the penalty specifies a different time limit.
Statutes of limitations exist to ensure fairness and protect the legal process. Over time, evidence becomes harder to obtain, witnesses move away, and memories lose clarity. These deadlines give both sides a chance to prepare their case.
According to Cornell Law, statutes of limitations can originate from either legislative statutes or judicial common law. They may begin running from the date of the injury, the date it was discovered, or the date it reasonably should have been found.
In most Idaho car accident cases, you have two years from the collision date to file your lawsuit. That timeline can pass quickly when you’re juggling recovery, work, and insurance issues.
There are rare instances when the time limit begins later, such as when injuries aren’t immediately apparent. But in general, Idaho follows a straightforward rule: the date of the crash starts the countdown.
Most Idaho car accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. This applies to bodily injury claims, not necessarily property damage. For property damage alone, the deadline may differ.
Failing to meet this timeframe could limit your ability to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related costs.
It’s also important to recognize that different types of claims related to the same incident could have different deadlines, which makes understanding the auto accident statute of limitations even more critical.
The court may dismiss your case outright. Even if your injuries are serious and your case is strong, filing after the deadline often means the case won’t be heard.
Idaho courts might accept a late claim under very few circumstances, and those are generally limited and depend on the details of each case.
Some situations can extend or delay the filing deadline. These exceptions aren’t common, but they do exist.
Claims involving city, county, or state vehicles often have shorter notice periods. You may need to file a notice of claim within just 180 days in some situations. These deadlines are separate from the regular statute of limitations and may arrive sooner than expected.
If a business over-served alcohol to someone who caused your accident, a separate legal theory called dram shop liability might apply. These cases can involve unique procedural rules and may face tighter filing windows. Timing becomes especially important when holding businesses accountable.
Legal deadlines are unforgiving, but we help make sure you don’t miss them. At Andrew Injury Law, we guide our clients through every step after a crash, including identifying the correct deadline for filing a claim. That may involve reviewing available documentation, assessing injury progression, or investigating liability details—all to ensure compliance with the auto accident statute of limitations. Contact us today at 208-517-7670; We’ll review your case.
Matt Andrew has been an attorney and member of the Idaho Bar since 2007 and has a varied and fascinating legal career. Since 2013, Matt has focused on representing seriously injured people in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Matt has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict before the Idaho District Courts and the Idaho Industrial Commission.
Member of the Idaho Bar since 2007
Bar Number: #7698
Location: Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell, Idaho.
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4 months ago 
Matt was very helpful in explaining the law and setting realistic expectations about my mothers case. He listened to the facts and gave solid advice about what to do next. I know his time is valuable and limited so I appreciated his complementary consultation and advice. I will definitely turn to him in the future.
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If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 208-517-7670
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Matt Andrew was so helpful and encouraging regarding our small auto accident negotiation. We received clear and comprehensive suggestions and outline of action for us to take. We are grateful to have spoken with him directly and on the first phone call to his office. Great attitude and genuine interest in helping. Definitely recommend.
Matt is a “Tell it like it is”, Attorney. He will scour the data, and go to bat for you. He becomes your liaison, so you can really focus about just getting better, and though he wont loan you any money, he’ll tell you what you need you need to do to survive if you’re out of work for a bit. Attorneys aren’t cheap, you’ll end up with more if you use one. Heed his advise for the strongest case argument in your favor.
I called Matt he was driving he took my information and he immediately called me back, he answered my question and gave me advice on how to handle the situation, he very helpful for my situation, he was thorough
Andrew Injury Law is a personal injury law firm in Idaho. We focus on representing individuals who suffer injuries from someone else’s negligence. We use a compassionate and aggressive approach to help our clients after an injury. Our team knows that injuries can be life-altering. Our Boise injury lawyer fights for our clients every step, leading to trial if necessary. Get in touch with the Boise injury lawyers from Andrew Injury Law today.
Andrew Injury Law represents people who need help during the most challenging times. Injuries are life-changing in many ways. Even a minor injury can leave you out of work for weeks with mountains of medical bills. Permanent injuries require more medical attention and bring more bills. Our team is here to help you every step of the way. Call our personal injury lawyer in Caldwell for a free case review.
You must get legal representation immediately when you suffer an injury or lose a loved one. The insurance companies are vultures looking to diminish your claim. They don’t care about the pain you are suffering. They only care about their bottom line. When you file a personal injury claim, you will pursue justice and compensation for your injuries and losses. Andrew Injury Law helps injured individuals seek compensation from negligent parties. We offer free case reviews, so call our office today.
Our primary goal is to hold the at-fault party responsible by getting you financial reimbursement for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation today with our Meridian personal injury lawyer from Andrew Injury Law.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney Matthew Andrew, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 208-517-7670
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