Texas Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in Texas — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, Texas-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in Texas before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
2 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Modified Comparative (51% Bar)
No-Fault Auto?
No
Min. Liability
$30,000 / $60,000
Worth knowing in Texas
Texas is an at-fault (tort) state; minimum liability coverage is commonly cited as 30/60/25.
The deadline to file in Texas
Texas generally gives injured people 2 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How Texas handles fault
Texas uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
No-fault vs. at-fault in Texas
Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
Minimum insurance in Texas
Drivers in Texas must carry at least $30,000 / $60,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in Texas? Talk to a Texas-licensed attorney.
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How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Texas's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 2 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a Texas-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is Texas a no-fault or at-fault state?
Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the Texas crash?
Texas uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Texas?
Texas's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $30,000 / $60,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the Texas insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.