How to Use StateLawNow

No. StateLawNow is a legal information resource, not a law firm. We provide general legal information verified against official state statute websites. For advice about your specific situation, always consult a licensed attorney.

All statute citations, deadlines, and fault rules are sourced directly from official state legislature websites. We display the exact statute code and link to the primary source so you can verify independently. Legal information is reviewed for accuracy and updated when laws change.

Go to the Statute Lookup page, then search by state name or abbreviation. Each entry shows the filing deadline, fault rule type, no-fault insurance status, the exact statute citation, and a direct link to the official state legislature website. Click 'Decode' on any row to see plain-English interpretation and common mistakes for that state.

A statute of limitations is the legal deadline by which you must file a lawsuit. For car accident claims, most states give you 2-3 years from the date of the accident. Miss this deadline and you permanently lose the right to sue — with very limited exceptions.

In at-fault states (most of the US), the driver who caused the accident is liable for damages. In no-fault states (FL, MI, NY, etc.), your own insurance pays your medical bills first regardless of who caused the crash. In no-fault states, you can still sue if injuries are serious enough to meet the state's 'serious injury threshold.'

Pure comparative fault (used in CA, NY, FL, etc.) lets you recover damages even if you were 90% at fault — your recovery is just reduced by your fault percentage. Modified comparative fault (used in most states) bars recovery if you were 50% or more at fault. Contributory negligence (AL, MD, NC, VA) bars all recovery if you were even 1% at fault.

Yes. Use our Free Consultation page to connect with a licensed attorney in your state who will review your situation at no cost. Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency — they only get paid if you win.

Yes. All car accident articles are available in Spanish under the En Español section. Access it from the navigation bar or at /es/accidentes-auto/.