Texas Personal Injury Statute of Limitations: Don't Miss the Deadline to File Your Laredo Claim

When you experience a personal injury in Laredo, TX, time is not on your side. The state sets firm deadlines for filing a civil claim, and waiting too long means you forever lose out on your right to receive damages for the harm you’ve experienced. Don’t make the fatal mistake of waiting too long! Contact a trusted local attorney as soon as possible to get the legal ball rolling, like those on the expert team at Carabin Shaw.

Having qualified legal representation on your side will help you move your claim forward effectively. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about critical deadlines your legal team must meet to help you get the justice you deserve. Read on to learn more and contact Carabin Shaw to book your free case review today.

In Laredo, Texas, almost all personal injury cases, including car crashes, slip-and-fall cases, and most other injury-related lawsuits, are subject to the same time limits established by state law.

According to the Texas personal injury statute of limitations, most personal injury cases must be filed within two years of the date of the incident—or the “cause of the action accrued” in legal terms. This means that you typically have two years after the date of your accident for your lawyer to make their case in court, or two years after the date of a death if filing a wrongful death claim. This is a general rule of thumb to keep in mind, although there are some exceptions which we’ll go over below.

Although the standard Texas injury lawsuit deadline is two years, there are some cases where you’ll have a longer or shorter window to file, most notably:

• Discovery rule: if your experience resulted in injuries that weren’t visible right away, like long-term medical conditions or latent injuries, the countdown may start when the injury is, or should have been, discovered
• Minors or legally disabled persons: If the injured person is a minor under the age of 18 or found to be “of unsound mind,” the countdown may wait until the person turns 18 or their disability ends
• Claims against government entities: The rules for filing a personal injury claim against a government entity are more stringent, and often, you’ll have a much shorter timeframe in which to file

Your chosen Laredo attorney will be able to advise you which, if any, of these limitations apply to your case, reinforcing the importance of hiring qualified and experienced representation.

Even if your injuries are severe and the fault was clearly not yours, the courts may still dismiss your claim if the relevant statute of limitations has expired. This means that even the best lawyer can’t protect your rights to recover compensation, making fighting back an uphill battle at best.

It feels unfair, but the truth is that in Texas, no matter how strong your evidence may be or how unfair the results may feel, late-filed claims are rarely revived in court. Once that critical two-year window closes, your right to restitution is severely diminished. Don’t take that risk.

The Laredo personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw are experienced in handling cases just like yours efficiently, effectively, and on the proper timelines to ensure you get the justice you deserve. Read our law firm’s client reviews to understand the power of having Carabin Shaw’s dedicated and compassionate legal team on your side.

We offer a free case review before we begin working together so you can fully understand your legal options. Once we start working together, we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis so you don’t pay until we win. Our experienced English and Spanish-speaking staff are committed to getting your case heard.

Ready to fight back? Don’t waste another moment. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260—someone is available to speak with you 24/7. Don’t risk missing deadlines. Start your battle for justice today!

For more information:

• Texas Public Law
• Cornell Law School
• NOLO