What is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Texas?

Being injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence can leave you reeling from trauma and it might take some time before you decide exactly how you wish to proceed. However, you should not take too long before deciding to file a personal injury claim or the statute of limitations might expire before you have a chance to pursue the damages you deserve. In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years, beginning on the date of the injury. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this given timeframe, it is unlikely the court will hear your case and would lose your chance to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Exceptions to the Rule

No rule is steadfast and without exception. In Texas, there are some rare cases in which the two-year statute of limitations might not begin on the date the injury was sustained.

Some of these exceptions include:

• You are legally disabled at the time of the accident
• The responsible party left the state of Texas before you could file a lawsuit
• You became imprisoned before you could file a lawsuit
• You were a minor at the time of the accident
• You were mentally incapacitated

The clock would only begin on the statute of limitations after the situation is resolved. For example, if you were imprisoned before you could file a lawsuit, the statute of limitations would begin once you were released from prison. If you are unsure when or if the statute of limitations began on your case, it is best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure you did not miss out on your chance to pursue compensation.

Why the Statute of Limitations Exist

It probably seems unfair to put a time limit on filing a lawsuit, but a statute of limitations is crucial for many reasons. Evidence can get lost or destroyed over time and memories fade, making it difficult to determine exactly what led up to the events that resulted in a person’s injuries. For these reasons and many others, statutes of limitations exist.

Contact Our Personal Injury Team Today!

If you were wrongfully injured in an accident caused by negligence, you need to reach out to the San Antonio accident team at The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC to obtain the skilled legal guidance you need. The last thing you want is to miss out on your chance to obtain compensation, so do not risk the statute of limitations expiring for your case. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to effectively represent and guide you throughout this process, so you can feel confident in choosing to work with us. No case is too complex for our team to handle.

Contact our law office today at (210) 922-0808 to set up a free case evaluation with one of our San Antonio personal injury attorneys. We are available 24/7 to take your call!