Katy Car Accident Lawyer
Maida Law Firm represents drivers and passengers hurt in car crashes in Katy, Texas, from our Houston office on the Southwest Freeway. TxDOT recorded 1,171 crashes inside the City of Katy in 2025, up from 947 in 2023, and a Katy crash can belong to Harris, Fort Bend or Waller County depending on the exact spot. You have two years to sue under § 16.003(a) of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
Call (713) 785-9484 for a free review of your Katy car accident. We work on a contingency fee: nothing is owed unless we recover for you.
The short version
- TxDOT counted 1,171 crashes inside the City of Katy in 2025, up from 947 in 2023: 3 fatal and 15 with a suspected serious injury (TxDOT city tables, 2023–2025).
- Katy spans Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties. The county where the crash happened usually decides the courthouse, and city limits decide which police agency writes the report (§ 550.026(a)).
- The other driver may carry only $30,000 per person (§ 601.072). Your own UM/UIM coverage is in the policy unless it was rejected in writing (§ 1952.101(c)).
- You can recover if your share of fault is 50% or less (§ 33.001); the outer deadline to sue is two years (§ 16.003(a)).
- We represent Katy clients from our Houston office; there is no Katy branch. Free consultation, contingency fee.
How many car crashes happen in Katy each year?
TxDOT counted 1,171 reportable crashes inside the City of Katy in 2025, 1,092 in 2024 and 947 in 2023, a rise of about 24 percent in two years. In 2025, 3 of those crashes were fatal and 15 caused a suspected serious injury; 991 were recorded as non-injury crashes. The counts come from TxDOT’s Crashes and Injuries by City tables.
Those figures cover only crashes located inside Katy’s city limits (TxDOT, Crashes and Injuries — Cities and Towns, 2025; 2024; 2023; read October 27, 2026, totals re-added October 28, 2026). A large share of the homes and shopping centers people call Katy sit outside those limits in unincorporated Harris or Fort Bend County, and a crash there is not part of the city count. On June 19, 2026, a Tesla left the roadway on Rose Hollow Lane near Park Brush Lane, in the Katy area of Harris County, and struck a house, killing a 76-year-old woman inside. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Precinct 5 Constable’s Office investigated, not a city police department (ABC13, June 21, 2026).
Intersection crashes on Katy’s arterial roads are a recurring pattern. In July 2023, a three-vehicle crash at Fry Road and Morton sent an 8-year-old boy and a man in his 30s to trauma centers; Harris County deputies said they believed one vehicle ran a red light (FOX 26 Houston, July 2, 2023). On cases like that one, signal timing and nearby business cameras often decide who had the green light.
What does a Katy car accident lawyer do that an insurance claim alone does not?
A lawyer finds out which agency wrote the crash report, which county the case belongs in, and how much insurance actually stands behind the other driver. Texas requires only $30,000 per injured person in liability coverage under § 601.072, so a serious Katy injury often depends on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as well.
Getting the right report. Texas law sends the first call to a different agency depending on where the crash happened: the local police department inside a city, the police or the sheriff within 100 feet of city limits, and the sheriff’s office or the nearest Department of Public Safety office everywhere else (Transportation Code § 550.026(a)). In Katy, with city limits, unincorporated neighborhoods and three counties side by side, that decides who has your report. An officer must file a written report when a crash causes injury, death or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more, within 10 days (§ 550.062), and a person involved in the crash is entitled to a copy on written request (§ 550.065(c)).
Finding every policy. The minimum liability limits are $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for two or more people and $25,000 for property damage (Transportation Code § 601.072(a-1)). Every Texas auto policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage unless a named insured rejected it in writing (Insurance Code § 1952.101(c)), so we ask for the declarations page and any written rejection before assuming the coverage is not there.
Protecting the claim from fault arguments. Texas bars recovery when your share of responsibility is greater than 50 percent (Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001), so an adjuster’s suggestion that you were partly to blame is a negotiating position, not a finding. The outer deadline to sue is two years from the crash (§ 16.003(a)); shorter notice deadlines can apply when a government vehicle or road is involved.
For crashes with an 18-wheeler on I-10 or the Grand Parkway, see our Katy 18-wheeler and truck accident page. For injuries that did not happen on the road, our Katy personal injury page covers the wider range of claims, and the Houston car accident page covers how we handle car cases across the region. If the other driver had no insurance, our guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in Texas explains how that coverage works.
Katy Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a car cannot be driven. Texas law requires an immediate report of a crash with an injury, a death or a vehicle that cannot be safely driven (Transportation Code § 550.026(a)). Inside the City of Katy that goes to the city police; in unincorporated areas it goes to the county sheriff’s office or the nearest DPS office.
Ask the agency that responded, and check the officer’s card or the case number you were given at the scene. The officer has 10 days to file the report with TxDOT (§ 550.062(b)), and anyone involved in the crash, or that person’s authorized representative, is entitled to a copy on written request and payment of the fee (§ 550.065(c)).
Only if the crash or the defendant belongs to Harris County. Harris County cases go to the Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline St, Houston. Fort Bend County cases go to the Fort Bend County Justice Center in Richmond, and Waller County cases to the Waller County Courthouse in Hempstead.
Then the at-fault driver’s policy may stop at $30,000 for your injuries (Transportation Code § 601.072). Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can pay the difference, and it is part of every Texas auto policy unless a named insured rejected it in writing (Insurance Code § 1952.101(c)).
Yes, as long as your share is 50 percent or less. Under Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 you cannot recover if your percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent, and below that line your damages are reduced by your percentage (§ 33.012(a)).
Generally two years from the day of the crash, under § 16.003(a) of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Claims involving a government vehicle or road can require written notice much sooner, so the safe course is to ask early.
No. Maida Law Firm has one office, at 8313 Southwest Fwy Ste 102 in Houston, and represents Katy clients from there. We can start your case by phone at (713) 785-9484.
Nothing up front. The consultation is free and we work on a contingency fee, so no fee is owed unless we recover for you. The percentage is set out in a written agreement before you sign.
Hurt in a Car Crash in Katy?
Tell us where the crash happened and who responded, and we will tell you which agency has the report, which county the claim belongs in and what insurance stands behind it. Call (713) 785-9484 for a free consultation.
Katy car accident claims: key facts
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Law firm | Maida Law Firm — Houston personal-injury firm |
| Practice on this page | Houston Car Accident Claims |
| Area served | Katy, Texas — served from the Houston office; the firm has no Katy office |
| Office | 8313 Southwest Fwy Ste 102, Houston, TX 77074 · (713) 785-9484 |
| Author | Sam A. Maida, Jr. — Texas Bar No. 00787950 |
| Reviewer | Bernard G. Johnson III — Texas Bar No. 00796832 |
| Consultation and fee | Free Consultation; Contingency Fee — no attorney’s fee unless there is a recovery |
| Google rating | 4.9 stars from 368 reviews (Google, 21 September 2026) |
| Deadline to file | Two years from the day the cause of action accrues — Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a) |
How many crashes does TxDOT record in the City of Katy?
TxDOT recorded 1,171 crashes inside the City of Katy in 2025, 1,092 in 2024 and 947 in 2023. Fatal crashes were 3, 0 and 4 in those years, and crashes with a suspected serious injury rose from 9 to 15. The table counts only crashes located inside city limits, not the unincorporated Katy area.
| Year | Total crashes | Fatal crashes (deaths) | Suspected serious injury crashes | Suspected minor injury crashes | Possible injury crashes | Non-injury crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,171 | 3 (3) | ||||
| 2024 | 1,092 | 0 (0) | ||||
| 2023 | 947 | 4 (4) |
Which agency takes the report, and which courthouse hears a Katy crash case?
Texas law sends the crash report to the city police inside a city and to the sheriff or the nearest DPS office outside one (§ 550.026(a)). A lawsuit is usually filed in the county where the crash happened. In Katy that can be any of three counties, each with its own courthouse.
| Where the crash happened | Report goes to (§ 550.026(a)) | Courthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the City of Katy | Local police department | Depends on the county the location is in |
| Unincorporated Harris County (Katy area) | Sheriff's office or nearest DPS office | Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline St, Houston |
| Unincorporated Fort Bend County (Katy area) | Sheriff's office or nearest DPS office | Fort Bend County Justice Center, 1422 Eugene Heimann Cir, Richmond |
| Waller County (western Katy area) | Sheriff's office or nearest DPS office | Waller County Courthouse, Hempstead |
Source: Texas Transportation Code § 550.026(a) (read October 28, 2026)
Questions people ask after a Katy crash
Tap a question to open it.
Why did the Katy crash count rise between 2023 and 2025?
TxDOT's city tables show the count but not the reason, so we do not claim one. What the tables do show is that the growth came almost entirely from non-injury crashes, which went from 787 to 991, while crashes with a suspected serious injury rose from 9 to 15. A rising non-injury count still means more claims over vehicle damage, rental cars and soft-tissue injuries that surface days later.
Does a crash on a Katy mailing address count as a crash in Katy?
Not in TxDOT's city table, which counts crashes located inside the City of Katy. Many neighborhoods with a Katy address are in unincorporated Harris or Fort Bend County. That also changes who investigates: the June 2026 Rose Hollow Lane crash was handled by the Harris County Sheriff's Office and the Precinct 5 Constable's Office, as ABC13 reported on June 21, 2026.
What happens if a driver says the car was on a driver-assistance system?
The driver is still the one who answers for how the car was driven, and the claim against that driver's insurance proceeds the usual way. The statement does add evidence to preserve: the vehicle's stored data and the manufacturer's records. Whether a product claim against the manufacturer also exists is a separate question that turns on that data, so the vehicle should not be repaired or scrapped before it is downloaded.
Who pays my medical bills right after a Katy crash?
Usually your own coverage first. Texas auto policies include personal injury protection unless a named insured rejected it in writing (Insurance Code § 1952.152(b)), and those benefits are payable without regard to fault (Chapter 1952, Subchapter C); health insurance can pay as well. The at-fault driver's liability insurer generally pays once, at settlement, not bill by bill. Keep every bill and explanation of benefits, because the amounts actually paid are what the claim is built on.
How is fault shown at a red-light crash on a Katy arterial?
With records that do not depend on either driver's memory: the signal timing plan from the agency that runs the light, camera footage from nearby businesses, the vehicles' event data, and the physical damage pattern. Business cameras often overwrite within days, so a written request to keep the footage should go out the same week.
When should I talk to a lawyer after a Katy car accident?
Before you give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer and before the vehicles are repaired. Neither step can be undone, and both are where claims are most often weakened. The consultation is free, so asking early costs nothing.
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★★★★★
Maida law firm was great. They have amazing communication. The staff was also very friendly and professional. The process was fast and they are very reliable. I will definitely be recommending them to all my friends and family. Thank you so much Maida Law Firm.
Reviews are the opinions of the clients who wrote them. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case.
Related claims we handle
Video: Maida Law Firm: Personal Injury Lawyers in Houston, TX
An introduction to Maida Law Firm, the Houston personal injury firm Sam A. Maida, Jr. founded in 1993. Watch on YouTube
Where we are in Houston
Maida Law Firm
8313 Southwest Fwy Ste 102, Houston, TX 77074
We are on the Southwest Freeway, minutes from the 610 Loop and Sharpstown, and we see clients from across Harris County.
Read our 368 Google reviews (4.9 out of 5) · View our Google Business Profile
About the authors
Sam A. Maida, Jr.
Owner and Managing Attorney
Sam A. Maida, Jr. has represented injured Texans in the greater Houston area since the firm opened in 1993.
State Bar of TexasAvvoMartindale-HubbellLawLinkThatCarHitMeLinkedIn
Bernard G. Johnson III
Litigation Managing Attorney
Bernard G. Johnson III is a board certified trial lawyer licensed in Texas since 1996 and a graduate of South Texas College of Law.
Areas We Serve
Maida Law Firm has represented injured Texans across the greater Houston area since 1993. Beyond Katy, we handle cases in:
- Baytown — ExxonMobil refinery workers, Houston Ship Channel mariners, and accident victims.
- Galveston — Jones Act, cruise injury, Longshore Act, and offshore platform claims.
- Pasadena — Refinery, petrochemical, workplace, and auto accident claims.
- Sugar Land — Serving Sugar Land and Fort Bend County.
- The Woodlands — Serving The Woodlands and Montgomery County, including auto, truck, and wrongful death claims.
Serving Katy from our Houston office
Maida Law Firm
8313 Southwest Fwy Ste 102, Houston, TX 77074
We take Katy cases from this Houston office. There is no Katy branch — the consultation is free, and nothing is owed unless we recover for you.
Which court handles a Katy injury case?
Katy lies in parts of 3 counties — Harris, Fort Bend and Waller. A Texas injury suit is normally filed in the county where the crash or incident happened or where the defendant lives, so the courthouse that handles your case depends on which side of the county line you were on.
| County | Courthouse | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County | Harris County Civil Courthouse | 201 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77002 |
| Fort Bend County | Fort Bend County Justice Center | 1422 Eugene Heimann Cir, Richmond, TX 77469 |
| Waller County | Waller County Courthouse | 400 Sheriff R Glenn Smith Dr, Hempstead, TX 77445 |
Texas injury deadlines and limits at a glance
| Question | Texas rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline to file most injury lawsuits | Two years from the day the cause of action accrues. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a) |
| Deadline when an injury causes death | Two years, running from the date of death. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(b) |
| If you were partly at fault | You recover nothing if your share of responsibility is greater than 50 percent. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001 |
| Claim against a city, county or state agency | The governmental unit must receive notice within six months of the incident — and a city charter may require notice sooner. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101 |
| Cap on exemplary (punitive) damages | The greater of $200,000, or twice economic damages plus noneconomic damages up to $750,000. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.008(b) |
| Cap on noneconomic damages against a physician or provider | $250,000 per claimant on a health care liability claim. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.301(a) |
Where a Katy case is filed
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77002
Katy sits in Harris County and 2 more — see the table above, so this is normally where a suit arising there is filed.
Deadlines are shorter than most people expect, and some are shorter than the two years above. The figures here are the general statutory rules, verified against the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and are general information — not legal advice about your case. Ask a lawyer about your own deadline before you rely on any of it.