How Long to File a Personal Injury Claim in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under the state's statute of limitations. Some situations, like claims against a government entity, carry much shorter notice deadlines, so it's wise to act well before the two-year mark.
The short version
- Texas generally gives you two years from the injury date to file suit.
- Claims against a city, county, or state agency can require notice in months, not years.
- The deadline is to file a lawsuit settling can happen sooner.
- Waiting hurts your case: evidence and witnesses fade fast.
- Talk to an injury lawyer early; consultations are usually free.
The basic two-year rule
As of 2026, Texas law generally sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims car wrecks, slip-and-falls, and most accident cases. The clock usually starts on the date you were injured. If you don't file a lawsuit within that window, courts will typically dismiss your case no matter how strong it is.
Important: this deadline is about filing suit in court, not about how fast you must settle. Many claims settle with the insurance company well before any lawsuit is filed. But if talks stall, you need the option to file and missing the deadline takes that option away.
Watch for shorter deadlines
Two years isn't universal. Some claims come with much tighter clocks:
- Claims against a Texas government entity (a city like Houston, a county, a transit agency, or the state) often require formal written notice within a matter of months. Miss that notice window and your claim can be barred even if the two-year period hasn't run.
- Certain claims involving minors, wrongful death, or specific circumstances can shift the timeline in either direction.
Because these rules are technical, don't assume you have the full two years confirm your specific deadline early.
Why acting early beats waiting
Even with two years on paper, waiting works against you. Skid marks wash away in Houston's frequent rain, surveillance footage gets overwritten, damaged vehicles get repaired, and witnesses forget or move. The sooner evidence is preserved and medical care is documented, the stronger your claim.
Early action also gives your attorney time to investigate, negotiate, and if needed file before the deadline instead of scrambling. A free consultation doesn't obligate you to file; it simply tells you what your real deadline is and what your claim may be worth.
Bottom line
Assume roughly two years, but treat it as a ceiling, not a target. If a government entity might be involved, think in months instead. When in doubt, ask a Houston injury lawyer promptly.
Frequently asked questions
QWhen exactly does the two-year clock start?
Usually on the date of the injury or accident. In limited cases where an injury wasn't immediately discoverable, the start may shift, but you should never assume a later start date. Confirm it with an attorney.
QDoes the deadline mean I have to settle within two years?
No. The two-year limit is the deadline to file a lawsuit, not to settle. Many claims resolve with insurers sooner. But if you haven't settled and don't file in time, you generally lose the right to sue.
QWhat if my claim is against the city of Houston or a government agency?
Government claims often carry short notice deadlines, sometimes just a few months, separate from the two-year rule. These deadlines are strict and technical, so contact a lawyer right away if a public entity may be responsible.
Related reading
How to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes in Texas
A plain-English guide to who owes federal quarterly estimated taxes in Texas, when they're due, and how to pay them without penalties.
LLC vs S-Corp in Texas: Which Saves Tax?
How LLC and S-corp taxation really differ for Texas small businesses—and when the S-corp election is actually worth it.
Tax Deductions Houston Small Businesses Miss
The everyday deductions Houston owners overlook, plus the record-keeping mistakes that quietly cost more than any single write-off.