This section defines what counts as a judgment and when a judgment is treated as satisfied for this chapter.
Sec. 601.003. JUDGMENT; SATISFIED JUDGMENT. (a) For purposes of this chapter, judgment refers only to a final judgment that is no longer appealable or has been finally affirmed on appeal and that was rendered by a court of any state, a province of Canada, or the United States on a cause of action: (1) for damages for bodily injury, death, or damage to or destruction of property arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle; or (2) on an agreement of settlement for damages for bodily injury, death, or damage to or destruction of property arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle. (b) For purposes of this chapter, a judgment is considered to be satisfied as to the appropriate part of the judgment set out by this subsection if: (1) the total amount credited on one or more judgments for bodily injury to or death of one person resulting from one collision equals or exceeds the amount required under Section 601.072(a-1)(1) to establish financial responsibility; (2) the total amount credited on one or more judgments for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons resulting from one collision equals or exceeds the amount required under Section 601.072(a-1)(2) to establish financial responsibility; or (3) the total amount credited on one or more judgments for damage to or destruction of property of another resulting from one collision equals or exceeds the amount required under Section 601.072(a-1)(3) to establish financial responsibility. (c) In determining whether a judgment is satisfied under Subsection (b), a payment made in settlement of a claim for damages for bodily injury, death, or damage to or destruction of property is considered to be an amount credited on a judgment. (d) For purposes of this section: (1) damages for bodily injury or death include damages for care and loss of services; and (2) damages for damage to or destruction of property include damages for loss of use. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 709 (H.B. 2190), Sec. 63, eff. September 1, 2023.