Injury Lawyer Near Me: Personal Injury Guide for Plano, Texas

Introduction: Why Plano Residents Need a Texas-Specific Injury Guide

Plano, Texas—a thriving city of roughly 290,000 in Collin and Denton Counties—sits at the crossroads of U.S. 75, the President George Bush Turnpike, and the Dallas North Tollway. Heavy commuter traffic, ongoing commercial construction near Legacy West, and fast-growing cycling corridors around Oak Point Park increase the likelihood of accidents. Whether you were rear-ended on Preston Road, hurt at Medical City Plano by alleged medical negligence, or injured at a high-tech workplace campus, understanding Texas personal injury law is critical.

This guide favors injury victims by clarifying their legal rights, deadlines, and local resources—using only verifiable statutes and court rules.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

Key Principles

• Negligence: Plaintiffs must prove the defendant owed a duty, breached it, and caused damages.

• Causation & Damages: You must link the breach to specific losses—medical bills, lost wages, pain, and impairment.

• Proportionate Responsibility: Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code (CPRC) §33.001, a claimant can recover damages so long as their own fault does not exceed 50%.

Statute of Limitations

CPRC §16.003 establishes a two-year limitations period for most personal injury claims, including auto collisions and premises liability. Claims against a Texas governmental unit—such as the City of Plano for a sidewalk defect—require notice within six months of injury (Texas Tort Claims Act, CPRC §101.101) and suit within two years.

Victim Rights Under Texas Law

• Access to Courts: Article I, §13 of the Texas Constitution guarantees an open-courts remedy for wrongfully injured parties.

• Fair Compensation: CPRC §41.003 allows exemplary damages when the defendant’s conduct is fraudulent, malicious, or grossly negligent—subject to statutory caps.

• Jury Trial: Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 216 lets either party demand a jury in Collin County District Court (usually the 219th, 296th, or 417th for Plano cases).

Common Personal Injury Cases in Plano & Texas

Motor-Vehicle Collisions

Plano recorded 3,567 crashes in the most recent Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) data set. High-speed segments of U.S. 75 and Coit Road report the greatest injury density.

Commercial Truck & Delivery Van Accidents

With corporate hubs such as Frito-Lay and FedEx Ground, large trucks traverse Plano daily. When an 18-wheeler injures you, federal FMCSA regulations and Texas Transportation Code §§644.051–.103 may supply crucial evidence standards.

Premises Liability & Slip-and-Fall

Texas premises law (CPRC §§75.001–.007) distinguishes invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Retailers along West Park Boulevard owe invitees a duty to remedy or warn of unreasonably dangerous conditions they know or should know about.

Workplace & Non-Subscriber Claims

Many Plano employers are non-subscribers to the Texas workers’ compensation system. Injured employees can sue such employers for negligence, and CPRC §406.033 bars several employer defenses, giving workers a strategic advantage.

Medical Malpractice

Medical City Plano and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center are renowned, yet errors happen. CPRC §74.251 requires filing suit within two years of the tortious act and serving defendants with an expert report within 120 days (CPRC §74.351).

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Comparative Fault Explained

Texas follows a modified comparative fault scheme (CPRC Chapter 33). If a jury assigns you 20% fault for an accident and awards $100,000 in damages, your net recovery drops to $80,000. If your fault exceeds 50%, you recover nothing.

Damage Categories

• Economic: Medical expenses (past & future), lost earnings, household services.

• Non-Economic: Pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement.

• Exemplary (Punitive): Capped by CPRC §41.008 at the greater of (a) $200,000 or (b) two times economic plus up to $750,000 noneconomic.

Insurance Requirements

Texas Transportation Code §601.072 mandates minimum auto liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person and $60,000 per crash. For additional medical payments, many Plano drivers purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance.

Court Procedures

• Pleadings: A Petition filed under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure (TRCP) 47 must declare the monetary range of damages sought.

• Discovery: Parties exchange disclosures (TRCP 194), requests for production, and depositions—often hosted at law offices near Granite Park.

• Mediation: Collin County District Courts commonly order mediation before trial, employing certified mediators in Plano or McKinney.

• Trial: Twelve-person jury in district court; verdict must be 10 of 12 agreeing on liability and damages.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

1. Emergency Medical Care

Call 911 or visit Medical City Plano’s Level I Trauma Center. Immediate treatment creates a medical record and mitigates failure-to-mitigate defenses.

2. Report the Incident

• Auto Crashes: Texas Transportation Code §550.062 requires Plano Police to file a crash report if injuries occur.

• Workplace Injuries: Notify your employer within 30 days (Texas Labor Code §409.001).

3. Preserve Evidence

• Photograph the scene, vehicles, or hazard.

• Collect witness names and contact information.

• Secure surveillance footage (send spoliation letters under TRCP 196.4).

4. Follow Medical Advice

Attend follow-up visits at Baylor Scott & White – Plano or Texas Health Presbyterian Plano. Gaps in treatment allow insurers to argue intervening causes.

5. Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer Plano Texas An attorney can calculate damages, manage liens, and comply with strict filing deadlines.

Discover more about our services on the Louis Law Group website.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

Indicators You Need Counsel

• Liability is disputed or multiple vehicles are involved.

• You suffered catastrophic injuries or permanent impairment.

• The defendant is a government entity or non-subscriber employer.

• The insurer requests a recorded statement or broad medical release.

Attorney Qualifications

Texas attorneys must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas and follow the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Verify status through the Bar’s public database.

Contingency Fees & Costs

Most Plano accident attorneys represent victims on contingency, typically 33⅓%–40% of the recovery plus expenses advanced. Under TRCP 42 and CPRC §38.001, certain fee shifting rules may apply in contract-based injury claims.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Courts & Agencies

• Collin County District Clerk: 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney, TX – file civil petitions.

• Plano Police Records: 909 14th St., Plano, TX – obtain crash reports.

• TxDOT Crash Records: Submit CR-91 form for statewide reports.

Hospitals & Specialists

• Medical City Plano – Level I trauma care.

• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano – orthopedic and neurological specialists.

• Texas Health Plano Rehabilitation – post-surgical therapy.

Support Organizations

Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line – dispute insurance delays.

Collin County Health Care Services – sliding-scale clinics for uninsured victims.

North Texas Brain Injury Society – local support groups for TBI survivors.

Practical Timeline

• Day 1-3: Medical treatment, report, evidence photos.

• Week 1-2: Notify insurer; consult a plano accident attorney.

• Month 1-6: Ongoing care; lawyer investigates; settlement talks.

• By 18 Months: File suit if unresolved—protect two-year limitations.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change, and application varies by facts. Always consult a licensed Texas personal injury 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.