Texas Statute of Limitations Calculator
Find out how long you may have to file a personal-injury claim in Texas. Enter your accident date and case type to see an estimated deadline — with the governing statute cited for every answer.
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How the Texas filing deadline works
A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Texas, the general deadline for personal-injury cases — car crashes, truck accidents, slip-and-falls, and most other negligence claims — is two years from the date of the injury, set by Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Miss that deadline and your claim is usually gone for good.
But the two-year rule has important exceptions. The deadline can be tolled (paused) for injured children and for people who are legally incapacitated. Medical-malpractice and product-liability claims carry their own statutes of repose. And claims against a government entity are governed by short notice deadlines that can expire in a matter of weeks. This calculator applies the common rules and flags the situations where you should not rely on a simple number.
Frequently asked questions
What is the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Texas?
In Texas, most personal-injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of the date of the injury under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003(a). Some claims — such as those against a government entity — have much shorter notice deadlines.
What happens if I miss the filing deadline?
If you file after the statute of limitations expires, the court will usually dismiss your case and you lose the right to recover, no matter how strong it was. A few narrow exceptions (such as the discovery rule or tolling for minors) can change the deadline, so speak with an attorney before assuming a claim is barred.
Does the deadline change for a child?
Often, yes. For a minor, the clock is generally tolled and does not start until the child turns 18 (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001), so the deadline is typically the 20th birthday. Medical-malpractice cases have special rules for young children.
Are claims against a city or the state different?
Yes, and they are far more time-sensitive. The Texas Tort Claims Act and many city charters require formal written notice in as little as 45 to 90 days — long before the 2-year lawsuit deadline. Because of this, this calculator will not estimate a date for government claims and instead recommends contacting an attorney immediately.
Next, estimate what a claim could be worth with the Texas Settlement Calculator.