Filing deadline
2 years
Usually two years; exceptions apply.
Texas law, at a glance.
Key rules, with sources.
Fault limit
51%Fault reduces recovery; over 50% generally bars it.
Liability minimums
30/60/25$30k per person, $60k per crash, $25k for property.
Government notice
6 monthsSome local notice deadlines are shorter.
Uninsured coverage
UM/UIMUsually included unless declined in writing.
Injury protection
$2,500PIP pays covered costs regardless of fault, unless waived.
wrongful_death_deadline
2 yearsThe clock starts on the day of the death, not the day of the crash.
wrongful_death_who_may_sue
Spouse, children, parentsIf none of them files within three months, the estate's representative must.
wrongful_death_damage_caps
Exemplary damages capped by formulaTwice the economic damages plus noneconomic up to $750,000, or $200,000, whichever is larger.
health_care_damage_caps
$500,000 per claimant, adjusted for inflation since 1977A death claim against a physician or provider; care already given or still needed sits outside it.
government_damage_caps
$250,000 per person against the state or a cityA county, a district or another local body is capped lower, at $100,000 for each person.
workers_comp_opt_out
Coverage is elective for private employersAn employer that opts out cannot blame the worker's own care, a coworker, or accepted risk.
crash_report
$6, or $8 certifiedBought from TxDOT's online crash records system and delivered by email.
pip_or_no_fault
PIP is in the policy unless you rejected it in writingThe insurer must provide it, and only a signed rejection takes it back out.
General info, not legal advice. Sources last checked September 11, 2026.
What kind of accident was it?
Some crashes bring a different rulebook, a different insurer, or a shorter deadline.
Texas law, question by question.
Each one answers a single question, with the statute it comes from.
Fatal crashes in Texas
Every fatal crash in Texas is counted by NHTSA, by year since 1975 and by county. These are deaths on the road, not claims, and they are not our numbers.
Fatal crashes in Texas, by year1975–2024
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)All 50 years as a table
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,774 | 4,160 |
| 2023 | 3,877 | 4,294 |
| 2022 | 3,966 | 4,408 |
| 2021 | 4,070 | 4,500 |
| 2020 | 3,522 | 3,876 |
| 2019 | 3,296 | 3,619 |
| 2018 | 3,311 | 3,648 |
| 2017 | 3,352 | 3,732 |
| 2016 | 3,427 | 3,797 |
| 2015 | 3,190 | 3,582 |
| 2014 | 3,190 | 3,536 |
| 2013 | 3,047 | 3,389 |
| 2012 | 3,033 | 3,408 |
| 2011 | 2,790 | 3,054 |
| 2010 | 2,746 | 3,023 |
| 2009 | 2,804 | 3,104 |
| 2008 | 3,116 | 3,476 |
| 2007 | 3,100 | 3,466 |
| 2006 | 3,122 | 3,531 |
| 2005 | 3,133 | 3,536 |
| 2004 | 3,266 | 3,699 |
| 2003 | 3,368 | 3,821 |
| 2002 | 3,348 | 3,823 |
| 2001 | 3,318 | 3,736 |
| 2000 | 3,254 | 3,779 |
| 1999 | 3,108 | 3,522 |
| 1998 | 3,168 | 3,586 |
| 1997 | 3,084 | 3,513 |
| 1996 | 3,249 | 3,742 |
| 1995 | 2,799 | 3,183 |
| 1994 | 2,752 | 3,187 |
| 1993 | 2,698 | 3,043 |
| 1992 | 2,691 | 3,059 |
| 1991 | 2,697 | 3,078 |
| 1990 | 2,889 | 3,250 |
| 1989 | 2,936 | 3,370 |
| 1988 | 3,001 | 3,392 |
| 1987 | 2,880 | 3,260 |
| 1986 | 3,120 | 3,567 |
| 1985 | 3,267 | 3,678 |
| 1984 | 3,465 | 3,912 |
| 1983 | 3,328 | 3,823 |
| 1982 | 3,699 | 4,213 |
| 1981 | 4,072 | 4,623 |
| 1980 | 3,814 | 4,366 |
| 1979 | 3,628 | 4,168 |
| 1978 | 3,407 | 3,914 |
| 1977 | 3,175 | 3,635 |
| 1976 | 2,730 | 3,172 |
| 1975 | 2,892 | 3,372 |
The fifteen Texas counties with the most fatal crashes2024
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Harris 48201 | 551 | 583 |
| Dallas 48113 | 304 | 330 |
| Bexar 48029 | 208 | 218 |
| Tarrant 48439 | 193 | 205 |
| Travis 48453 | 137 | 153 |
| El Paso 48141 | 77 | 81 |
| Collin 48085 | 66 | 72 |
| Montgomery 48339 | 60 | 62 |
| Hidalgo 48215 | 57 | 62 |
| Bell 48027 | 54 | 63 |
| Williamson 48491 | 50 | 51 |
| Denton 48121 | 47 | 50 |
| Nueces 48355 | 46 | 48 |
| Smith 48423 | 46 | 53 |
| Lubbock 48303 | 45 | 51 |
Which roads, in Texas2024
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)Share is of the crashes this source assigned a road class to, not of every crash in the state.
| Road class | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal | 809 | 849 | 22% |
| State Highway | 793 | 877 | 22% |
| U.S. Highway | 637 | 722 | 18% |
| Other | 625 | 713 | 17% |
| Interstate | 545 | 615 | 15% |
| County | 221 | 233 | 6% |
| Trafficway Not in State Inventory | 5 | 5 | 0% |
| Not Signed | 2 | 2 | 0% |
Questions on your mind?
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What to do after a car accident
The first steps: get safe, collect details and keep a record.
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Medical bills after an accident
What to check, what to keep and where to ask for help.
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When the insurance company calls
A few questions to help you keep the conversation clear.
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Missing work while you recover
Track the time you miss and ask about your leave options.
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