Personal Injury Guide for Fort Worth, Texas Victims

Introduction: Why Fort Worth Residents Need a Texas-Specific Personal Injury Guide

Fort Worth, Texas is the 13th-largest city in the United States and a vital hub for energy, aviation, and cattle commerce. The city’s rapid growth along I-35W, I-20, I-30, and Loop 820 has increased traffic congestion and, unfortunately, serious accidents. In 2022 alone, the Texas Department of Transportation recorded more than 15,000 crashes in Tarrant County, with a significant portion occurring inside Fort Worth’s city limits. Whether you were rear-ended near the West 7th Street entertainment district, injured in an oil-field incident on the outskirts of town, or hurt by a negligent ranch hand on nearby farmland, you have rights under Texas law. This guide explains those rights, the procedural rules that govern injury litigation inside Tarrant County courts, and how to protect your claim.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

1. The Right to Seek Damages

Texas recognizes a broad range of compensatory damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, physical impairment, pain and suffering, and property damage. In egregious cases, exemplary (punitive) damages may be available under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (CPRC) §41.003, provided the plaintiff proves “malice, fraud, or gross negligence” by clear and convincing evidence.

2. Statute of Limitations

In most personal injury actions—motor-vehicle collisions, slip-and-fall injuries, and wrongful death—the two-year limitations period set out in Texas Statute of Limitations §16.003 applies. Clock starts on the date of injury or death. Missing this deadline usually bars recovery.

3. Comparative Fault

Texas follows a modified comparative fault scheme known as “proportionate responsibility,” codified in Texas Proportionate Responsibility Law (CPRC Chapter 33). An injured party who is 50% or less at fault may recover damages, but the award is reduced by their percentage of fault. If the plaintiff is 51% or more responsible, they recover nothing.

4. The Right to Jury Trial

CPRC §15.005 allows venue in the county where at least one defendant resides or where the accident occurred. Tarrant County District Courts typically hear claims exceeding $250,000, while County Courts at Law hear lower value cases. A timely jury demand under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP) 216 preserves your right to have six or twelve citizens decide liability and damages.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Fort Worth and Across Texas

Motor-Vehicle Collisions

• High-speed interstate crashes on I-35W and I-20 caused by fatigued commercial drivers.

• Drunk-driving wrecks in the Stockyards district after major events.

• Rear-end collisions on congested Loop 820 during rush hour.

Oil & Gas / Industrial Accidents

Tarrant County sits atop the Barnett Shale. Rig explosions, toxic exposure, and heavy-equipment incidents create unique injury scenarios requiring OSHA and Railroad Commission investigations.

Premises Liability

Slip-and-falls in big-box stores along Hulen Street, dog bites in suburban backyards, or negligent security at downtown parking garages fall under premises liability rules in CPRC §75.002 and relevant case law (e.g., CMH Homes v. Daenen, 15 S.W.3d 97 (Tex. 2000)).

Truck Accidents

Fort Worth is an 18-wheeler crossroads. Interstate commerce implicates both federal safety regs and Texas Transportation Code §644.0001 et seq. Victims often face large corporate insurers.

Farm & Ranch Injuries

Rural outskirts see ATV rollovers, livestock-related kicks, and fencing injuries. Agricultural employers may file a “nonsubscriber” plan instead of workers’ compensation, opening doors to negligence suits.

Weather-Related Incidents

North Texas’s severe hail and flash flooding contribute to hydroplaning crashes and unsafe courthouse steps during icy mornings.

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

A. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Highlights

• CPRC §16.003 – Two-year statute for personal injury and wrongful death.

• CPRC Chapter 33 – Comparative fault and contribution among parties.

• CPRC §41.003 – Standard for punitive damages.

• CPRC §18.001 – Affidavit procedure to prove reasonableness of medical bills.

B. Mandatory Auto Liability Coverage

The Texas Auto Liability Insurance Requirements set minimum 30/60/25 limits ($30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage). Unfortunately, many drivers carry only the minimum, leaving victims to pursue under-insured motorist (UIM) benefits.

C. Damage Caps

There are no caps on economic or non-economic damages in ordinary negligence actions. However, Texas caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice claims under CPRC §74.301—$250,000 per physician and $500,000 overall per health-care institution.

D. Attorney Advertising & Licensing Rules

Texas lawyers must be licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas and maintain good standing. Confirmation is available through the Texas State Bar Lawyer Lookup.

• Under Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct 7.01-7.07, attorneys must not make false or misleading ads and must include principal office location.

• Only lawyers board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization may call themselves “specialists.”

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Prompt treatment at facilities like John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS) or Texas Health Harris Methodist documents causation and damages. Request copies of EMS run reports and discharge summaries.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Take photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, weather conditions, and visible injuries.

• Identify witnesses and secure contact details.

• For premises cases, request incident reports from the property manager.

3. Report the Incident

Texas Transportation Code §550.062 requires a crash report (CR-3) if property damage exceeds $1,000 or if injury occurs. Obtain the TxDOT Crash Report online for $6–$8.

4. Notify Insurance Carriers

File claims with the at-fault party’s insurer and any applicable personal policies (PIP, Med-Pay, UIM). Follow policy notice provisions to avoid reservation-of-rights denials.

5. Track Expenses

Use a spreadsheet or app to record prescriptions, therapy mileage, childcare costs, and lost wages. These items are compensable under Texas law.

6. Beware of Recorded Statements

Insurance adjusters may request statements within days. Politely decline until you consult counsel to avoid admissions that could be used to assign you majority fault under CPRC Chapter 33.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

Indicators You Need a Fort Worth Accident Attorney

• Liability is disputed or multiple vehicles were involved.

• You sustained fractures, spinal cord trauma, or traumatic brain injury.

• The at-fault driver was uninsured or under-insured.

• Medical bills exceed $3,000—triggering potential subrogation by health insurers.

• You are asked to sign a release less than 30 days after the crash.

What an Attorney Does

• Investigates liability by downloading 911 audio, subpoenaing dash-cam footage, and hiring accident-reconstruction experts.

• Calculates full damages—including future surgeries—using life-care planners.

• Files suit in Tarrant County District Court, meets discovery deadlines under TRCP 190-216, and negotiates with insurers.

• Prepares the case for trial to demonstrate readiness, increasing settlement value.

Contingent Fees and Costs

Most Texas personal injury lawyers charge 33⅓% to 40% contingency, per written contract compliant with Rule 1.04 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules. Costs (filing fees, depositions) are usually advanced by counsel and reimbursed from the recovery.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Court & Government Offices

Tarrant County Courts – Filing fees, dockets, and forms.

• Tarrant County Clerk – Records for probate injury claims when a decedent’s estate is involved.

• Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) Records Unit – Obtain accident, offense, and body-cam records.

Medical Facilities

• John Peter Smith Hospital (Level I Trauma Center) – 1500 S. Main St.

• Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth – 1301 Pennsylvania Ave.

• Cook Children’s Medical Center – Pediatric injuries.

Economic Assistance

• Texas Workforce Commission – Temporary disability benefits for qualified workers.

• Social Security Administration – SSDI and SSI applications for permanently disabled claimants.

Action Plan

• Mark the two-year statute date on your calendar.

• Request medical and police records within 30 days.

• Consult a qualified personal injury lawyer Fort Worth Texas before giving statements.

• Continue medical treatment and follow physicians’ orders to mitigate damages as required by Texas law.

Legal Disclaimer

This article provides general information about Texas personal injury law and is not legal advice. Laws change, and the facts of every case are unique. Consult a licensed Texas attorney before acting on any information herein.

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.