Personal Injury Guide for Garland, Texas Victims

Introduction: Why Garland Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Guide

Garland, Texas—home to more than 240,000 residents and intersected by high-traffic corridors like Interstate 30, President George Bush Turnpike (SH 190), and LBJ Freeway (I-635)—sees its share of serious accidents. Whether you were rear-ended near Firewheel Town Center, injured in a workplace incident at one of Garland’s manufacturing hubs along Jupiter Road, or hurt in a slip-and-fall while visiting Lake Ray Hubbard, understanding Texas personal injury law is critical to protecting your health and financial future. This guide is written for injury victims who are searching for a “personal injury lawyer Garland Texas” and want a clear, factual overview of their legal rights and options. We draw only from authoritative sources—such as the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (TCPRC), Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and published Texas court decisions—to ensure every statement is accurate and verifiable.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a civil action in which the injured person (the plaintiff) seeks monetary compensation (damages) from the party whose negligence, intentional act, or strict liability caused the harm. Under Texas law, damages can include:

• Economic losses—medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and property damage.

• Non-economic losses—pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of consortium.

• Exemplary (punitive) damages—available only in limited circumstances under TCPRC Chapter 41 when the defendant’s conduct involves malice, fraud, or gross negligence.

Statute of Limitations: The Two-Year Clock

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003(a) imposes a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims. The clock typically starts on the date of injury. If you miss the deadline, courts will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how strong the facts. Certain exceptions—such as the discovery rule for latent injuries or tolling for minors—exist, but they are narrowly construed by Texas courts. Consult a licensed attorney immediately after an accident in Garland to preserve your rights.

Texas’s Proportionate Responsibility Rule

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system codified in TCPRC Chapter 33. If you are 51% or more responsible for your own injuries, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if a jury awards $100,000 but finds you 20% at fault for a car crash on Broadway Boulevard, your recovery drops to $80,000.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Garland and Across Texas

Motor Vehicle Collisions

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Dallas County consistently ranks among the top Texas counties for traffic injuries and fatalities. Garland’s busy intersections—such as North Garland Avenue & West Walnut Street—are frequent crash sites. Injuries range from whiplash to catastrophic spinal cord damage.

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Because SH 190 and I-30 funnel commercial traffic to the Dallas logistics hub, 18-wheeler and delivery truck collisions are common. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Chapter 545 of the Texas Transportation Code govern these cases, often creating multiple liable parties: the driver, employer, maintenance contractor, and in some instances, the cargo loader.

Premises Liability (Slip, Trip & Fall)

Texas premises liability law requires property owners to remedy or warn of dangerous conditions they know—or reasonably should know—exist. Whether you slipped on a wet floor at a Garland grocery store or tripped over defective pavement at Audubon Park, you may hold the owner accountable if negligence caused the hazard.

Workplace and Industrial Injuries

Garland hosts numerous electronics, food-processing, and manufacturing plants. Employers that subscribe to the Texas workers’ compensation system offer no-fault benefits, but non-subscribers can be sued directly for negligence. Even with workers’ comp coverage, third-party claims may arise against equipment manufacturers or contractors.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Under Texas common law’s “one-bite” rule and local Garland ordinances, owners can be liable when they knew or should have known their animal was dangerous. Severe dog bites can create long-term scarring and psychological trauma, especially in young children.

Product Liability

Defective consumer goods, medical devices, or auto parts can injure Garland residents. TCPRC Chapter 82 establishes strict liability for manufacturers whose unreasonably dangerous products cause harm.

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws Every Victim Should Know

Cap on Non-Economic Damages in Medical Malpractice

TCPRC §74.301 caps non-economic damages in healthcare liability claims at $250,000 per claimant against physicians or single institutions, and $500,000 overall if multiple institutions are involved. The cap does not apply to economic losses.

Pre-Suit Notice and Expert Reports

In medical malpractice cases, TCPRC §74.051 requires 60-days’ written notice before filing suit, and §74.351 mandates an expert report within 120 days of filing. Failure to comply can result in dismissal with prejudice.

Sovereign Immunity and TTCA Claims

Lawsuits against Garland city departments or state agencies fall under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA), TCPRC §101.021. Plaintiffs must provide formal notice within six months of the incident (§101.101), and damages caps apply—generally $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury.

Insurance Bad-Faith Protections

The Texas Insurance Code §542.060 allows policyholders to seek 18% annual interest and attorneys’ fees if an insurer unfairly delays or denies valid claims. This is especially relevant when pursuing Texas injury compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy.

Seven Critical Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Visit Medical City Garland or another emergency facility even if injuries appear minor; some trauma (like traumatic brain injuries) is not immediately obvious.

• Report the Incident. Call 911 for crashes, file an incident report with store management for slip-and-falls, or notify your supervisor for workplace injuries.

• Document Everything. Take scene photos, collect witness names, save damaged clothing or products, and obtain the police crash report (CR-3) from the Garland Police Department.

• Preserve Evidence. Do not repair vehicles or discard defective items before an expert can inspect them. Under Texas Rule of Evidence 901, authenticity matters.

• Notify Your Insurer—but Be Cautious. Provide basic facts, but avoid recorded statements until you understand your rights. Insurance adjusters represent the company, not you.

• Track Economic Losses. Keep medical bills, mileage receipts, and pay stubs to prove lost income. Texas law requires reasonably certain evidence of damages.

• Consult a Qualified Garland Accident Attorney. A lawyer can calculate comparative fault, negotiate liens, and file suit before the two-year deadline.

When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Garland?

Complex Liability or Severe Injuries

If fault is disputed—or you suffered catastrophic injuries such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury—representation is crucial. High-stakes cases often involve multiple defendants and expert testimony under Texas Rule of Evidence 702.

Low Settlement Offers or Bad-Faith Denials

Insurance companies may undervalue pain and suffering or challenge causation. A seasoned Garland accident attorney can invoke Insurance Code §541.060 (prohibiting unfair settlement practices) and file a Stowers demand when policy limits are at risk.

Statute of Limitations Concerns

Approaching the two-year deadline without a filed petition risks forfeiting your claim. Preparing pleadings that satisfy Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 47 (pleading requirements) and 99 (citation) takes time.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Garland Injury Victims

Medical Facilities

• Medical City Garland – 2300 Marie Curie Blvd, Garland, TX 75042

• Parkland Garland Health Center – 802 Hopkins St, Garland, TX 75040

• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lake Pointe (Rowlett) – 6800 Scenic Dr, Rowlett, TX 75088

Court Venues

Personal injury lawsuits arising in Garland are generally filed in the Dallas County District Courts or Dallas County Courts at Law, located at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75202.

Government & Legal Assistance

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Texas Department of Insurance – Division of Workers’ Compensation State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Texas Judiciary Online

Checklist Before You Call a Lawyer

• Collect all medical records and bills.

• Obtain crash or incident reports.

• List witnesses with contact information.

• Photograph injuries over time.

• Review your auto, health, or homeowners insurance policies.

Conclusion

The aftermath of an injury can feel overwhelming, but Texas law provides powerful tools to help you secure just compensation—if you know how to use them. From the two-year statute of limitations in TCPRC §16.003 to the comparative fault rules in Chapter 33, the legal framework is designed to balance accountability and fairness. By acting quickly, preserving evidence, and consulting a qualified attorney, Garland residents can level the playing field against insurance companies and negligent parties.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and their application varies by individual circumstances. You should consult a licensed Texas attorney 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.