Texas law sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Miss it and you lose the right to sue, no matter how strong your case. Here is how the clock works for truck accident claims.
The general rule: two years
Most truck accident injury claims in Texas must be filed within two years of the crash date. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline, measured from the date of death.
Claims involving government vehicles: much shorter
If the truck was owned or operated by a city, county, or state agency, the Texas Tort Claims Act applies. You must give formal notice of your claim, often within six months, and some local governments require even faster notice. Miss the notice deadline and the lawsuit deadline never matters.
Injuries to minors: the clock may pause
If the injured person is under 18, the two-year clock generally does not start until their 18th birthday. Parents should still act quickly, because evidence does not wait for birthdays.
Why you should never wait out the clock
The legal deadline is the last reason to hurry. The practical reasons come first: ECM data gets overwritten, dashcam footage is recorded over, witnesses move or forget, and the trucking company starts building its defense the same day. Every week you wait, your case gets a little weaker.
If a truck hurt you or someone you love, do not guess about deadlines. Call (713) 526-3306 or get a free case review today. It costs nothing unless we win.