Hiring a Personal Injury or Car Accident Lawyer in Texas
What an injury lawyer costs in Texas and how they usually charge, the deadlines and fault rules to know before you call, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Texas: fee rules
Rules on contingency fees
Under Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 1.04(d), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is determined; if the percentage differs for settlement, trial or appeal, each percentage must be stated. The agreement must state the litigation and other expenses to be deducted from the recovery and whether they are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give the client a written statement describing the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.04(e) bars contingent fees for defending a criminal case. Rule 1.04(a) prohibits illegal or unconscionable fees.
The State Bar of Texas's Client-Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP), a confidential statewide dispute resolution service, helps clients and lawyers resolve minor disagreements and can help you communicate with your attorney about a fee, but it cannot recover fees or refunds. If you believe a fee is unjust or unsupported by the fee agreement or work performed, the bar advises filing a grievance; CAAP and the grievance process cannot be used at the same time. CAAP staff answer 1-800-932-1900.
The State Bar of Texas Client Security Fund generally requires a grievance that results in findings that the lawyer stole the client's money or failed to refund an unearned fee, unless the lawyer is already disbarred, resigned in lieu of discipline or deceased, plus proof of the loss. Apply online within 18 months after the date of the disciplinary judgment.
Modified comparative fault (51% bar), called proportionate responsibility. A claimant whose percentage of responsibility is greater than 50% cannot recover. Otherwise, the claimant's damages are reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
No general cap on compensatory damages in ordinary personal injury cases was found. Caps apply in health care liability claims, to exemplary (punitive) damages, and to claims against government units under the Tort Claims Act.
The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) helps you find a lawyer or other resource matched to your legal needs and financial means; staff cannot give legal advice. For Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Jefferson, Travis and Tarrant Counties, use the local certified lawyer referral service listed by the State Bar. For all other counties, call (800) 252-9690 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CST; Spanish spoken) or use the online referral. After the referral, you call to make an appointment; the lawyer provides up to a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20. LRIS has no participating attorneys who offer free or reduced-fee help, and fees after the consultation are set between you and the lawyer.
The State Bar of Texas's online membership directory (Find a Lawyer) provides basic information about attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. The bar notes the information is provided as is, without warranty, and that the directory is not a certified lawyer referral service.
Grievances against Texas lawyers go to the State Bar of Texas Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Complete the current grievance form (effective October 1, 2025) through the bar's online submission system, or mail or fax it to State Bar of Texas, Chief Disciplinary Counsel's Office, P.O. Box 13287, Austin, Texas 78711 (fax 512-427-4315); outdated or incomplete forms are rejected, and supporting documents should be copies. Within 30 days the Chief Disciplinary Counsel classifies the grievance as an Inquiry (dismissed) or a Complaint (investigated, with the attorney asked to respond). A dismissed grievance can be amended and re-filed within 20 days of the dismissal notice, and dismissals can be appealed to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Grievance Information Helpline: 1-800-932-1900.
Free civil legal aid for low-income Texans is provided by regional legal aid programs. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists three Texas grantees: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. The State Bar's LRIS page also links a self-service tool for finding free or reduced-fee legal resources by county.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.