Personal injury lawyers in San Antonio

Under Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, most Texas personal injury suits must be filed no later than two years after the claim accrues, and wrongful death suits within two years of the death. For someone injured before age 18, the years spent as a minor generally don't count toward that period. Health care claims follow a separate rule: a child under 12 has until age 14.

The Bexar County District Clerk's Civil Operations Division takes new suits for the county's district courts at the Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva, Suite 217, San Antonio, TX 78205 (210-335-2113). Your lawyer files there, but knowing the court lets you look up your own case later.

Injury claims against the City of San Antonio

The Texas Tort Claims Act entitles a governmental unit to notice of a claim within six months of the incident, and it ratifies city charter notice periods, so a city's own deadline may differ. In a Tort Claims Act claim against a city, damages are capped at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury or death. If a city vehicle, bus stop or sidewalk is involved, raise the notice question at your first consultation.

Medical injury claims in Texas

A health care liability claim needs written notice by certified mail at least 60 days before suit, generally must be filed within two years, and has an absolute 10-year limit. In those claims, noneconomic damages against physicians and providers are capped at $250,000 per claimant. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours with a licensed Texas lawyer.

If an injury lawyer offers a contingent fee, Texas requires that contract to be in writing and signed by both you and the lawyer, and the ethics rules say it must state how the fee is calculated, any different percentage for settlement, trial or appeal, and which expenses come out and when. An ad that offers contingent fees must say whether you'll owe other costs, such as litigation expenses. Read the expenses clause as closely as the percentage.

For hourly work, the State Bar's 2025 survey put the median rate for full-time private practitioners at $368 statewide and $332 in the San Antonio metro. Ask each lawyer for the rate in writing. Shared fault matters too: under Texas proportionate responsibility law, a claimant found more than 50 percent responsible recovers nothing, and anyone less than that has damages cut by their own share. The Texas-wide guide is on our lawyers hub.

State Bar lookups for San Antonio lawyers

The State Bar of Texas's Find a Lawyer directory lists every licensed Texas attorney and lets you see a lawyer's disciplinary history. You can filter it by board certification, which includes Personal Injury Trial Law. A lawyer may advertise as Board Certified only if the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, or a body it accredits, has certified them in that area.

Solicitation after a San Antonio crash

Texas generally bars lawyers, chiropractors and certain others from sending written injury or wrongful death solicitations about an accident before the 31st day after it. Barratry, such as soliciting clients in person or by phone or paying someone to do it, is a third-degree felony. A client whose contract came from barratry can void it and recover fees paid plus a $10,000 penalty. A contract obtained through barratry can be voided; note who contacted you and when, and ask a licensed Texas lawyer whether the contact broke the rules.

Referral services in San Antonio

The San Antonio Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service has operated since 1966. The State Bar's statewide line, (800) 252-9690, directs Bexar County callers to their local certified service; elsewhere it arranges a consultation of up to 30 minutes for no more than $20. TexasLawHelp.org has free self-help guides and a legal aid directory.

This page explains how the rules work; it isn't legal advice, and no lawyer can promise an outcome. Confirm deadlines and fees with a licensed Texas lawyer. For local context see the San Antonio guide, and for the Hill Country see attorneys in Boerne. How the list above is ordered is explained in our terms of service.