Personal Injury Guide – North Richland Hills, Texas

Introduction: Why North Richland Hills Residents Need a Texas-Specific Injury Guide

North Richland Hills sits at the heart of northeast Tarrant County, bordered by major corridors such as Loop 820, Texas 183, and North Tarrant Parkway. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Crash Records Information System, Tarrant County recorded more than 32,000 motor-vehicle collisions in 2022, many occurring on the busy highways that run through or around North Richland Hills. Local workers also face risk on nearby construction projects and oil-service sites that dot the larger Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex. When accidents happen, injury victims often feel overwhelmed by medical bills from facilities like Medical City North Hills or Texas Health Harris Methodist Hurst-Euless-Bedford, and by calls from insurance adjusters eager to settle quickly.

This comprehensive guide explains how Texas personal injury law protects North Richland Hills residents, what deadlines apply, and how to preserve evidence so you can seek the compensation you deserve. The focus is on straight, statute-driven facts with a slight bias toward the injured party, because insurers already have teams of lawyers on their side. Whether you were hurt in a rear-end crash on Boulevard 26, a fall at North East Mall, or a dog bite in your own neighborhood, understanding your legal rights is the first step toward recovery.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

1. The Legal Definition of Negligence

Most personal injury claims in Texas arise under a negligence theory. To prove negligence, an injured plaintiff must show:

• Duty: The defendant owed a legal duty of care. For example, drivers must obey traffic laws.
• Breach: The defendant breached that duty by acting or failing to act reasonably.
• Causation: The breach was the proximate cause of the injury.
• Damages: The plaintiff suffered provable losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

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

Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury actions. The clock generally starts on the date of the injury. Missing this deadline almost always bars recovery. Limited exceptions—such as the discovery rule for latent injuries or tolling when the plaintiff is a minor—exist, but courts apply them narrowly. If you were hit on Airport Freeway on June 1, 2023, you typically must file suit by June 1, 2025.

3. Comparative Fault – Chapter 33, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code

Texas follows a proportionate responsibility system (modified comparative fault). A plaintiff may recover damages so long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Any verdict is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. If a North Richland Hills jury finds you 20% at fault for a multi-car collision on NE Loop 820, your award is reduced by 20%.

4. Damage Categories

• Economic damages: medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, property loss.
• Non-economic damages: physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of consortium.
• Exemplary (punitive) damages: available only when the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or gross negligence, and capped under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 41.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Texas

1. Motor-Vehicle Collisions

Vehicle accidents remain the most frequent source of claims. TxDOT data shows Tarrant County experienced over 400 fatal crashes in 2022. Within North Richland Hills, intersections around Davis Boulevard and Mid-Cities Boulevard are known for heavy traffic and rear-end impacts.

2. Commercial Truck Accidents

Interstate 820 and State Highway 121 bring a steady flow of 18-wheelers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations combine with Texas Transportation Code provisions to govern trucking. Evidence such as electronic logging device (ELD) data and driver qualification files can be critical.

3. Premises Liability & Slip-and-Fall

Texas premises liability law requires property owners to remedy or warn of unreasonably dangerous conditions they know about or should discover through reasonable inspections. Slippery flooring at a North East Mall retailer or potholes in a grocery store parking lot can give rise to claims.

4. Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Texas follows the «one-bite rule» and negligence theories for dog bites. Evidence of prior aggressive behavior by the animal or violations of North Richland Hills municipal leash ordinances may establish liability.

5. Workplace & Construction Injuries

Texas is unique because private employers may choose not to carry workers’ compensation. When a non-subscriber’s negligence injures an employee—such as a fall from scaffolding on a local build site—the employee may file a personal injury lawsuit for full damages, including pain and suffering.

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

1. Insurance Requirements and Bad-Faith Protections

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) sets minimum auto liability limits of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25). If an insurer unreasonably delays or denies a valid claim, Texas Insurance Code Chapters 541 and 542 provide bad-faith and prompt-payment remedies, including possible attorney’s fees and interest penalties.

2. Evidence Rules and Preservation

Under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP) 192–193, parties must disclose relevant evidence early in litigation. For vehicle crashes, send a «spoliation letter» to defendants and insurers demanding they preserve dash-cam footage, black-box data, and maintenance logs to avoid evidence loss.

3. Damage Caps

Texas caps non-economic damages only in medical malpractice cases: $250,000 per claimant against a physician, $250,000 against a single health-care institution, and $500,000 total against multiple institutions (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.301).

4. Wrongful Death & Survival Claims

The family of a deceased victim may recover under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §§71.002–71.004. Damages include lost earning capacity, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and punitive damages if warranted. A separate survival action allows the estate to pursue claims the decedent could have brought had they lived.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, document your condition at Medical City North Hills, CareNow Urgent Care, or another licensed facility. Medical records establish causation and damages.

2. Report the Incident

• Auto collisions: Call 911 and request a North Richland Hills Police Department crash report, required under Texas Transportation Code §550.062 for injury crashes.
• Work injuries: Notify your supervisor in writing within 30 days under Texas Labor Code §409.005.
• Premises incidents: File an incident report with the property manager and keep a copy.

3. Preserve Evidence

Photograph vehicles, skid marks, or hazardous conditions. Collect witness names, phone numbers, and statements. Retain damaged personal items such as helmets or torn clothing.

4. Notify Insurers but Limit Statements

You must report an auto collision to your insurer in a timely manner per policy terms, but you are not required to give the adverse insurer a recorded statement. Provide only factual basics until you consult counsel.

5. Track All Expenses

Maintain a dedicated folder for medical bills, pharmacy receipts, mileage to doctor visits, and pay stubs showing lost income.

6. Consult a Qualified Attorney

An experienced personal injury lawyer North Richland Hills Texas can explain rights, value your claim, and negotiate with insurers. Texas lawyers must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas and complete 15 hours of continuing legal education annually (State Bar Rules, Art. XII, §6).

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

While minor property-damage fender-benders can sometimes be resolved without counsel, you should strongly consider hiring a north richland hills accident attorney if:

• Liability is disputed or multiple vehicles were involved.
• You suffered fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, or required surgery.
• The at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured.
• A government entity (e.g., TxDOT roadway defect) may be liable; the Texas Tort Claims Act requires written notice— often within 6 months—under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.101.
• An insurer delays payment more than 15 business days after receiving all items it reasonably requests, in potential violation of Insurance Code §542.056.

Attorney Fee Structures

Most Texas personal injury lawyers work on contingency (no fee unless they recover compensation), capped by a pre-agreed percentage plus case expenses. Always get the agreement in writing, as required by Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct 1.04(d).

Local Resources & Next Steps

• Tarrant County Civil Courthouse: 100 N. Calhoun St., Fort Worth, TX 76196. Personal injury suits from North Richland Hills usually file in the 48th, 67th, 96th, 153rd, 352nd, 348th, or 141st District Courts.
• TxDOT Fort Worth District Office: Public crash statistics and roadway maintenance info.
• North Richland Hills Police Department Records: Request crash reports online or at 4301 City Point Dr., North Richland Hills, TX 76180.
• Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 1-800-252-3439 for insurance complaints.

Authoritative References

Texas Statutes – Civil Practice & Remedies Code Texas Department of Insurance Official Site TxDOT Crash Records Information System State Bar of Texas – Lawyer Licensing & Ethics

Texas Personal Injury FAQs

How long do I have to file?

Two years for most claims (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003), shorter notice for government entities.

What if I was partly at fault?

You may still recover if you are 50% or less responsible; your damages are reduced by your percentage (Chapter 33).

Is Texas a no-fault state?

No. Texas is a fault-based system; the at-fault party’s insurer pays.

Can I recover for pain and suffering?

Yes, non-economic damages are available except in certain capped medical malpractice contexts.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Texas attorney for advice on 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.