Injury Lawyer Near You: Personal Injury Guide — Richardson, Texas

Introduction: Why Richardson, Texas Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Roadmap

Richardson, Texas sits at the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, intersected by U.S. Highway 75, President George Bush Turnpike, and a busy DART rail corridor. These transportation arteries, while essential, also contribute to a steady stream of crashes and workplace incidents. In 2022 alone, the Texas Department of Transportation recorded more than 1,900 reportable motor-vehicle collisions in Richardson’s city limits. Add in severe North Texas weather, construction on Interstate 635, and the presence of large corporate campuses such as Texas Instruments and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the risk of personal injury becomes palpable. Knowing your legal rights under Texas personal injury law is critical if you are hurt by someone else’s negligence in Richardson.

This comprehensive guide explains:

• Your rights under key provisions of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

• How proportionate responsibility (comparative fault) can affect your recovery.

• Step-by-step actions to protect your claim after a car crash, slip-and-fall, dog bite, or workplace accident.

• Local resources—from Methodist Richardson Medical Center to the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Courts—that can influence your case timeline.

• When to contact a personal injury lawyer Richardson Texas residents trust.

Every statement in this article is grounded in authoritative sources, including state statutes, judicial opinions, and official agency data.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

1. Negligence Defined

Most personal injury cases in Texas are based on negligence: the failure to use ordinary care, resulting in injury to another. The essential elements are duty, breach, causation, and damages, as articulated in Timberwalk Apartments, Partners, Inc. v. Cain, 972 S.W.2d 749 (Tex. 1998).

2. Statute of Limitations—Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003

Section 16.003(a) sets a two-year deadline to file most personal injury lawsuits—including auto collisions, premises liability, and wrongful death—running from the date the cause of action accrues. Missing this deadline usually bars recovery, so acting quickly is vital.

3. Comparative Fault—Proportionate Responsibility under Chapter 33

Texas follows a modified comparative fault model. Under § 33.001, if you are more than 50% responsible for your own injuries, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, a $100,000 verdict becomes $70,000 if the jury assigns you 30% fault.

4. Damage Categories Allowed by Texas Law

• Economic damages: medical bills, lost wages, property damage.

• Noneconomic damages: pain, mental anguish, physical impairment (see § 41.001).

• Exemplary (punitive) damages: only when “fraud, malice, or gross negligence” is proven by clear and convincing evidence under § 41.003.

5. Caps and Limitations

Texas caps noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases only (§ 74.301). There is no overall cap on auto or general negligence cases, making full compensation possible if evidence supports it.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Richardson, Texas

Motor-Vehicle Accidents Along U.S. 75 & PGBT

Rear-end crashes and multi-vehicle pile-ups are common during rush hour between Belt Line Road and Campbell Road. TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System indicates driver inattention and speeding as leading factors.

Premises Liability—Slip, Trip & Fall

Retail centers like Richardson Square and CityLine must remedy dangerous conditions (wet floors, potholes) or warn customers. Liability turns on knowledge of the hazard per CMH Homes v. Daenen, 15 S.W.3d 97 (Tex. 2000).

Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Texas uses the “one-bite” negligence rule, yet city leash ordinances (Richardson Code of Ordinances § 4-42) create duties owners can breach—opening the door to recovery.

Workplace & Construction Injuries

Although many Richardson employers subscribe to workers’ compensation, some do not. Non-subscribers lose common-law defenses such as assumption of risk, per Texas Labor Code § 406.033.

Severe Weather-Related Injuries

North Texas hailstorms and icy overpasses cause property losses and crashes. A negligent failure to sand icy walkways or warn patrons of hazards can trigger premises liability.

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Licensing of Personal Injury Attorneys

Lawyers must be admitted by the State Bar of Texas and comply with Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. You can verify any Richardson accident attorney’s standing via the State Bar’s public directory.

Insurance Requirements & Bad-Faith Protections

Texas mandates minimum auto liability limits of $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000 (Texas Transportation Code § 601.072). Insurers owe a duty of good faith and fair dealing; violations may lead to extra-contractual damages per Arnold v. Nat’l Cty. Mut., 725 S.W.2d 165 (Tex. 1987).

Medical Expense “Paid or Incurred” Rule

Under § 41.0105, defendants owe only the amounts actually paid or still owed on medical bills, affecting admissible evidence at trial.

Pre-Suit Notice & Offer of Settlement

Section 42.003 requires at least a 60-day pre-trial written settlement offer if a party later seeks litigation cost-shifting under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 167.

Discovery & Case Management

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 190 sets tailored discovery control plans. In Dallas County District Court (covering Richardson), Level 2 discovery (24-month docket) is common unless parties agree otherwise.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care

Document injuries at Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Medical City Plano, or urgent care. Medical records prove causation and damages.

2. Report the Incident to Authorities

• Car crash: Contact Richardson Police Department; obtain CR-3 crash report.

• Work accident: Notify employer within 30 days (Labor Code § 409.001).

• Premises incident: File an incident report with property management.

3. Preserve Evidence

Photograph the scene, gather witness names, and keep damaged property (e.g., vehicle parts, torn clothing) in its post-accident state.

4. Notify Insurance—but Guard Your Words

Texas Insurance Code § 542.003 requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 15 days. Provide facts, not opinions, and avoid recorded statements until you consider legal counsel.

5. Track Economic Losses

Maintain a ledger of medical invoices, pharmacy receipts, lost-wage documentation, and mileage for treatment visits. These are recoverable economic damages.

6. Understand the Two-Year Limitation Clock

The statute of limitations continues running even during negotiations. Sending a demand letter does not stop the clock.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

Indicators You Need a Lawyer

• Liability is disputed and police or OSHA reports are inconclusive.

• The insurer makes a low settlement offer that fails to cover medical bills.

• Multiple parties or commercial entities (trucking companies, apartment complexes) are involved.

• Your injuries are severe—fractures, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury.

Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer Richardson Texas Residents Trust

Look for:

Membership in the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.

• Experience with Dallas County and Collin County courts.

• No disciplinary history (publicly searchable).

• Contingency-fee representation spelled out in a written contract under Texas Disciplinary Rule 1.04.

Cost of Legal Representation

Most Texas injury attorneys charge 33⅓% to 40% contingency fees, advancing case expenses. Under the doctrines stated in Johnson v. McLeod, 52 S.W.3d 138 (Tex. 2001), fees are collected only from the client’s recovery.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Courts Covering Richardson

• Dallas County District Courts (George L. Allen Courthouse, Dallas) — handle damages exceeding $250,000.

• County Courts at Law — concurrent jurisdiction up to $250,000.

• Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (Plano Road) — small claims up to $20,000.

Accident & Crash Report Retrieval

You can purchase official Texas CR-3 crash reports through the TxDOT Crash Records Information System.

Rehabilitation & Support

• Physical therapy centers: Encompass Health Richardson.

Traumatic brain injury support: Brain Injury Association of Texas.

• Financial assistance: Texas Health and Human Services Community Care programs.

Statutory Damage Recovery Checklist

• Confirm two-year limitations period under § 16.003.

• Calculate fault percentages under Chapter 33.

• Compile economic and noneconomic damages per § 41.001.

• Assess exemplary damages if gross negligence exists (§ 41.003).

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Personal Injury Law

Is Texas an at-fault or no-fault state?

Texas is an at-fault state. The party who negligently caused the accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages.

Can I still recover if I wasn’t wearing a seat belt?

Yes, but your compensation may be reduced. Evidence of seat-belt non-use is admissible to apportion comparative fault under § 545.413(g-2) of the Texas Transportation Code.

What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?

You may pursue Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) benefits if your policy includes them. Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101 requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, which you may reject only in writing.

Do I have to pay taxes on my settlement?

Under IRS Code § 104(a)(2), compensation for personal physical injuries is generally non-taxable. However, punitive damages and interest may be taxable; consult a tax professional.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and the facts of each case differ. Always consult a licensed Texas attorney regarding your specific circumstances.

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.