Laredo Guide to Texas Personal Injury Law & Options

Estimated read time: 11 min read

Introduction: Why Every Injured Person in Laredo, Texas Needs to Know Their Rights

Laredo’s unique position on the Texas–Mexico border makes it one of the busiest commercial corridors in the United States. Interstate 35 funnels thousands of tractor-trailers through the city each day, while the historic downtown district attracts heavy pedestrian and tourist traffic. Unfortunately, the same economic vitality that fuels the local economy also leads to a higher incidence of traffic collisions, workplace accidents in the logistics sector, and premises injuries at retail centers. If you were hurt here—whether in a multi-vehicle pile-up on Loop 20, a slip-and-fall at Mall del Norte, or a warehouse accident in the Killam Industrial Park—you are not alone. Understanding Texas personal injury law in Laredo is the first step toward reclaiming your health and financial stability.

This guide is written with a slight bias toward protecting injured individuals. It explains how Texas statutes, regulations, and recent court decisions apply to common claims such as auto accidents, defective products, workplace injuries, and wrongful death. You will learn precise deadlines, evidence requirements, and when hiring a Laredo accident attorney can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation.

Nothing in this article is legal advice; laws may change, and every case is fact-specific. For individualized counsel, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation.

Understanding Texas Personal Injury Law

1. Statute of Limitations—The Two-Year Rule

Texas law gives most injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. See Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. Miss the deadline and your case will almost certainly be dismissed, regardless of its merits. Limited exceptions—such as the discovery rule for latent injuries or tolling for minors—rarely apply, so act quickly.

2. Negligence & the Four Legal Elements

To prevail, you must prove:

• Duty: The defendant owed you a legal duty (e.g., drivers must obey traffic laws, property owners must fix hazards).

• Breach: They failed to meet that duty.

• Causation: The breach directly caused your injuries.

• Damages: You suffered losses the court can compensate.

3. Modified Comparative Fault—The 51 Percent Bar

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001). If you are 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance adjusters know this rule well and often overstate a claimant’s fault. A proactive personal injury lawyer Texas residents trust can push back.

4. Damages You Can Recover

• Economic: Medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, property damage.

• Non-economic: Pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment.

• Exemplary (punitive): Available when the defendant acted with malice or gross negligence (capped under §41.008).

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Texas

Auto & Truck Accidents

Commercial traffic is Laredo’s lifeblood but also its chief safety hazard. Texas leads the nation in fatal truck crashes. To prove negligence you will rely on police crash reports, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration logs, black-box data, and eyewitness statements.

Recent Texas Supreme Court decision In re UPS Ground Freight, Inc. (2022) affirmed that trucking companies may face direct liability for negligent hiring and retention, in addition to vicarious liability.

Slip-and-Fall / Premises Liability

Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §75.002, property owners owe different duties depending on whether the injured party is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Most shoppers are invitees, entitled to a warning of or remedy for known hazards the owner should reasonably discover.

Workplace & Industrial Accidents

Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation. If your employer is a nonsubscriber, you may sue directly for negligence and recover noneconomic damages unavailable in a standard comp claim.

Defective Products

Texas applies strict liability for manufacturing defects proven by design records, expert testimony, and the consumer-expectation test. Section 402A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts is persuasive authority in Texas courts.

Wrongful Death

The surviving spouse, children, and parents may sue under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §71.004. Damages include lost earning capacity, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses.

Texas Legal Protections & Key Regulations

Caps on Damages

• Medical Malpractice: Non-economic damages capped at $250,000 per physician and $500,000 overall per claimant (Chapter 74).

• Exemplary Damages: The greater of (a) $200,000, or (b) two times economic damages plus non-economic damages up to $750,000.

Seat Belt Evidence—Nabors Well Services v. Romero Since 2015, Texas defendants may introduce evidence that a plaintiff failed to use a seat belt to reduce comparative damages. Always preserve your right to full recovery by following safety laws.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)

TDI regulates insurers and adjuster conduct. Policyholders can file complaints online through the Texas Department of Insurance if a carrier acts in bad faith.

Pre-Suit Notice & Affidavits

Chapter 74 requires a 60-day notice and qualified expert report for health-care liability claims. Failing to comply can lead to dismissal with prejudice.

Recent Court Trend: Proportionate Responsibility

Texas appellate courts have increasingly scrutinized jury allocations of fault. A skilled Laredo accident attorney must present a clear narrative linking the defendant’s specific acts to each element of damage.

Steps to Take Immediately After an Injury in Laredo

• Seek Medical Attention Call 911 or visit Doctors Hospital of Laredo. Even if you feel “fine,” adrenaline can mask serious injuries such as internal bleeding.

• Document the Scene Use your phone to photograph hazards, vehicles, weather conditions, and visible injuries before evidence disappears.

• Collect Witness Information Names, phone numbers, and written statements can corroborate your version of events.

• Report the Incident For car wrecks, file a CR-3 crash report if police do not arrive. For workplace accidents, notify your supervisor in writing within 30 days.

• Preserve Physical Evidence Keep torn clothing, defective products, or damaged equipment in a secure location.

• Track Expenses and Symptoms Maintain a daily pain journal and store every receipt. These records make your damages tangible to a jury.

• Avoid Social Media Defense counsel scour Facebook and Instagram for posts they can twist. Set accounts to private and think before you post.

• Contact a Lawyer Before Signing Anything Insurance adjusters often call within 24 hours to obtain a recorded statement. Politely decline until you have counsel.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

You are not legally required to hire counsel, but statistics show represented claimants receive significantly higher settlements. Consider hiring an attorney when:

• Liability is disputed or more than one party may be at fault.

• You sustained fractures, head trauma, or injuries requiring surgery.

• Medical bills exceed $2,500—triggering red flags for insurers.

• An insurance carrier denies or delays your claim without clear reason.

• You suspect the employer is a nonsubscriber to workers’ compensation.

Louis Law Group represents injured Texans statewide. Our attorneys are licensed by the State Bar of Texas, have decades of combined trial experience, and work on a contingency fee—meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Laredo Residents

• Webb County Courthouse: 1110 Victoria St., Laredo, TX 78040 — Venue for civil suits under $250,000.

• United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division: 1300 Victoria St.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA): For income-qualified residents—Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.

• Webb County Bar Association: Lawyer referral service for local counsel.

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code: Full statutes online at Texas Legislature.

Laredo continues to improve traffic safety with Vision Zero initiatives and new pedestrian crosswalks along San Bernardo Avenue. Still, accidents happen. When they do, you deserve an advocate who understands both the Texas injury claims process and the unique local court culture.

Ready to protect your rights? If you or a loved one were injured in Laredo, Texas, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our team will review your claim, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws change frequently, and the information may not reflect the most recent legal developments. Always consult a qualified attorney regarding your individual situation.