Texas Negligence Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last updated December 20, 2022
Failing to exercise the degree of care expected of someone in order to minimize the risk of harm to another is considered "negligence," the legal basis for many personal injury cases. For example, you may be sued for negligence if a delivery person slips and falls on a patch of ice, sustaining an injury, on the way to your front door. In that case, the homeowner has a duty to maintain a relatively safe walkway on the homeowner's property.
This article provides a general overview of Texas negligence laws.
Negligence Laws Generally
State negligence laws are not that different from one state to the next, aside from how the law considers comparative and contributory negligence. For the most part, plaintiffs will have to demonstrate to the court that the five following elements are present:
- Duty: The defendant should have acted (or not acted) in a certain way, owing a "duty" to act (or not act). Motorists have a duty to pay attention to the road and not be distracted by cell phones or other stimuli.
- Breach of Duty: Defendant failed to do something (or refrain from doing something) that is considered his or her duty. For example, a motorist who was reading text messages and hit a pedestrian has breached his/her duty to pay attention to the road.
- Cause in Fact: The injury was "in fact" caused by the defendant's breach of duty. For example, the pedestrian would not have been struck and injured had the motorist who hit him been paying attention.
- Proximate Cause: Was it obvious to a reasonable person that texting while driving could result in someone's injury? The negligence must be sufficiently related to the injuries/damages sustained.
- Damages: There must be actual harm to the plaintiff that the system is capable of compensating him or her for.
Texas Negligence Laws
The basic provisions of Texas negligence laws are listed in the table below. See Negligence: Background for a general overview.
Code Sections |
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code: |
|---|---|
Comparative Negligence |
Texas uses a modified form of comparative negligence (also known as "proportionate responsibility" in Texas). This means that if you are found partially at fault for the injury, then your damages can be reduced. |
Contributory Negligence-Limit to Plaintiff's Recovery |
Plaintiff may not recover damages if their percentage of fault is found to be greater than 50% |
Contribution Among Tortfeasors |
Yes |
Uniform Act |
No |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
- Texas Law
- Official State Codes -- Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and D.C.
Texas Negligence Laws: Related Resources
Get an Attorney's Help with Texas Negligence Laws
Texas laws on negligence often depend on the type of claim involved. If you've been harmed in Texas and you feel you may be entitled to compensation, you may want to speak to a Texas attorney who understands Texas' rules on contributory negligence.
For help with Texas negligence laws, you may contact a Texas injury attorney near you right away.
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Contact a qualified attorney.