A statute of limitation is a rule establishing a time period within which a lawsuit must be brought. If a lawsuit is not brought within that time period, the right to sue is lost forever. The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is usually two years.
Because of the statute of limitation laws, you must act quickly to ensure your legal rights are protected. If a government entity is the potential Defendant, a Tort Claim must be filed, usually within 180 days of the accident. If the Tort Claim is not filed, you may lose your right to sue for recovery. (Extended times for filing usually apply to children.)