Personal Injury Rights Guide for Mansfield, Texas

Introduction: Why Mansfield Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Guide

Mansfield, Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Strategically located along U.S. Highway 287 and State Highway 360, the city sees substantial commuter and commercial traffic each day. With growth comes an unavoidable increase in car crashes, workplace incidents, construction mishaps, and other accidents that can leave residents facing mounting medical bills and lost wages. If you searched for a personal injury lawyer Mansfield Texas, you likely need clear, accurate information on your legal options. This comprehensive guide explains Texas personal injury law, the deadlines that apply, and the practical steps you can take to protect your claim—always with a slight bias toward the rights of injury victims.

Every statement below is grounded in verifiable Texas authority, including the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (TCPRC), Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP), Texas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions, and publications from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Where relevant, we highlight local resources such as Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and the Tarrant County civil courts that routinely hear Mansfield-related injury cases.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Texas

The Legal Basis of a Personal Injury Claim

A personal injury claim arises when one person’s negligence—or intentional act—causes harm to another. Under TCPRC §33.001 et seq., Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” standard, also called proportionate responsibility. An injured plaintiff may recover damages so long as their share of responsibility is not greater than 50%. If the plaintiff’s fault is 51% or more, recovery is barred. Within that threshold, any percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff reduces the monetary award by the same percentage.

Statute of Limitations

Most personal injury lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years of the accident date under TCPRC §16.003(a). Wrongful death actions share this two-year period, beginning on the date of death. There are narrow exceptions—such as for minors or fraudulently concealed injuries—but they require fact-specific legal analysis. Missing the statute of limitations almost always means forfeiting your right to compensation.

Damages You May Recover

• Economic damages: medical expenses (past and future), lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, and property damage.

• Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.

• Exemplary (punitive) damages: available under TCPRC §41.003 when the defendant’s conduct involves fraud, malice, or gross negligence, and subject to statutory caps in §41.008.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Texas

Motor-Vehicle Collisions

TxDOT’s 2022 Crash Statistics show more than 15,000 crashes across Tarrant, Johnson, and Ellis counties—the three counties that meet within Mansfield’s city limits. Busy corridors such as U.S. 287 and Walnut Creek Drive are frequent crash sites. Common causes include speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield.

Commercial Truck Accidents

Mansfield sees consistent 18-wheeler traffic heading to DFW distribution centers. Commercial truck claims often trigger federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and require preserving black-box data quickly through a spoliation letter.

Premises Liability (Slip, Trip & Fall)

Grocery stores along Broad Street and retail centers at The Shops at Broad have a duty to keep aisles and parking lots reasonably safe. Under Texas premises-liability case law (e.g., Austin v. Kroger Texas L.P., 465 S.W.3d 193, Tex. 2015), an injured customer must prove the business either created the dangerous condition or knew—or should have known—about it and failed to fix or warn.

Workplace and Construction Accidents

Numerous Mansfield residents work in nearby Arlington or Fort Worth construction zones. If the employer subscribes to the Texas Workers’ Compensation system, benefits are generally limited to that system’s schedule. Non-subscriber employers may face direct negligence suits under TCPRC §406.033.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Texas follows a “one-bite” rule supplemented by negligence principles. Mansfield’s City Code §90.02 requires owners to restrain aggressive dogs; violating that ordinance can establish negligence per se.

Texas Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Proportionate Responsibility in Practice

Under TCPRC §33.003, a jury assigns each responsible party—including the plaintiff—a percentage of fault. Suppose you are hit by a distracted driver on Matlock Road and incur $100,000 in damages. If the jury finds you 10% at fault for slightly exceeding the speed limit, your verdict is reduced to $90,000.

Minimum Liability Insurance

Texas requires vehicle owners to carry at least $30,000 per injured person/$60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage (Texas Transportation Code §601.072). Unfortunately, these limits often fall short of covering serious injuries, making underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage critical. Review your policy declarations or consult the Texas Department of Insurance for consumer guidance.

Medical Expense “Paid or Incurred” Rule

Under TCPRC §41.0105, plaintiffs may only recover medical expenses actually paid or still owed after insurance adjustments—often reducing the face value of hospital bills. An experienced mansfield accident attorney will present both the gross charges and evidence of paid amounts to maximize recovery.

Pre-Suit Notice and Settlement Offers

Certain cases—such as healthcare liability claims—require 60-day pre-suit notice and an expert report (see TCPRC §74.351). Under TRCP 167 and TCPRC §42.003, either party may issue a settlement offer. Rejecting a reasonable offer can expose a losing party to cost-shifting for litigation expenses.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Texas

Seek Immediate Medical Attention Visit an emergency department such as Methodist Mansfield Medical Center or Texas Health Arlington Memorial. Prompt treatment documents causation and damages. Report the Incident Call 9-1-1 after any vehicle collision. Mansfield police officers will generate a CR-3 crash report, accessible online through TxDOT’s Crash Report Purchasing System. Gather Evidence Take cell-phone photos of the scene, property damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect witness names, phone numbers, and insurance information. Notify Your Insurer Most policies require timely notice. Provide basic facts but avoid recorded statements until you speak with counsel. Preserve Physical Evidence Store damaged clothing or defective products in a safe place. Do not repair your vehicle until photos and independent appraisals are complete. Track Expenses Maintain a journal of out-of-pocket costs, mileage to medical appointments, and changes in daily activities. Consult a Qualified Attorney The Texas State Bar requires all attorneys to be licensed and in good standing. Use the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Directory to verify credentials.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

Serious Injuries and High-Dollar Claims

If you have suffered fractures, spinal trauma, traumatic brain injury, or disfigurement, the stakes far exceed policy minimums. A seasoned lawyer can identify additional defendants—such as a negligent employer or product manufacturer—to expand the recovery pie.

Disputed Liability

Insurance carriers often argue shared fault under the proportionate responsibility rules. Swift investigation and expert reconstruction can shift the fault balance in your favor.

Uncooperative Insurers

Bad-faith delay or denial can open the door to extra-contractual liability under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 541. Legal counsel can issue demand letters and pursue statutory penalties.

Local Resources & Next Steps

• Mansfield Municipal Court: 1305 E. Broad St. Handles traffic tickets that may intersect with crash evidence.

• Tarrant County District Courts: 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth. Civil disputes over $250,000 are typically filed here.

• Methodist Mansfield Medical Center: 2700 E. Broad St. Provides emergency and orthopedic care—obtain certified medical records for your claim.

• TxDOT Fort Worth District Office: Offers local crash statistics useful for proving roadway hazard patterns.

• Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 800-252-3439 for policy questions and complaint filing.

For transportation injury data, visit the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Statistics. For insurance rights, review the TDI Consumer Bill of Rights.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and every case involves unique facts. 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.