Houston Personal Injury Local Guide

This guide is for people hurt in accidents in Houston, Texas (Harris County). It covers what to do in the first day, how to get records and reports here, which courts handle cases, towing and vehicle release info, deadlines, and trusted local links. It’s not legal advice—just practical, Houston-specific steps to help you get organized fast.

First 24 Hours in Houston

Safety & Medical

  • Call 911 for any life-threatening injury, major bleeding, chest pain, head/neck trauma, or crashes blocking travel lanes.
  • Non-emergency (Houston Police Department): 713-884-3131.
  • Urgent care vs. ER: For high-speed impacts, loss of consciousness, severe pain, anticoagulant use, or pedestrian/cyclist collisions, go to an ER—preferably a Level I trauma center when practical. Urgent care is fine for minor sprains/cuts.
  • Tell clinicians every area that hurts and how the crash happened. Ask for discharge instructions and keep copies.

Evidence Checklist

  • Photos/video: Vehicles and plates, damage, glass/debris, skid marks, signal heads/signs, lane markings, and visible injuries (wide shots + close-ups).
  • Witnesses: Names, mobile numbers, quick notes on what they saw; ask nearby businesses/homes to preserve camera footage.
  • Dashcam/bodycam: Save a copy immediately and back it up to cloud/email.
  • Police report info: Write down the officer’s name, agency (HPD/HCSO/CHP equivalent in TX is DPS/Highway Patrol, but crash reports are via TxDOT), and the case/report number.
  • Keep damaged items: Helmet, car seats, clothing, phone—store safely and don’t repair or discard yet.

Reporting an Accident

  • Texas requirement: Report crashes with injury, death, or apparent damage of $1,000+ to local police/sheriff; officers generally file a state crash report.
  • State crash reporting (DMV equivalent): Texas uses the TxDOT system, not a DMV SR-1 form. Insurers often request the official crash report through TxDOT’s portal (linked below).
  • Notify your insurer promptly; you can usually report via app. You don’t have to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer before you understand your rights (see FAQ).

Where Cases Happen Here (Courts & Venues)

Typical Houston trial courts for personal injury:

  • Harris County District Courts (Civil) — general jurisdiction civil courts that hear larger/complex PI cases. Info via the Harris County District Clerk.
  • Harris County Courts at Law (Civil) — county-level civil courts. See Harris County Courts at Law.
  • Justice of the Peace Courts (Small Claims/Civil) — civil jurisdiction generally up to $20,000 (often used for property-damage-only disputes). Start here: Harris County JP Courts.

Venue basics: Texas generally allows filing where the defendant resides or where a substantial part of the events occurred. Ask a lawyer about specific venue rules if multiple defendants or companies are involved.

E-filing: Texas uses the statewide eFileTexas portal (most lawyers must e-file; self-represented parties may file in person or e-file).

How to Get Your Police Report in Houston

Who investigated? Use the agency that took the report; most Texas crash reports are purchased through TxDOT’s system.

  • Houston Police Department (HPD) — General records & report info: Houston Police Department. Many HPD crash reports are available via TxDOT’s purchase portal.
  • Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) — Records: Harris County Sheriff’s Office (see Records/Reports).
  • Statewide (TxDOT) Crash Report Purchase — Official portal to search and buy Texas crash reports: TxDOT Crash Report Purchase System (CRIS). You’ll certify you’re an involved party/insurer/attorney and pay the posted fee.

What you need: Report/case number, date, location, and a party name, plus government ID for in-person requests.

Turnaround: Typically several days to a few weeks, longer for serious-injury or fatal crashes under investigation.

Report types: “Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3)” for traffic collisions; “incident/offense reports” for non-traffic police calls.

Hospitals & Clinics Near Houston

Mobile-friendly stacked list (no wide table):

High-Risk Areas & Local Crash Patterns

Houston’s Vision Zero program maps a High-Injury Network of streets with concentrated severe and fatal crashes. Corridors that frequently draw attention in safety plans and community feedback include parts of:

  • Westheimer Rd (Galleria to Montrose)
  • Bissonnet St and Beechnut St (Sharpstown/Alief)
  • Long Point Rd (Spring Branch)
  • Telephone Rd and Gulf Fwy frontage
  • Shepherd Dr / Greenbriar Dr
  • Old Spanish Trail / Yellowstone Blvd
  • North Main St and Airline Dr

Weather & events: Heavy rains and tropical systems can flood underpasses and feeder roads—never drive into water (Turn Around, Don’t Drown). Weekend nightlife in Midtown/Washington Ave and major events (NRG Park, downtown) bring higher pedestrian volumes—slow down and watch for people at night.

Explore official maps and dashboards: Vision Zero Houston · H-GAC (regional safety) · Houston TranStar (traffic & incidents)

Deadlines You Need to Know (Texas)

  • Personal injury & wrongful death: Generally 2 years from the date of injury/death. (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003)
  • Property damage only: Generally 2 years. (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003)
  • Medical malpractice (health-care liability): Generally 2 years, with a separate statute of repose and pre-suit rules (notice and expert reports). (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 74)
  • Claims against government entities: The Texas Tort Claims Act requires written notice—often within 6 months—and some cities/counties require shorter notice by charter or ordinance. Confirm the deadline for your agency immediately. (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.101)

Important: Exceptions (minors, delayed discovery, multiple defendants, government entities) can change these timelines. Talk to a licensed Texas attorney about your specific deadlines and check the official statutes linked below.

Costs & Fees (How It Typically Works)

Most Houston personal-injury lawyers use a contingency fee: the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery and is paid from a settlement or judgment. If there’s no recovery, the attorney fee is usually $0.

Case costs—medical records, filing and service fees, depositions, experts, crash reconstruction—are separate from attorney fees. Many firms advance costs and are reimbursed from the outcome; some bill certain expenses as you go. Ask for a written fee agreement showing the percentage at each stage (pre-suit vs. litigation vs. trial), how costs are handled, and what happens if you change firms.

Towing & Vehicle Storage in Houston

  • Find your towed vehicle: Use the region’s lookup: FindMyTowedCar.com (select Houston) or check with HPD.
  • Freeway breakdowns: Tow and Go provides no-cost tows from freeways to a nearby safe location (certain routes in the Houston region).
  • What to bring to the lot: Government photo ID, proof of ownership (registration/title), proof of insurance, and any required police release.
  • Fees: Non-consensual tow and storage rates are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). See state towing/vehicle storage guidance and fee schedules: TDLR Towing & VSF.
  • Disputes: You can request a post-storage hearing through the appropriate Justice Court; the tow ticket lists the court of proper venue.

Working With a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer

  • Communication: Expect a kickoff call, then regular updates by phone/email or a secure client portal; many firms check in every 30–60 days during treatment and more often during negotiations or court deadlines.
  • Access: Free consultations are common; many firms offer video meetings and, when needed, home or hospital visits. Houston practices often have bilingual staff (Spanish; some also offer Vietnamese, Mandarin, Arabic, etc.).
  • Medical coordination: Firms can help request records/bills, schedule follow-ups, and work with lien providers or MedPay. After settlement, they may negotiate medical liens and outstanding balances.

FAQs

1) Do you offer free consultations? How soon can I speak with an attorney?
Most Houston PI firms offer free consultations, often same-day or within 24 hours for serious injuries. Have your crash date, location, report number (if available), insurance info, photos, and any ER/urgent-care paperwork ready to speed things up.

2) How do contingency fees and case costs usually work in Texas?
The attorney fee is a percentage of the recovery, paid at the end. If there’s no recovery, the fee is typically $0. Case costs (records, filing, service, experts, depositions) are separate. Many firms advance costs and are reimbursed from the outcome; ask for the written fee agreement and sample cost breakdown.

3) How long do most cases take in Houston and what affects the timeline?
Straightforward claims can resolve a few months after treatment ends and records are collected. Litigated cases in Harris County often take 12–24+ months, depending on medical complexity, discovery, experts, and crowded court calendars. Clear documentation, finishing treatment, and realistic negotiation windows help.

4) Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
Cooperate with your own insurer as your policy requires. You aren’t obligated to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before you understand your rights. Keep early communications basic (who/when/where) until you’ve reviewed the police report and medical picture.

5) What if I was partly at fault under Texas law?
Texas uses modified comparative fault (proportionate responsibility). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault; if you are 51% or more at fault, you generally can’t recover. Don’t assume fault—photos, scene data, vehicle EDR, and expert analysis can shift the percentages.

6) How are medical bills handled during the case?
Use health insurance and MedPay if you have it. Some providers accept treatment on a lien (paid from settlement). Keep every bill and Explanation of Benefits. At the end, your lawyer can often negotiate liens and balances.

7) Will my case go to trial or settle?
Most cases settle after treatment and record gathering. If liability or causation is disputed—or offers are far below value—your lawyer may file suit. Many cases still resolve in mediation or pre-trial; some go to trial depending on the facts and evaluations.

8) What should I bring to the first meeting?
Bring ID, auto and health insurance cards, the crash report or number, photos/video, witness contacts, medical records/discharge papers, a list of providers, and pay stubs or employer letters showing time off. A brief symptom timeline helps.

Printable Checklist — What To Do After an Accident in Houston

  • Move to a safe area; call 911 if anyone may be hurt.
  • Get medical care; tell providers all symptoms.
  • Photograph vehicles, plates, injuries, scene, skid marks, signals, and road conditions.
  • Gather witness names and mobile numbers.
  • Note nearby cameras (businesses, homes, traffic cams) and ask to preserve footage.
  • Write down the police report/case number and agency.
  • Preserve damaged items; don’t repair or discard until documented.
  • Notify your insurer; avoid recorded statements to the other carrier until you understand your rights.
  • Track symptoms, missed work, mileage, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket costs.
  • Consider a local attorney consult to confirm deadlines and options.

Local Links & Resources

Sources

Disclaimer: General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary. Talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.