Learn about the Texas statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pasadena
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Pasadena?
If you were injured due to someone else’s actions in Pasadena, you may have a limited amount of time to pursue a personal injury claim. Texas law establishes deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as statutes of limitations. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a), a person generally has two years from the date the cause of action accrues to bring a personal injury lawsuit. But not every injury claim has the same deadline. Certain circumstances can change when the limitations period begins, how long you have to file, or whether additional notice requirements apply. Understanding the deadline for your specific case matters, which is why it can help to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
At Anderson Alexander (A2X Law), our trial lawyers represent injured individuals throughout Pasadena and beyond, and we can review the circumstances of your injury, explain the deadlines that may apply to your claim, and help you understand your legal options. Reach out today to learn more.
Understanding the Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
The statute of limitations serves an important purpose in Texas law. It creates a reasonable time frame for injured individuals to pursue legal claims while evidence is still available and witnesses’ memories are relatively fresh. At the same time, it gives potential defendants certainty that they will not face a lawsuit indefinitely.
For most personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, and other negligence-based claims, Texas generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit. For example, if you were injured in an accident on August 19, 2026, the general two-year deadline would ordinarily be August 19, 2028. However, you should not assume that date applies to your specific case. Certain circumstances can affect when the limitations period begins or how long you have to file. Understanding the deadline that applies to your situation (and identifying any exceptions that may affect it) is an important first step in protecting your rights.
Special Circumstances That Can Affect Filing Deadlines
The two-year rule matters, but it is not the whole story. Certain claims and circumstances follow different rules.
Texas law provides special rules for people under a legal disability when a cause of action accrues. Under Section 16.001, a person is considered under a legal disability if they are younger than 18 or of unsound mind, subject to the statute’s requirements and limitations. These rules can be complicated, particularly when a child is injured or when questions exist about when a legal disability began or ended. Do not assume the ordinary two-year deadline applies without reviewing the circumstances.
Claims involving a governmental entity can have additional notice requirements, which makes acting quickly especially important. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, a governmental unit generally must receive notice of a claim within six months after the incident. However, the statute contains exceptions, including situations involving actual notice. Texas law also recognizes that cities may have their own charter or ordinance provisions concerning notice. If your injury involved a city, county, school district, public agency, or other governmental entity, do not wait to find out whether a special deadline applies. A notice deadline can arise well before the general statute of limitations expires.
Not every injury lawsuit is governed by the general personal injury statute. For example, Texas has separate limitations rules for health care liability claims. Section 74.251 generally requires a health care liability claim to be commenced within two years of the relevant occurrence, treatment, or completion of hospitalization, subject to specific statutory rules and exceptions. Other specialized claims can also be governed by different statutes, federal law, contractual provisions, or other rules. The type of accident, identity of the responsible party, and circumstances surrounding the injury can all matter.
Death
When an injury results in death, the timing of a wrongful death claim can involve its own accrual rules. Texas law generally provides that an action for injury resulting in death must be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues, with the statute providing that the cause of action accrues on the date of the injured person’s death. Wrongful death claims can also involve multiple potential claimants and additional legal requirements, making an early review particularly important.
Certain Claims Have Longer Statutory Periods
Texas law also contains specific exceptions for certain types of conduct. For example, Section 16.0045 provides longer limitations periods for certain claims arising from sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, human trafficking, and specified offenses involving children or disabled individuals. These exceptions are highly fact-specific. Do not assume a longer statutory period applies without reviewing the circumstances and applicable law.
Learn More About
Why Acting Quickly Matters Beyond Legal Deadlines
The statute of limitations is not the only reason to take action quickly after an injury. As time passes, evidence becomes harder to locate and preserve. Surveillance footage may be overwritten. Physical conditions at an accident scene can change. Important records may become harder to obtain. Witnesses can move, become hard to locate, or struggle to remember exactly what they saw. A prompt investigation can also help answer important questions about what actually happened. At A2X, investigating an injury claim can involve reviewing accident records, medical records, photographs, video, witness information, employment records, available electronic evidence, and other accident-related documentation. We work to identify potentially responsible parties and understand the facts before important evidence is lost. Acting quickly does not mean you need to have your entire case figured out before contacting a lawyer. In many situations, an early consultation can help you understand what evidence may matter and what steps to take to protect your rights while you recover.
Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights After an Accident
If you have been injured in Corpus Christi or elsewhere in Texas, consider taking these steps to protect your personal injury claim:
1. Get the Medical Care You Need
Your health should always come first. Seeking appropriate medical care is important for your recovery and can also help document the nature and extent of your injuries. Follow your medical provider’s recommendations and keep records of your treatment, appointments, diagnoses, and other important medical information. This documentation helps our team better understand your injuries and build a clearer picture of what you experienced.
2. Preserve
Evidence
If possible, keep photographs, videos, accident reports, correspondence, medical records, bills, receipts, employment records, and other documents related to your injury. If you have witness information, keep their names and contact details. If you don’t have everything, don’t worry, our team can help identify and gather important evidence as we investigate your case.
3. Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
An insurance company may contact you soon after an accident, sometimes before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or what your claim may involve. Be careful about providing statements, answering detailed questions, or signing documents without first understanding why the information is being requested and how it could affect your claim. Insurance companies are evaluating claims based on the information available to them. Statements about how an accident happened, the extent of your injuries, your medical treatment, or your ability to work could later become relevant to that evaluation. You should also understand any documents you are asked to sign before agreeing to them, particularly if they could affect your ability to pursue a claim in the future.
4. Find Out What
Deadline Applies
Do not assume the general two-year deadline applies to your situation. Certain circumstances can affect the deadline for taking legal action. Talking with our team is a good place to start. We can learn about what happened, who may be involved, when the injury occurred, and any other details that could affect the timing of your claim. From there, we can identify any applicable deadlines and explain the steps you should take to protect your rights. Even if you are unsure whether you have a case or whether it is too late, reach out to our team so we can help you understand your options.
5. Reach Out to A2X Today
We represent injury victims in Corpus Christi and across Texas. Our trial lawyers investigate the circumstances surrounding accidents, gather and preserve evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and work to protect our clients’ rights throughout the legal process. If you have been injured, do not wait until the statute of limitations is approaching to find out whether you have a claim. Reach out to A2X today to discuss what happened and learn what steps you can take to protect your rights.
Important: This page provides general information about Texas law and is not legal advice. Statutes of limitations can vary depending on the facts of a particular claim, and exceptions may apply. If you believe you may have a personal injury claim, schedule a consultation with A2X to speak more about your specific circumstances as soon as possible.