How Long After an Accident Can You Sue in Texas?

Getting into an accident is confusing not only at the scene but also during the period that follows. All of a sudden, you’re thrown into a turmoil that you did not foresee. There are medical bills to be paid, property to be repaired or replaced, mental anguish on you and your loved ones, and so on.

If you’re not the one who caused the accident, you might be wondering how long after the accident you can sue the responsible parties in Texas.

At The Estes Law Firm, we advise clients to wait until they’ve determined the full magnitude of resulting damages but also remain wary of the statute of limitations.

What’s the Statute of Limitations in Texas?

The statute of limitations is a legal term that defines a timeline within which you can file an accident claim. If you sue after this time has passed, the court is likely to deny your application, but there are exceptions.

In Texas, you have two years from when the negligent incident occurred to sue the liable parties. If the defendant is a government employee or agency, such as road construction departments, you have only six months to start the claims process.

Is There Anything Like Suing Too Early After an Accident?

When you get into an accident and you’re not in your best financial state, it’s tempting to start your legal claim right away. You’ve suffered losses that you weren’t prepared for, and worse, it was someone else’s fault.

But you might be making a mistake when you file a claim too soon. Suing too early after an accident means that you haven’t taken enough time to assess your damages to their fullest. When you allow a car accident lawyer to work on your case, you’ll be certain that you’re asking for sufficient compensation.

Don’t Wait Too Long to Sue After an Accident

Even with the two-year window period to sue after an accident, don’t wait this long to file your claim unless it’s necessary. Waiting too long can have negative consequences on your compensation for two reasons:

• It’s Hard to Preserve Evidence Over a Long Time – Law enforcement and other departments might not be so careful with evidence that has stayed for a long time in their storage.
• Memory Recollection Issues – Eyewitnesses, and even you, might have a problem recollecting events of the day of the accident if you wait too long.

Get Help from a Car Accident Lawyer in Texas

A car accident lawsuit can end either in recovering full damages, receiving insufficient compensation, or the insurance company denying your claim. The outcome partly depends on how long you take to sue the liable parties.

The correct timeline to sue after an accident in Texas depends on the specifics of your case. Learn all you need to know by reviewing your claim with a car accident lawyer in a free consultation. Call The Estes Law Firm at 281-238-5400 or complete the quick contact form below to start.