1. Carabin Shaw
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation with emphasis on catastrophic injuries and workplace accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace injuries, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, premises liability
Background: Jamie Shaw founded the firm with licensure to practice in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado. The firm maintains a main office in San Antonio and branch offices throughout the region. Their approach prioritizes client service with direct attorney access and a “Clients First” philosophy.
Location: San Antonio, Texas (Main Office)
Contact: 800-862-1260 | https://www.carabinshaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. No win, no fee guarantee.
2. George Salinas Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Personal injury cases with extensive trial experience and insurance industry knowledge
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall cases, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has over 110 years of combined legal experience among its attorneys. Many attorneys on the team began their careers representing insurance companies before transitioning to plaintiff-side work. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for clients across San Antonio.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Contact: (210) 225-0909 | https://www.salinastriallaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
3. The Herrera Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation with community-focused representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, work injuries, catastrophic injury cases
Background: Frank Herrera Jr. founded the firm over 35 years ago. The firm is now a family operation with sons Jorge and Javier also practicing as attorneys. Frank Herrera Jr. grew up in a small Texas town as the son of a mechanic and migrant worker.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Contact: https://www.herreralaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
4. Dilley Law Firm
Focus Area: Catastrophic injury cases including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and severe burns
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, oilfield incidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, mass torts
Background: The firm has been handling personal injury claims for more than 50 years since 1969. The firm regularly collaborates with industry professionals to support complex cases. Attorneys include Miguel E. Dilley and Douglas E. Dilley.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Contact: https://www.dilleylawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee basis.
5. Wyatt Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal injury cases with emphasis on standing up against insurance company tactics
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, oilfield and offshore rig accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, Uber and Lyft accidents
Background: The firm has nearly 40 years of experience representing accident victims in the San Antonio area. The team handles approximately 40,000 car accidents that occur in the San Antonio area annually. The firm offers discounts to military personnel and first responders.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Contact: https://www.wyattlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
Personal Injury Laws in Texas
Statute of Limitations
Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. The clock begins on the date of injury. Missing this deadline typically bars any future claim regardless of injury severity.
Exceptions include:
The statute is tolled for minors until they reach age 18. For medical malpractice involving children under 12, claims must be filed by their 14th birthday. Sexual abuse cases have a 30-year statute of limitations from the date of incident.
If the defendant leaves Texas after the injury but before a lawsuit is filed, the statute is paused until they return.
Wrongful death claims have a two-year deadline that begins on the date of death, not the date of original injury.
Negligence Rules
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. An injured party can recover damages only if their percentage of fault is 50% or less. If found 51% or more at fault, recovery is completely barred.
Compensation is reduced proportionally by the percentage of fault assigned. For example, if damages total $100,000 and the injured party is found 25% at fault, recovery is limited to $75,000.
Damage Caps
Texas imposes damage caps in specific circumstances:
Medical malpractice cases have caps on non-economic damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 74.301. Caps vary depending on whether claims are against individual physicians, hospitals, or both.
Government liability claims under the Texas Tort Claims Act are capped at $250,000 per injured person and $500,000 per incident for most claims against the State of Texas.
Punitive damages are limited under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.008.
There is no universal cap on general personal injury damages in Texas.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident bears financial responsibility for resulting damages.
Minimum liability insurance requirements are 30/60/25:
$30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident, $25,000 property damage per accident
Texas law requires every insurance provider to offer at least $2,500 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), though drivers may reject this coverage in writing.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is optional but recommended given an estimated 8% of Texas drivers operate without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the two-year deadline work if my injury symptoms appeared months after the accident?
Texas recognizes a discovery rule in certain cases where injuries are not immediately apparent. The statute of limitations may begin when you discover the injury rather than the accident date. This is particularly relevant in medical malpractice cases where complications emerge later. However, courts apply this rule narrowly, so documenting the date you first became aware of symptoms is important for preserving your claim.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my San Antonio car accident?
Texas allows recovery if your fault percentage is 50% or below. Your compensation decreases by your fault percentage. If you were 30% responsible for a collision, you receive 70% of your total damages. At 51% fault or higher, Texas law bars any recovery. Insurance adjusters frequently argue shared fault to reduce settlements, so evidence preservation matters significantly.
What happens if the driver who hit me only has the Texas minimum insurance coverage?
Texas minimum coverage of $30,000 per person may not cover serious injuries. If the at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient, you may file against your own underinsured motorist policy if you carry that coverage. Alternatively, you can pursue a personal lawsuit against the at-fault driver directly, though collecting on a judgment depends on their assets.
My employer says I cannot sue for my workplace injury because of workers’ compensation. Is this always true?
Workers’ compensation typically provides the exclusive remedy against employers for workplace injuries in Texas. However, third-party claims remain possible. If defective equipment, a negligent subcontractor, or another non-employer party contributed to your injury, you may pursue a separate personal injury claim against them while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Do I need to report a San Antonio accident to the police to pursue a personal injury claim?
Texas law requires accident reports when injuries or significant property damage occur. While not filing a police report does not automatically bar a claim, having an official report strengthens your case. It provides documentation of the accident scene, witness information, and an officer’s observations. Insurance companies may question claims without police reports.