The Texas car accident statute of limitations, in plain words
The Texas car accident statute of limitations is two years. Call free to learn your exact last day.
Texas allows two years from the crash to file a lawsuit and the same two years cover your car, under section 16.003. The sharper trap is a crash with a city truck or state vehicle. Written notice of that claim can be due in six months.
The deadlines in Texas
| What | Time limit | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Injury lawsuit | Two years | Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003(a) |
| Car or property damage lawsuit | Two years | Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003(a) |
| Wrongful death lawsuit | Two years from the death | Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003(b) |
| Notice to a government unit | Six months or the city charter period | Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 101.101 |
| Shared fault | No recovery above 50 percent | Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 33.001 |
| Minimum liability cover | $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000 | Texas Department of Insurance |
Deadlines that change the Texas count
Texas stops the clock for a child. Time spent under age 18 is not counted, so the two years usually begin on the 18th birthday, under section 16.001.
Government crashes run on a faster track. A city, county or state agency is owed written notice within six months and a city charter may set its own period, under section 101.101. The notice must describe the injury, the time and place and what happened.
Where the Texas fault line sits
Texas calls this proportionate responsibility, meaning each side pays for its own share of the blame. You lose the whole claim if a jury puts more than 50 percent on you, under section 33.001. At 50 percent or less, your award shrinks by your share. Adjusters know this, so they fish for blame.
What Texas insurance pays first
Texas drivers must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash for injuries. Property cover starts at $25,000, says the Texas Department of Insurance. Texas is an at-fault state, so the other driver’s insurer owes the main claim.
Your own policy may help sooner. Personal injury protection, called PIP, pays medical bills and lost wages and it comes with every Texas policy unless you turned it down in writing. Uninsured motorist cover works the same way.
Talking to a Texas car accident lawyer before you sign
A release ends the claim for good, even if surgery comes later. An attorney can price the full injury, find every policy and file suit before two years pass. The call is free and the lawyer is paid only from a win.
Other states: Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas or every state on one page.
Texas car accident statute of limitations questions
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Texas?
Two years from the crash, for both injury and vehicle damage, under section 16.003. A death claim runs two years from the date of death.
Is Texas a no-fault state?
No. The driver who caused the wreck is responsible and their insurer pays. PIP on your own policy can cover early bills while you wait.
What if a city bus or police car hit me in Texas?
Send written notice fast. State law allows six months and a city charter can set its own notice period.
Before the clock runs out
In Texas, one statement that pushes your share past 50 percent can erase the claim. Call before you sign a release or give a recorded statement and a lawyer will review the offer free.
Call about my deadline(833) 716-6705
We pick up 24/7, go over your crash free and connect a car accident lawyer with no fee unless you win.