How to File a Car Accident Claim in Houston, Texas w. Hank Stout

What you do after a Houston car accident decides what your claim is worth under Texas law. Hank Stout of Sutliff & Stout walks Abby Arnold through scene steps, the 51% rule, deadlines, and rideshare and 18-wheeler claims. Questions answered in this episode: What should you do immediately after a Houston car accident? What is Texas's 51% rule for comparative fault? What are Texas's $30K/$60K minimum auto insurance limits? How long do you have to file a Texas car accident lawsuit? What damages can you recover in a Texas car accident claim? How do ride share and 18-wheeler claims differ in Houston? Topics covered: Texas modified proportionate responsibility and the 51% bar, $30K/$60K minimum liability, UM/UIM, PIP, recorded statements, premature releases, dash cam evidence, the two-year statute of limitations, tolling for minors, the discovery rule, governmental notice, economic and non-economic damages, exemplary damages, contingency fees, Harris County trial timelines, rideshare liability, and 18-wheeler claims. Texas statutes referenced: TX CPRC § 33.001 (proportionate responsibility, 51% bar), § 16.003 (two-year statute of limitations), TX Transportation Code § 601.072 (minimum $30K/$60K liability), and TX Insurance Code Chapter 1952 (PIP). Hank Stout on Texas's 51% rule: "Texas is a modified proportionate responsibility, meaning that if you're at fault greater than 51%, then you do not recover anything. Whereas if you're only 49% responsible, then you can recover the 51% of damages that you aren't responsible." Hank Stout on Harris County trial timelines: "It takes three to four years to get to trial in Harris County, and so the sooner you file your lawsuit and put yourself in line, the sooner you'll actually get a trial date." Hank Stout is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and co-founder of Sutliff & Stout. Texas Super Lawyers since 2012. Houston car accident, rideshare, and 18-wheeler cases handled on contingency.