Questions & answers · Car insurance
How long do I have to sue the other driver in Texas for my car damage or injuries?
Car insuranceDeadlinesTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code · § 16.003 · Sec. 16.003 (a) View original ↗
In short
- A Texas statute sets a two-year limit for suits about injury to property or a person.
- The two years count from the day the cause of action accrues.
- The source does not tell you when that day is in your case.
What this means
This answer uses a Texas statute only. Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code says a person must bring suit for trespass for injury to the property of another, taking or detaining the personal property of another, and personal injury not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues. The section also begins with "Except as provided by Sections 16.010, 16.0031, and 16.0045," so other rules can change the period. This is about going to court, not about the time limit for reporting a claim to an insurance company. The source does not say what "accrues" means for your crash.
Your next step
Write down the date of the crash today and read Sec. 16.003 and the sections it mentions. The deadline in the source is two years after the cause of action accrues; the source does not say when that is for your case. The time to report a claim to an insurer is not in this source.
Check it yourself
Open the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 16, and read Sec. 16.003 (a).
Where this comes from (1)
[1] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code · § 16.003 · Sec. 16.003 (a) · checked 2026-11-06
Sec. 16.003. TWO-YEAR LIMITATIONS PERIOD. (a) Except as provided by Sections 16.010, 16.0031, and 16.0045, a person must bring suit for trespass for injury to the estate or to the property of another, conversion of personal property, taking or detaining the personal property of another, personal injury, forcible entry and detainer, and forcible detainer not later than two years after the day the cause of action accru…
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
Related answers
- What is the deadline to file a car insurance claim after a car accident?
- Is there a deadline to file a car insurance claim after an accident?
- How long do I have to sue the at-fault driver in Florida?
- How long do I have to sue the other driver in Ohio for my car damage or injuries?
Answer id CQ3002. Spotted an error? Tell us.