Personal Injury in Houston
Personal injury is broad — Houston clients come to us with everything from rideshare crashes to oilfield burns to defective product injuries. What unites them: someone's negligence caused harm, and Texas law has a clear framework for holding that person (or their insurer, or their employer) accountable.
Texas law that governs personal injury cases
Personal injury in Houston
Harris County logged 115,173 reportable crashes in 2024 — more than double every other Texas county and the highest-volume personal injury venue in the state. With 26 Fortune 500 headquarters (the 3rd-most in the US, including 14 Fortune 500 energy companies), Houston's at-fault defendants frequently include major corporations with substantial insurance programs. Approximately 44% of Houston's population — roughly 1.03 million people — identify as Hispanic or Latino, making Spanish-language representation a practical necessity for a large share of personal injury claimants and witnesses. Newman Injury Law handles cases in both English and Spanish.
Houston is also home to an unusually dense network of governmental entities — City of Houston, Harris County, TxDOT, Metro Transit, Houston ISD, Harris County Flood Control District — each of which can be a defendant under the Texas Tort Claims Act (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 101.001–101.109). A Metro bus crash, a flooded TxDOT underpass, a pothole on a city street: the responsible entity determines which notice deadline applies. For City of Houston claims, the City Charter requires written notice within 90 days (even shorter than the Tort Claims Act's six-month default) — far shorter than the standard two-year window — so identifying the right governmental defendant early is critical.
Where you're treated and where your case is filed both matter. Houston has two Level I adult trauma centers — Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center / Red Duke Trauma Institute (6411 Fannin St) and Ben Taub Hospital (Harris Health System, 1504 Taub Loop), both in the Texas Medical Center complex. The TMC is the largest medical complex in the world, handling over 10 million patient encounters a year. Houston-area cases are filed in Harris County's civil courts at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002. Harris County is the most litigated personal injury venue in Texas, with 115,173 reportable crashes and 579 traffic deaths recorded in 2024 alone — more crashes than any other county in the state by a factor of two.
What we investigate in a Houston personal injury case
- Harris County 2024: 115,173 reportable crashes — most of any US county, 2× next-highest Texas county
- 44.2% of Houston residents identify as Hispanic or Latino (~1.03M people) — Spanish-language representation essential
- 26 Fortune 500 HQs in Houston (3rd-most in US) — defendants typically carry substantial insurance programs
- Texas Tort Claims Act: TxDOT/state claims require 6-month notice; the City of Houston Charter requires notice in just 90 days — both far shorter than the standard two years
Common injuries we see in Houston
- Pedestrian and rideshare injuries
- Electric scooter injuries
- Boating and watercraft accidents
- Burn injuries (industrial / chemical)
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Product liability / defective product injuries
- Assault and battery (third-party premises)
- Brain and spinal cord injuries
Compensation we pursue
- Past and future medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement and disability
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Frequently asked questions for Houston clients
Do I have a Houston personal injury case?
If you were hurt by someone else's negligence, you likely have at least the makings of a case. Whether it's worth pursuing depends on injury severity, available insurance, fault percentages, and the statute of limitations. The honest answer is a 10-minute conversation. The consultation is free.
What if I'm partly at fault?
Texas follows modified comparative fault. If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover — your recovery is reduced by your share. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
How long will my Houston case take?
Simple claims with clear liability can resolve in 6–12 months. Complex cases involving litigation, depositions, and trial can take 18–36 months. We'll give you a realistic timeline at the consultation.
What if I was partly at fault for my Houston injury?
You can still recover in Texas as long as you were 50% or less at fault — your award is reduced by your percentage, but you collect it. Cross 51% and you recover nothing, which is exactly why insurers work hard to shift blame onto you. Harris County's high crash volume means claims adjusters here are experienced at fault-splitting; fighting that assignment early with preserved evidence and a clear liability narrative protects your recovery.
Do I need a Spanish-speaking Houston injury attorney?
If you or key witnesses are most comfortable in Spanish, yes — it affects every stage of the case. About 44% of Houston residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. Statements given through poor translation, misunderstood medical instructions, or insurance forms filled out in a language you don't control can all hurt your claim. Newman Injury Law handles cases in both English and Spanish.
Court venue for Houston cases
Personal injury cases arising in Houston are typically filed in Harris County (county seat: Houston), in the District Courts or County Courts at Law. We're familiar with the local procedures and carrier tendencies in this venue.
Getting from Houston to our Houston office
Our Galleria-area office is in the heart of Houston at 2401 Fountain View Dr, Suite 830 — minutes from downtown, the Medical Center, and the 610 Loop.
Newman Injury Law
2401 Fountain View Dr, Suite 830
Houston, TX 77057
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