# Texas Stock Laws: What You Need to Know in the Event of an Accident | Attorney Brian White ![Texas Stock Laws: What You Need to Know in the Event of an Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Texas-Stock-Laws-What-You-Need-to-Know-in-the-Event-of-an-Accident-300x200.jpg) Every year, hundreds of Americans are [injured in car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/). While most car accidents involve crashes with other motor vehicles, there is a surprising number of accidents that involve animals, especially in [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/). Roughly 253,000 [animal-involved accidents](https://www.hcn.org/issues/issue-291/roadkill-statistics/) happen annually. A collision involving an animal can cause extensive damage to the car, severe injuries to the passengers, and in some cases, death. Each year, there are about 200 fatalities as a result of animal-related collisions. The question is, who is responsible when a person is injured or killed in an animal-related accident? The answer is not as simple as you may think. ## Texas State Stock Laws Car accident liability laws vary widely from state to state, and even more so when the accident pertains to animals. The state of Texas has several laws in place [governing the liability](https://tscra.org/what-we-do/theft-and-law/livestock-laws/) of these types of accidents. Because there are so many farms in Texas, the state enacted “open range” and “closed range” laws. If a county has not made a formal decision on the matter, the open range law automatically applies. This law states that property owners must build and maintain fences keeping other livestock off their property, but they do not need to fence in their own. Livestock are not permitted to roam unattended along federal or state highways. A closed range law means that all livestock owners are required to fence in their animals. These two laws vary by county and [dictate liability if an accident occurs](https://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/2014/05/25/texas-fence-law-open-range-or-not-part-2/). So, for example, if a horse or cow grazes in a pasture by the roadway and is struck by a car, resulting in damage, there are a few instances where the owner may be held liable. For example: - If the accident occurred on a non-state or non-federal road, and the county did not have a specific stock law in place, the open range law would apply. Therefore, the livestock owner would not be held liable for damages. In this case, you would need to go through your insurance to recover damages. - If the accident occurred on a non-state or non-federal road, and the country did have closed range stock laws in place, there may be a case for liability. Stock laws differ between counties, but in general, they require livestock owners to fence in their animals. Usually, the owner may be held liable if he or she permitted the animal to roam free or negligently allowed the animal to escape. For example, if the owner knew there was a sizable hole in the fence and did not repair it, and the straying animal caused damage, the owner would be held liable. - If the accident occurred on a federal or state highway, the animal owner may be held liable. If the owner knowingly permitted the animal to roam on the roadway, or if a broken fence was known about but not fixed, the owner could be held liable whether or not stock laws are in place. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Houston, TX Personal Injury Attorney Specializing in Stock Laws Car accidents resulting from a livestock-related collision can cause serious damage to vehicles and serious injuries to passengers. Although each situation is complex, pursuing legal action may be right for you. Speak with attorney [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) if you’ve been injured in this type of accident. You may be able to receive compensation based on [property damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/property-damage/), medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Our firm is experienced in Houston, TX personal injury suits. We are well versed in the stock laws that govern property throughout the state, and we will tirelessly work to prove negligence and get the compensation you deserve. ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. 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One important part is excluded drivers. An excluded driver is [![Pros and Cons of Uninsured Motorist Coverage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pros-and-Cons-of-Uninsured-Motorist-Coverage-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninsured-motorist-coverage/) [Pros and Cons of Uninsured Motorist Coverage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninsured-motorist-coverage/) Uninsured motorist insurance (UM) is one of the most popular optional forms of car accident insurance, and for [![The Most Dangerous Intersections in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Most-Dangerous-Intersections-in-Houston-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-most-dangerous-intersections-in-houston/) [The Most Dangerous Intersections in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-most-dangerous-intersections-in-houston/) A recent project completed by a group of University of Houston students and faculty shows which intersections in [![Houston DUI Checkpoints](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Houston-DUI-Checkpoints-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-dui-checkpoints/) [Houston DUI Checkpoints](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/houston-dui-checkpoints/) It’s common in many states for the police to set up DUI checkpoints. These are usually placed in high-volume areas --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/texas-stock-laws-what-you-need-to-know-in-the-event-of-an-accident/