Texas law guide
Texas Car Accident Laws, in Plain English
The two-year deadline, the 51% fault bar, city-charter notice traps, and why 18-wheeler cases are different — without the legalese.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and TX Legal Help is not a law firm. Deadlines and rules vary by situation — a participating Texas law firm can explain what applies to you. No outcome is guaranteed.
Attorney advertising. TX Legal Help is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Your information may be shared with a participating Texas law firm for review. No outcome is guaranteed.
Two years to file — usually
Texas generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (CPRC § 16.003). But claims involving a government entity require formal notice within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act — and some city charters shorten that to 30–90 days. When a city bus or public vehicle is involved, the clock is sprinting.
The 51% bar: proportionate responsibility
Texas follows proportionate responsibility (CPRC § 33.001): you can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, with your recovery reduced by your share. At 51%, recovery is barred — which is why insurers push hard to shift blame.
18-wheeler crashes are a different animal
Texas moves more truck freight than any state, and 18-wheeler claims reach beyond the driver — to the trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance contractors, with federal driving-hour and maintenance rules in play. Evidence like driver logs and black-box data disappears fast. Start at the Texas 18-wheeler hub.
Dogs, lane splitting, and the first offer
Texas has no dog-bite statute — owners are strictly liable only when they knew the dog was dangerous (the one-bite rule), with negligence claims otherwise. Lane splitting is explicitly illegal. And on any claim: first offers often arrive before the damage is fully known — a participating Texas law firm can review an offer for free at the Texas personal injury hub.
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Texas law FAQ
Common questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Texas?
Generally two years from the date of injury — but government-entity claims require notice within six months, and some city charters require it within 30 to 90 days. This is general information, not legal advice; a participating Texas law firm can explain the deadlines that apply to you.
What if I was partly at fault?
Texas's proportionate responsibility rule lets you recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, with your recovery reduced by your share. A participating Texas law firm can explain how this may apply.
Is this legal advice?
No. TX Legal Help is a legal advertising and lead-generation website, not a law firm. This guide is general information; a participating Texas law firm can review your specific situation for free.
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