How Long Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Texas?

Mark Anderson | January 26, 2026 | Personal Injury

After an accident, many people might not realize there is a legal deadline for taking action. If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, understanding what the statute of limitations is for personal injury claims in Texas is critical. Missing this deadline can permanently block your right to recover compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.

Texas law sets clear time limits for personal injury lawsuits, but there are also limited exceptions that may extend or pause the deadline in certain situations. Knowing how these rules work can help protect your claim.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Once that time period expires, courts will usually refuse to hear the case.

These deadlines exist to ensure claims are filed while evidence is still available and memories are fresh. For injured individuals, acting promptly is essential.

The Standard Deadline for Personal Injury Claims in Texas

In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years. This two-year period typically starts on the date the injury occurred.

This deadline applies to many common types of personal injury cases, including:

If a lawsuit is not filed within two years, the injured person usually loses the right to pursue compensation through the courts.

The statute of limitations usually begins on the day the injury happens. For example, if a car accident occurred on June 1, 2024, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit would generally be June 1, 2026.

Exceptions and Other Variations to Texas’s Statute of Limitations

There are a few scenarios where the statute of limitations varies from the standard two-year deadline:

The Discovery Rule in Texas

Texas recognizes a limited “discovery rule” in certain cases. Under this rule, the statute of limitations may begin when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, rather than on the date of the harmful event.

This rule often applies in situations involving:

Medical malpractice involving a delayed diagnosis
Exposure to harmful substances
Injuries that develop over time

The discovery rule does not apply to every case. Courts apply it narrowly, and the injured person must show that the injury could not reasonably have been discovered earlier.

Wrongful Death Claims

When an accident results in death, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Texas is also generally two years. However, the clock usually starts on the date of death, not the date of the injury. This distinction is important in cases where the injured person survives for a period of time before passing away.

Claims Against Government Entities

Personal injury claims involving government entities follow different rules. Texas law often requires injured individuals to provide formal notice of a claim within a much shorter time frame, sometimes as little as six months. Failing to meet these notice requirements can bar a claim even if the standard two-year statute of limitations has not expired.

Other Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline

While the two-year deadline is the general rule, Texas law allows for limited exceptions that may pause or extend the statute of limitations.

Some of the most common exceptions include:

Minors: If the injured person is under 18, the statute of limitations usually does not begin until their 18th birthday.
Mental incapacity: If a person is legally incapacitated, the deadline may be paused until capacity is restored.
Defendant’s absence: If the at-fault party leaves Texas for a period of time, the statute of limitations may be tolled during their absence.

These exceptions can be complex, and they do not apply automatically. Proper legal analysis is often required to determine whether an exception is available.

Why Waiting Can Hurt Your Case

Even when the deadline seems far away, delaying action can weaken a personal injury claim. Evidence may be lost, surveillance footage may be deleted, and witnesses may become difficult to locate. Acting early can help preserve evidence, and waiting until the last minute increases the risk of mistakes that could prevent a claim from moving forward.

Contact Our Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Understanding how long the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas lasts helps injured individuals protect their right to compensation. If you need legal help, call Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with one of our Dallas personal injury lawyers.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth, Dallas, or Austin and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900

Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.74621197527774, -97.33552733508391

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Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
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Anderson Injury Lawyers – Austin Office

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About the Author

Mark A. Anderson is the founder of Anderson Injury Lawyers and a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer—an honor held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys. He earned his law degree from Baylor University School of Law and has spent more than 20 years helping injury victims across Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin. Mark handles cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and more. Click here to view some of the successful case results Mark has achieved for his clients.

Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas
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