To file a car accident claim in Washington state, you must make sure you meet the applicable statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the time limit for taking legal action. In Washington, the statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits is three years starting on the date the car accident in question occurred. You must file your complaint before this window closes or a judge may simply throw out your case before it even begins. The defendant may also file a motion to dismiss based on your lateness.