How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take in Texas? A Victim’s Guide to Timelines & What to Expect

The timeframe of a personal injury lawsuit is one of the biggest frustrations for accident victims because there are no concrete answers. Some cases finish in months with favorable settlements, while others take years. Despite the uncertainty involved in any Texas liability claim, there are some things you can expect in your personal injury case. Hiring a lawyer from Carabin Shaw's legal team can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Contact the Texas serious accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw online or by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-862-1260. Someone is available to speak with you 24/7, and we have staff available in English and Spanish. We encourage potential clients to read our law firm’s client reviews to learn about the dedicated legal services they can expect. Carabin Shaw offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

The two primary costs in personal injury cases in Texas are time and money. Injured victims need financial remedies as soon as possible, so they can pay medical bills and afford high-quality treatments. Many suffer because of interrupted or lost income, and others need to repair or replace property. Timely compensation can solve many of the problems that coincide with an accident, but lawsuits are rarely quick.

Victims trying to figure out what to expect in a personal injury case are also frequently concerned with legal costs. The court does not appoint a free lawyer for a civil lawsuit, like they might in a criminal case. At Carabin Shaw, we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, so you don’t have to pay unless we win your case.

Prior to filing a personal injury claim and during the pre-trial phase (discovery), your lawyer will spend time collecting evidence to establish negligence and damages. Negligence is the basis for liability, and you may need photographs, documents, and witness testimony to prove your case. Similarly, you’ll need medical bills, photographs, and possibly expert medical testimony to prove damages. Your Texas personal injury lawyer will collect this evidence as efficiently as possible, but it does take time to prepare a case.

The discovery process, where your lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer exchange evidence, also takes weeks or months. This is because, in addition to reviewing newly presented evidence, you may need to collect additional evidence to refute new claims. Once your case is ready, there is time for your attorney to negotiate a settlement. In most cases, a personal injury case does not proceed to trial.

Legal deadlines are one piece of the puzzle when it comes to figuring out how long your case will take. Texas does have a statute of limitations for civil court proceedings, and victims generally must file a claim within 2 years of the injury. Understanding this deadline is important, as the time can pass quickly when you are a victim trying to heal from injuries.

There are also procedural rules that somewhat govern the timeline of a personal injury case. For example, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure set out rules for the personal injury case timeline, including limits on discovery periods depending on the type of case. However, the court can reopen this period at its discretion, making this limit a somewhat unreliable expectation. The court uses this allowance to increase fairness in the discovery process.

The final hurdle in the personal injury lawsuit timeline is getting the compensation you negotiated or won in court. Your local attorney will help you sign documents and coordinate payment when funds are available, but payment may be delayed due to appeals, insurance processing, or collection efforts if the defendant does not pay. Delayed payments result in post-judgment interest.

At Carabin Shaw, we want your case to be as efficient as possible, but we also know that sometimes seeking justice takes time. Contact us online or call 1-800-862-1260 today for a free case review and find out more about what you can expect from a personal injury claim.

For more information:

• LIMITATIONS OF PERSONAL ACTIONS
• Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
• JUDGMENT INTEREST