How Long You Have to File After a Fort Worth, TX Crash
Short answer: In Texas you generally must file an injury or property damage lawsuit within two years of the crash. Claims involving a government vehicle may need written notice within six months, and sometimes less under a city charter. Insurance negotiations don't stop the clock.
The two-year rule
A person must bring suit for personal injury, and for injury to property, no later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003(a)). For a crash, that's usually the crash date. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the death (§16.003(b)). "File" means filing a lawsuit in court, not opening an insurance claim.
When the clock pauses (tolling)
- Minors: the period doesn't run while a person is under 18 (CPRC §16.001). The two years start at the 18th birthday. A parent's own claim for the child's medical bills may not be tolled, so don't wait.
- Unsound mind: the period is also tolled while a person is of unsound mind (§16.001).
- Defendant out of state: absence from Texas can toll the period in some cases (§16.063).
Tolling rules are technical. Don't rely on one without a lawyer's advice.
Government vehicles: six months or less
For a crash with a city, county or state vehicle, the Texas Tort Claims Act requires written notice of the claim within six months of the incident, describing the injury, the time and place, and the incident (CPRC §101.101). Cities can set shorter notice periods in their charters. If a Fort Worth or Tarrant County vehicle was involved, check the local charter right away. Damages against government units are also capped by statute.
Other deadlines that matter sooner
- Your own insurer: PIP and UM policies require prompt notice. PIP covers expenses incurred within three years of the crash (Ins. Code §1952.151).
- Evidence: camera footage, vehicle data and witness memories fade in days or weeks.
- Crash report: order the CR-3 early (TxDOT CRIS).
A timeline example
A crash on I-35W on March 10, 2026: the lawsuit deadline is generally March 10, 2028. If a city vehicle was involved, notice may be due by September 10, 2026, or sooner under the city charter. If the injured person is 16, their own injury claim generally runs until their 20th birthday. These dates are illustrations, not legal advice for your case.
Local help in and around Fort Worth
- Emergency: call 911. Inside city limits the Fort Worth Police Department responds; on some highways it may be the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office or Texas DPS.
- Crash report: the CR-3 is available from TxDOT about 10 business days after the crash (how to get it).
- Emergency care nearby: JPS Health Network (John Peter Smith Hospital) (Hospital emergency room); Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth (Hospital emergency room); Medical City Alliance (Hospital emergency room); Texas Health Alliance (Hospital emergency room).
- Not sure where to start? Our first-steps checklist covers the first 72 hours.
Common questions
How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Texas?
Generally two years from the crash (CPRC §16.003).
Does filing an insurance claim stop the clock?
No. Only filing a lawsuit stops the statute of limitations.
What about a crash with a city vehicle?
Written notice is usually due within six months under CPRC §101.101, and some city charters require it sooner.
What if I was a minor?
The two years generally begin at your 18th birthday (CPRC §16.001), but a parent's claim for medical bills may not wait.
Want a lawyer to look at your case for free?
If you were hurt in a crash that wasn't your fault, in Fort Worth or anywhere else in Texas, you can ask for a free consultation. A trusted local attorney will contact you promptly and evaluate your case for free. There's no cost to ask and no obligation.