Ohio car accident statute of limitations: two years to sue
The Ohio car accident statute of limitations gives you two years. Call to check your date free.
Ohio gives you two years from the crash to sue. One statute covers both your injuries and the damage to your car, under Revised Code 2305.10. That makes Ohio simpler than states with split deadlines: one date, counted from the day of the collision.
The deadlines in Ohio
| What | Time limit | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Injury lawsuit | Two years | R.C. 2305.10 |
| Car or property damage lawsuit | Two years | R.C. 2305.10 |
| Shared fault | Barred above 50 percent | R.C. 2315.33 |
| Minimum liability cover | $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 | Ohio BMV |
When the Ohio clock pauses
A child hurt in a crash keeps the claim for longer. Ohio holds the deadline until the injured person turns 18, then the two years start, under section 2305.16.
Ohio also pauses the clock while the driver who hit you is out of the state or hiding, under section 2305.15. These pauses are narrow. Writing to an adjuster, getting a denial letter or waiting on repairs does not pause anything.
How shared fault works in Ohio
Ohio uses a 51 percent bar. If a jury finds you 20 percent to blame, your award drops by 20 percent. If you are found more to blame than everyone you sued put together, you recover nothing, under section 2315.33. Adjusters know this rule well, which is why the first call often fishes for an admission that you were speeding or looked away.
The insurance behind an Ohio claim
Every Ohio driver must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for injuries. Property cover must be at least $25,000, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Ohio is an at-fault state, so your claim goes to the other driver’s liability insurer first.
When an injury is serious, $25,000 runs out fast. Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist cover may then add to it, if your policy has it.
When to call an Ohio car accident lawyer
Call before you sign any release and well before month 20 after the crash. An attorney needs time to gather records, send a demand and, if talks stall, file in the county court before the two years end. A free call costs nothing and the lawyer is paid only if you win.
Other states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia or every state on one page.
Ohio car accident statute of limitations questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Ohio?
Two years from the crash to file a lawsuit, for both injury and car damage, under R.C. 2305.10. The insurance claim itself should be opened within days.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault in Ohio?
Yes, as long as you were not more at fault than the other side. Your share comes off the award.
Does Ohio require PIP or no-fault insurance?
No. Ohio is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash, through their insurer, pays.
What if my child was hurt in an Ohio crash?
The child’s own two years usually start at age 18. A parent’s claim for the bills can be shorter, so ask a lawyer early.
Before the clock runs out
Ohio gives you two years from the crash and bars you if you are found mostly at fault, so the first statement you give matters. Call before you sign anything and a lawyer will check your deadline and your offer free.
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