Injury Lawyer Near Me: Fort Worth, Texas Personal Injury

Introduction: Why This Fort Worth Guide Matters

If you have searched for a personal injury lawyer Fort Worth Texas after a wreck on I-35W, a fall at a Stockyards restaurant, or an oil-field explosion in nearby Barnett Shale operations, you are not alone. Tarrant County sees tens of thousands of injury reports each year, and many victims struggle to understand their legal rights under Texas law. This 2,500-plus-word guide draws only from authoritative sources—such as the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (TCPRC), Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, recent Texas appellate opinions, and official information from the State Bar of Texas—to give Fort Worth residents a clear, victim-focused roadmap. Knowing the deadlines, liability rules, and local resources can make the difference between full and partial recovery of Texas injury compensation. Keep reading to learn how Texas statutes protect you, what steps to take after an accident, and when to call a Fort Worth accident attorney.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

Texas Is a Fault-Based State

Under TCPRC Chapter 16 and Chapter 33, Texas follows a fault system for negligence claims. The party that breaches a duty of care and causes injury is liable for damages. Unlike states with no-fault auto rules, Texas allows victims to file third-party liability claims or lawsuits immediately after an accident.

Statute of Limitations: Two Years for Most Cases

TCPRC § 16.003(a) sets a two-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, starting on the date the injury occurred. Certain exceptions—such as the discovery rule in asbestos or medical-device cases—exist, but they are narrow and fact intensive. Missing this deadline almost always results in case dismissal.

Proportionate Responsibility (Comparative Fault)

TCPRC § 33.001 adopts a modified comparative fault model. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced in proportion to your responsibility. For example, a jury award of $100,000 is cut to $60,000 if you are found 40% at fault.

Right to a Jury Trial

The Texas Constitution (Art. I, § 15) guarantees the right to jury trial in civil cases. In Tarrant County District Court, either side may request a jury by paying a fee and filing a demand under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 216.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Fort Worth and Across Texas

Motor-Vehicle Collisions

I-30, I-35W, and Loop 820 are frequent sites of multi-vehicle crashes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System, Tarrant County recorded more than 32,000 crashes in 2022 alone.

• Car and Truck Crashes: Big-rig traffic servicing Alliance Airport and Barnett Shale sites increases the risk of catastrophic 18-wheeler collisions.

• Motorcycle Wrecks: Warm weather leads to year-round riding, but lack of protective barriers often results in severe injuries.

Oil-Field and Industrial Accidents

The Barnett Shale formation runs beneath Fort Worth, and drilling, pipeline, and compressor-station operations can cause explosions, toxic exposure, and heavy-equipment mishaps. Claims may involve multiple defendants—operators, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers.

Premises Liability (Slip, Trip, and Fall)

Property owners owe different duties of care to invitees, licensees, and trespassers. A fall on a wet floor at a West 7th Street bar triggers analysis under the Timberwalk factors set out by the Texas Supreme Court (1998).

Product Liability

Dangerous consumer goods and industrial equipment are governed by TCPRC § 82 (Products Liability). Victims must prove a design, manufacturing, or marketing defect.

Wrongful Death

Surviving spouses, children, and parents may sue under TCPRC § 71.002. The statute of limitations is two years, but accrual occurs on the date of death rather than injury.

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Damages You May Recover

• Economic: Medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity, rehabilitation costs.

• Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium.

• Exemplary (Punitive): Allowed under TCPRC § 41 if clear and convincing evidence shows malice, fraud, or gross negligence. Caps generally apply: the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus up to $750,000 of non-economic damages.

Caps on Medical Malpractice Awards

Under TCPRC § 74.301, non-economic damages for medical-malpractice claims are capped at $250,000 per claimant against physicians and $250,000 per facility, with an overall limit of $500,000.

Insurance Requirements

Texas Transportation Code § 601.072 mandates minimum auto liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (“30/60/25”). Commercial carriers and oil-field operators often carry higher limits, but verifying policy information quickly is crucial.

Attorney Licensing and Ethical Rules

All lawyers practicing in Texas must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas and comply with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rule 1.04 on fees and Rule 1.05 on confidentiality.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Prompt treatment from facilities such as Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, JPS Health Network, or Cook Children’s Medical Center creates essential documentation and mitigates complications.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Photograph the scene, injuries, and property damage.

• Collect contact information for witnesses.

• Request incident or crash reports from the Fort Worth Police Department or Texas Department of Public Safety.

3. Notify Insurance but Avoid Recorded Statements

Texas Insurance Code § 542 requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 15 days, but you are not obligated to give a recorded statement without counsel.

4. Calculate Damages and Track Expenses

Maintain a dedicated injury file: invoices, prescription receipts, mileage to medical appointments, and employer wage-loss statements.

5. Consult a Qualified Fort Worth Accident Attorney

An attorney can identify all liable parties, comply with procedural rules, and leverage experts—such as accident reconstructionists certified under Texas Rule of Evidence 702—to strengthen your case.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

Serious Injuries and High Medical Bills

If medical costs exceed the at-fault driver’s 30/60/25 policy, an attorney can pursue umbrella coverage, underinsured-motorist benefits, or third-party defendants (e.g., bar that overserved the driver under Texas Dram Shop Act, TCPRC § 2.02).

Disputed Liability

When insurers allege you are more than 51% at fault, legal counsel can gather forensic evidence and challenge proportionate responsibility findings.

Complex Defendants

Claims against governmental entities trigger the Texas Tort Claims Act (TCPRC § 101) with notice deadlines as short as six months under Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code § 101.101. Missing these notice periods can bar recovery.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Court Systems Serving Fort Worth

• Tarrant County District Courts: Handle civil claims exceeding $200.

• County Courts at Law: Concurrent jurisdiction up to $250,000.

• Justice of the Peace Courts: Small claims up to $20,000, streamlined procedures.

Regulatory and Consumer Resources

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 16 Proportionate Responsibility Statute (Chapter 33) Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help

Checklist Before Calling an Attorney

• Confirm injury date to calculate the two-year statute of limitations.

• Gather all medical and billing records.

• Secure the police or incident report number.

• List witnesses and contact information.

• Photocopy all insurance correspondence.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Texas attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.