Car accidents are a fact of life. They happen every day in Texas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,070 fatal accidents on Texas roads in 2006. If you've been in a car accident and are looking for information about how to assess your rights and responsibilities and where to go for help, you've come to the right place. Our law firm's Car Accident Information Center covers relevant issues such as fault, insurance, claims, personal injury, property damage, government liability, and structured settlements. You will also find rules, laws and other information specific to the state of Texas, and our contact page to submit your information to attorney attorney who can assess the value of your claim and provide advice on your best course of action.
- Do I Need to Contact an Attorney After a Car Accident?
- How an Auto Accident Insurance Claim Works
- What is Your Car Accident Injury Claim Worth?
- Who is at Fault?
- Car Insurance and Auto Accidents: Are You Covered?
- What You Can Expect to Recover for Property Damage in Auto Accident Cases?
- Auto Accidents: Options if You're at an Impasse with the Insurance Adjuster
- Car Accidents Involving Government-Owned Vehicles and Government Workers
- Structured Settlements
Texas Car Insurance Requirements/Limits: Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability. Minimum Bodily Injury liability is $20,000 per person up to a total of $40,000 per accident (if there is more than one person injured). Minimum property damage liability is $15,000.
Texas Small Claims Limits: $10,000
Texas Personal Injury Statute of Limitations: 2 years from the date of the injury, or if the injury could not have been discovered right away, from the date you discovered the injury.
Texas Auto Accidents Involving Government Vehicles: Notice to File Against Government: If you were injured in a car accident caused by a government employee, you may sue the government agency-the city or town, county or state, public agency, school-that employs that person.
For claims against the federal government, you will need to complete form 95 and follow the instructions on page 2.
For claims against the state of Texas, you should contact the elected state official (e.g., state senator or state representative) with power over that agency. You may also use the Texas Government Claims Form, but contacting the state official is recommended by the Texas State Attorney General.
For claims against a county government employee, you will need to contact the county in which you want to file your lawsuit, see Texas Personal Injury Venue below, for time limits.
For claims against a city government employee, contact the city in which you want to file your lawsuit, and see Texas Personal Injury Venue below for the proper forms and time limits. Some cities, such as Arlington, have claims forms that you must submit before filing a lawsuit, while others you will need to send a claim letter to the appropriate agency.
In dealing with accidents involving government entities and workers, be aware that there are special notices that must be filed against the appropriate government unit responsible for your injury within a certain time period (30 days to 180 days) and BEFORE filing a lawsuit. These notices of claims are basically administrative hoops the city or state government will make you jump through. Many notices are rejected and a lawsuit may have to be filed anyway, but these notices are required. Any mistakes in filing or filing on time could result in losing your ability to recover for your damages and injuries. Each government entity has its own separate time periods and may differ from your state's Personal Injury Statute of Limitations against a private party. The rules can be confusing. Check the form you are filling out to find out the time limit for filing your claim. Accident claims involving the government can be complicated and complex. Consult with an attorney right away to preserve your rights.
Texas Personal Injury Venue (Where to File Lawsuit): Small claims are handled by a local Justice of the Peace court and can only be brought in the county where the defendant (the person you are suing) lives or does business. If you are not filing a small claim, you can file in County Constitutional Court or a County Court at Law, and you can file where you live or do business, where the defendant lives or does business, or where the accident occurred. If you are filing a claim against a government agency and are unsure of which agency is responsible, the most prudent course is to file a separate claim against each.
