Injury Lawyer Near Me: Lubbock, Texas Personal Injury

Introduction: Why Lubbock Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Guide

Lubbock sits at the crossroads of West Texas farm country, major trucking corridors like U.S. 84 and U.S. 62/82, and an expanding health-care hub anchored by University Medical Center and Covenant Health. From cotton-field machinery mishaps to crashes on Loop 289 and extreme wind and hail events, personal injuries here are as varied as the South Plains landscape. Yet every claim in Lubbock is ultimately governed by statewide rules—especially the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. This guide explains how those rules work, what rights injury victims have, and the practical steps to take after you are hurt in or around Lubbock, Texas.

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Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

Fault and Comparative Responsibility

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system codified at Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 33. If you are 50% or less at fault for an accident, you may still recover damages, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.

Damages Available

• Economic damages: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs.

• Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of consortium.

• Exemplary (punitive) damages: only when the defendant acted with gross negligence, malice, or fraud, as outlined in CPRC §41.003.

Statute of Limitations

The general deadline for most personal injury lawsuits in Texas is two years from the date of injury under CPRC §16.003. Missing this deadline usually bars your claim.

Special Deadlines for Government Claims

If your injury involves a city, county, or state agency—such as a crash with a City of Lubbock sanitation truck—you must give formal notice under the Texas Tort Claims Act within six months of the incident (CPRC §101.101). Lubbock city charter shortens that window to 90 days in some cases, so act quickly.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Lubbock and West Texas

Motor-Vehicle Collisions

TxDOT’s 2022 Crash Statistics show more than 6,000 reported crashes in Lubbock County, many occurring along Loop 289 and I-27. High winds and dust storms can further impair visibility, leading to chain-reaction collisions.

Oil-Field and Industrial Accidents

Although most drilling occurs farther west in the Permian Basin, many Lubbock residents commute to rigs or support yards. Explosions, equipment failures, and toxic exposures can give rise to third-party personal injury suits in addition to workers’ compensation.

Agricultural Injuries

Agriculture is a leading industry on the South Plains. Tractor rollovers, cotton-gin amputations, and pesticide exposure regularly send workers to University Medical Center’s Level I trauma center.

Premises Liability (Slip, Trip & Fall)

Under CPRC §75.002, property owners owe differing duties to invitees, licensees, and trespassers. For most visitors, owners must fix or warn of unreasonably dangerous conditions they knew or should have known about.

Dog Bites

Lubbock Animal Services enforces local leash ordinances, but dog-bite victims usually rely on homeowner’s insurance. Texas applies a “one bite” rule blended with negligence principles from Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974).

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

How Lawsuits Start: Pleadings and Service

• Victim files an Original Petition in the appropriate court—often the 99th District Court of Lubbock County.

• Petition must state facts, damages sought, and cite Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code provisions.

Clerk issues a citation, served by sheriff, constable, or private process server per Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106.

Discovery

Texas uses Level 1, 2, or 3 discovery plans (TRCP 190). Most personal injury cases fall under Level 2 with up to 50 hours of oral depositions per party.

Mediation and ADR

Lubbock courts routinely order mediation before trial. Experienced mediators include former judges certified under Tex. Gov’t Code §154.052.

Trial and Appeal

If mediation fails, your case proceeds to a jury trial. Verdicts exceeding $250,000 in non-economic damages may be subject to caps in certain medical malpractice actions (CPRC §74.301). Appeals go to the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo.

What to Do After a Personal Injury in Lubbock

• Get Medical Attention — Seek care at University Medical Center, Covenant Health, or nearest ER. Prompt records link injuries to the incident.

• Call Law Enforcement — For vehicle crashes, file a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). In Lubbock, call LPD’s non-emergency line at 806-775-2865.

Preserve Evidence

- Photograph the scene, injuries, and vehicle damage.

- Gather witness names, phone numbers, and addresses.

- Save damaged clothing, parts, or safety gear.

• Notify Insurance Promptly — Failure to cooperate may void coverage under Tex. Ins. Code §542.051.

• Avoid Quick Settlements — Insurance adjusters may offer low initial sums. Signing a release ends your case permanently.

Consult a Licensed Texas Attorney — Verify the lawyer’s standing on the State Bar of Texas Find-A-Lawyer portal.

When to Seek Legal Help

Complex Liability or Severe Injuries

Multi-vehicle pileups on I-27, oilfield explosions, or injuries requiring surgery often involve multiple defendants and expert witnesses. Experienced counsel can investigate black-box data, OSHA records, and accident reconstruction.

Comparative Fault Allegations

If the defense argues you were texting while driving or failed to secure farm equipment, your recovery may be reduced. A lubbock accident attorney can rebut unfounded fault claims and protect your share of damages.

Insurance Bad Faith

Under Texas Insurance Code §541.060, insurers must settle claims in good faith. Delays beyond statutory timelines may entitle you to penalties and attorney’s fees.

Local Resources & Next Steps

• University Medical Center — Level I trauma care, 602 Indiana Ave., Lubbock, TX 79415.

• Lubbock Police Department Records — 916 Texas Ave., request crash reports within 10 business days.

• South Plains College Paralegal Studies Clinic — Limited pro bono assistance on civil forms.

• Seventh Court of Appeals Clerk — 501 S. Fillmore St., Suite 2-A, Amarillo, for appellate filings.

• Panhandle Regional Transit (SPARTAN) — Transportation to medical appointments if you cannot drive post-injury.

Key Takeaways for Lubbock Injury Victims

Texas law provides robust—but deadline-sensitive—rights to compensation. Act within the two-year statute of limitations, gather evidence early, and understand that your recovery diminishes if you are more than 50% at fault. Specialized local knowledge of oilfield practices, agricultural machinery, and weather hazards can strengthen your case, so consult a texas personal injury law professional promptly.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. You should consult a licensed Texas attorney about 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.