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The general rule
In Texas, the general statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. This means you generally have two years from the date the injury occurred to file a lawsuit in court. [LEGAL REVIEW: confirm and state precisely.]
The exceptions that actually change it
The two-year rule is the starting point, not the whole picture. Several exceptions can dramatically shorten or extend the deadline:
Claims involving minors
The deadline may be extended for injuries to children. The statute of limitations may be tolled until the child reaches a certain age. [LEGAL REVIEW]
Claims against governmental entities
If your claim is against a city, county, state agency, or other government entity, notice requirements are dramatically shorter — sometimes six months or less. People miss these constantly. [LEGAL REVIEW]
The discovery rule
When an injury is not immediately apparent, the clock may start when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, rather than the date of the incident. [LEGAL REVIEW]
Wrongful death
Wrongful death claims have their own deadline, generally two years from the date of death, but exceptions apply. [LEGAL REVIEW]
The governmental-entity point deserves special attention: notice deadlines there are dramatically shorter than two years and people miss them constantly. If a government entity is involved, call a lawyer today.
What "filing" means
"Filing" means filing a lawsuit in court — not filing an insurance claim. This is a common and expensive misunderstanding. You can negotiate with an insurance company for months, but if you never file a lawsuit before the deadline, you lose your right to recover forever. Only filing a lawsuit in court stops the clock. [LEGAL REVIEW]
Why waiting costs you before the deadline
The practical deadline is always earlier than the legal one. Evidence disappears:
A clear disclaimer
This page is general information, not legal advice for a specific case. Deadlines depend on the specific facts of your situation. An attorney must review your case to determine the actual deadline that applies. Do not rely on this page alone to decide whether you still have time. [LEGAL REVIEW: exact wording.]
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