Texas injury claims

From Houston, San Antonio and Dallas to the rural counties in between, people in Texas are hurt in car crashes, falls, workplace accidents and more. This page covers the Texas-specific rules that frame those claims and how to get a free review from an independent attorney licensed in the state.

Where people get hurt in Texas: cities, roads and industries

The metro areas around Houston, San Antonio and Dallas hold much of Texas's population and traffic, but people in smaller communities are hurt on farm roads, county highways and job sites as well.

Key routes include I-35, I-10, I-45, I-20 and US-59/I-69. Long-haul trucks, commuters and visitors all share these highways, which helps explain why crash claims are so common in Texas.

The state's major industries, oil and gas, petrochemicals, construction and logistics and trucking, shape the workplace injuries people report, from equipment and vehicle accidents to falls and repetitive strain.

Common injury claims in Texas

Texas's fault rule in plain words

Texas uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. In plain words, an injured person can recover as long as their share of the blame is 50% or less, and the recovery is reduced by that share. At 51% or more, recovery is barred. Texas sets out its proportionate responsibility rule in Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

The line matters in close cases, like a lane-change collision on I-35 or a two-car crash at an intersection in Houston, where each driver says the other caused it.

Filing time frames in Texas (general information)

The general limitations statute for personal injury in Texas is CPRC § 16.003. As listed in the sources we use, it sets a general period of two years for many personal injury claims.

These are general rules, not a deadline for any one person. Discovery rules, the age of the injured person, claims against government bodies and other exceptions can make the real time frame shorter or longer, and evidence fades long before any legal cutoff. Only a licensed attorney can say what applies to a specific claim.

Claims against a government agency in Texas

Claims against a state agency, city, county or public employee usually follow special rules, and they are often stricter than the rules for private claims.

We have not confirmed Texas's specific notice rules for government claims, so we don't list them here. Many states require written notice within a short window, sometimes months rather than years.

Anyone hurt on a public sidewalk in San Antonio, by a transit vehicle or at a public facility should treat notice rules as urgent and raise them with a licensed attorney early.

Car insurance in Texas: minimums

The minimum liability insurance in Texas is 30/60/25: $30,000 for injuries to one person, $60,000 for all injuries in one accident and $25,000 for property damage.

In Texas, claims after a crash generally go against the at-fault driver's liability insurance. When that driver carries only the minimum, or no insurance, a person's own UM/UIM coverage may fill the gap.

Animal bite liability in Texas

Texas has no general animal bite statute in the sources we use, so animal bite claims generally rely on common-law rules. That can mean showing the owner knew or should have known the animal was dangerous (the "one-bite" idea) or that the owner was negligent, for example by breaking a leash law.

Report the bite to local animal control in Houston or wherever it happened, get medical care, and see our animal bite claims page for next steps.

Workers' compensation in Texas

Most on-the-job injuries in Texas start with workers' comp. The trade-off behind the system is simple: benefits without proving fault, and in return, employers are usually shielded from lawsuits by their own employees.

Disputes often center on whether the person was really an employee, whether the injury happened on the job, and whether it was reported in time. Gig and contract workers in Houston should keep records of who directed the work.

Workers who are hurt while driving for work, for example on I-10, may have both a comp claim and a claim against the at-fault driver.

What to do after an injury in Texas

1. See a doctor promptly and keep every record. Gaps in treatment are a common reason claims get disputed.
2. Report the incident: call police after a crash on I-35, file an incident report with a business, or notify your employer in writing.
3. Collect photos and witness contacts while they are fresh, and keep your own notes about pain and missed work.
4. Avoid signing releases or giving recorded statements to another person's insurer before getting a free review.
5. File a free claim or call (833) 822-7800 to have an independent attorney licensed in Texas review it.