If a dog bit you or your child anywhere from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, the clock on your right to sue started ticking the moment it happened, whether you realized it or not. Most personal injury claims in New Mexico, including dog bite cases, fall under a three-year filing window, but that number shifts depending on who owns the dog, how old the victim was, and what happened in the weeks after the attack.
Understanding the dog bite statute of limitations in New Mexico matters because missing this deadline, even by a single day, can permanently end your ability to recover compensation. Below, you will find the specific timelines, the exceptions that can pause them, and the practical steps to take while you still have options.
Pro Tip: Write down the exact date of the bite as soon as you can. Courts calculate deadlines from that date, and a fuzzy memory months later can create unnecessary disputes.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in New Mexico
Under NMSA § 37-1-8, personal injury claims in New Mexico, including dog bite claims, must be filed within three years of the date the injury occurred. This statute covers the vast majority of dog bite cases against private owners, landlords, and businesses. New Mexico’s statute of limitations gives injured victims three years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim…