Being injured in a car accident in Austin is a scary situation for anyone. The car you use to take you to and from work, and which you depend on for your livelihood is damaged or totaled. Often you are hurting or wondering if you might be injured and just do not know it yet, at least until the adrenaline wears off.
If you are injured, you are watching medical bills add up while you’re missing work, and wondering how you are going to pay for everything. On top of all that, there is the scary and unknown process of dealing with insurance companies who are not on your side.
Let Thompson Law’s Austin car accident lawyers help guide you through this difficult period in your life. If you have been injured in an car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Austin due to the negligence of another person, Texas law entitles you to compensation. Call Thompson Law and let us help you determine what your auto accident claim is worth.
The rapid growth Austin has experienced recently has led to more traffic, and consequently more auto accidents. Further, Austin is a popular destination spot for tourists, adding to further congestion within the city. A variety of groups track car accident data in Austin, including:
In terms of motor vehicle crashes, 2022 was even more dangerous in Austin with 12,768 total crashes leading to:
Only Houston (2,355 crashes) and San Antonio (1,599 crashes) had more alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes than Austin in 2022. Austin had 1,183 total crashes involving intoxicated drivers that included:
In all of Travis County in 2022, there were 17,754 total crashes leading to:
Sources: Crashes and Injuries Cities and Towns; DUI (Alcohol) Crashes and Injuries Cities and Towns; Crashes and Injuries by County.
Austin experienced 12,768 motor vehicles collisions in 2022, a slight increase over the 12,433 motor vehicle collisions in 2021. The most common contributing factors to motor vehicle accidents in 2022 reported by the Austin Police Department were, in order of highest frequency:
Many of these car accidents in Austin occurred at a few dangerous intersections and on a handful of streets. The Vision Zero program and the Austin High-Injury Network (HIN) work with the city of Austin to identify streets and intersections linked with a high number of serious injury and fatal crashes.
Roughly 8% of streets in Austin were responsible for almost 70% of the non-highway serious injury and fatal crashes according to a High-Injury Network research. The City of Austin has developed plans to improve these high-injury roadways, but as a driver in Austin it is prudent to know these dangerous roadways. The 13 most dangerous roads in Austin are:
Further, we have mapped out the most dangerous intersections and streets in Austin below.
It is critical to your health and protection of your legal rights to know what to do after being in a car accident. Taking the proper steps will maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation for your damages. Below are 10 steps you should take after an accident:
It doesn’t matter whether you live in Austin a surrounding city like Round Rock or Bastrop, were a visitor to Austin for an event like SXSW, or were just passing through Austin on the way to San Antonio or San Marcos when your accident occurred – Thompson Law’s Austin car accident lawyers can help.
Our Austin car accident lawyers have also put together a visual guide to help you understand some things you should and should not do after a car accident. If you have just been in an accident, you can use this guide to help you through the immediate post-accident process.
If you have not been in an accident but want to be prepared for when you may be, you can save this guide to your phone for future reference.
What-Should-I-Do-After-a-Car-Accident-Dos-and-DontsIf you or a loved one has been in a car crash in Austin, call us today for a free consultation. Our attorneys will ask you some basic questions to understand the specific details of your crash and let you know how we can help. Once you have selected us to represent you, your personal injury lawyer will begin gathering evidence to prove fault and get the other driver’s insurance company to accept liability for the accident.
Some of the the steps our Austin car accident lawyers will take include:
While the laws in Texas do not cap or limit claims for your pain and suffering, it is important to properly build your case to prevent an insurance claim denial. Insurance companies may try to deny your injury claim using arguments such as: the injury was pre-existing and not caused by the accident, there was a gap in treatment after the accident so you cannot really be hurt, or the accident was your fault.
An Austin car accident lawyer can help you avoid these insurance company traps. Thompson Law can help ensure you get fair value for the physical pain you experienced, your lost wages, the property damage to your vehicle, your medical expenses, and other damages. Compensation for your injuries is your right, and our accident lawyers will do everything within our power to help you obtain maximum value for your settlement.
We provide car crash victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our Austin car accident lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, it is important to be aware of these common injuries. Recognizing and treating some of these injuries is easy, such as with a broken bone. However, other injuries – like head injuries and spine column injuries – can be less obvious, and may present in a delayed fashion days or weeks after an accident.
Early diagnosis and treatment can often mean the difference between full recovery and long-term complications. Below is a list of some of the injuries our Austin car accident lawyers commonly see in auto accidents, and resources you can use to see if your loved one may have one or more of these injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, call our Austin car accident lawyers today for a free case review.
The legal term for the compensation you may receive for your losses in a personal injury case is “damages”. These damages are divided into two categories – compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages may also be broken down into two parts – special compensatory damages (economic) and general compensatory damages (non-economic).
Special compensatory damages are compensation intended to compensate personal injury victims for their monetary expenses, the most common of which include:
General compensatory damages are meant to compensate for non-monetary damages, or harm “generally sustained due to an injury accident. The most common types of general compensatory damages include:
Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for their wrongful behavior and are intended to serve as a deterrent for future wrongdoing. To be awarded punitive damages, your attorney must prove that the defendant’s behavior was despicable or reprehensible.
This is a high standard to meet, and as a result, punitive damages are rarely awarded. However, when they are issued – such as in a drunk driving accident with severe injuries or death – they can be very costly for the defendant.
Consequently, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney to determine what type of damages may be available in your particular case. Call our Austin car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
The statute of limitations is two (2) years in Texas for personal injury claims related to auto accidents, meaning you must file a lawsuit within this timeframe after the date of the accident. In most cases you will be barred from filing a lawsuit if you do not do so by this deadline. While there are some exceptions to the two year rule, our Austin car accident lawyers want you to know that they are rarely applied.
Generally, you do not want to wait to file a personal injury claim because: 1) these exceptions are rarely used to extend the deadline, and 2) insurance companies tend to dispute that injuries were related to your accident the longer you wait. If you or a loved one have been injured due to another driver’s negligence, call our experienced Austin car accident lawyers today to ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner.
Thompson Law’s Austin car accident lawyers charge NO UPFRONT COSTS. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid out of a portion of your settlement. If for any reason we are unable to help, you will not owe us a penny.
If you have been injured in an accident, you need an Austin car accident lawyer with a strong history of results with awards and honors from their peers. Our Managing Partner, Ryan Thompson, is recognized as a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer, and is also a Lifetime Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help you with legal advice after a car accident. We can even get you signed up with one of our attorneys over the phone before the insurance companies try to reach out to you and fight your right to compensation. Our staff is fully bilingual in Spanish and English, and are standing by ready to help you get back on your feet after your accident.
Maybe you do not need an Austin car accident lawyer today. Still, it is a good idea to have the contact information for Thompson Law saved in your phone so you know who to call for advice on what to do after an accident. There are many ways lawyers can help after a car accident, and we stand ready to guide you through the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision.
Be aware the Texas statute of limitations limits the time to file a claim after an accident to 2 years from the date of accident in most cases. Call Thompson Law today for a FREE CASE EVALUATION. Take action now to protect your right to fair compensation after a car accident in Austin.
If you are injured in any type of accident, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention, even if you are not certain that you are injured. Seeking immediate medical treatment does two things: 1) it ensures injuries you sustained are diagnosed and treated; and, 2) it helps eliminate any doubt by the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the accident.
Often, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask symptoms of injuries, so making the mistake of skipping a medical examination can have profound consequences. By seeking prompt medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of your attorney.
If you were in a motor vehicle accident we have also detailed here what to do after a car accident.
A skilled personal injury lawyer is necessary to get full and fair compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident. Most defendants, whether individual drivers or commercial vehicle operators, are covered by liability insurance. Those insurance companies are not obligated to protect or take care of you. Insurance companies exist to protect the defendant (their customer) who caused the wreck.
A personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for every category of damages to which you are legally entitled. These damages can include things like: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain & suffering, punitive damages, loss of limb, diminished mental function, physical impairment, scarring or disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims). Further, you may be entitled to future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, and other damages in severe injury cases.
The largest factor affecting your claim’s value is the severity or magnitude of your injuries. More severe injuries typically require more medical treatment. So it is essential to have all your injuries documented properly by seeking immediate treatment with doctors or hospitals, and continuing under the care and direction of your doctors as long as necessary to heal. Without prompt and consistent medical treatment and documentation, an injury claim becomes very difficult to pursue, let alone win.
Of course, other factors an also have an impact, and each and every case is different. Were you injured in a commercial vehicle wreck or truck wreck that totaled your car, or was it a fender bender that did very little damage? Was the other driver intoxicated or drunk, or speeding? A multitude of factors may play into your claim’s overall likely value. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to visit with you and talk to you more specifically about factors which may affect your particular claim.
In Texas, you usually have two (2) years from the date of incident to file a personal injury claim before it is barred by the statute of limitations. There are exceptions to this 2-year time limit in Texas, for minors and others. Further, other states have different time limits, and the limit that applies is typically for the state in which the accident occurred.
The safest course of action for someone injured in a car wreck, truck wreck, slip and fall, or any other type of accident is to consult with a personal injury attorney. This will help ensure that you do not miss the applicable limitations period. Moreover, it will ensure the right investigations are conducted, and the proper steps are taken to preserve the evidence, photos, witness statements, and records needed to successfully pursue your claim.
If you are injured in a hit-and-run wreck (and are unable to locate the driver) or are hurt in a collision where the other driver does not have insurance, you are not necessarily out of options in terms of financial recovery. You may still be able to recover for your personal injuries if your own policy has Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company to confirm what types of coverage you have on your policy before an accident, but if you have been hit be sure to ask these questions before finalizing your claim request. Even if you do not have UM or PIP, the attorneys and investigators at Thompson Law can work to track down the other driver in a hit-and-run accident. To do this, we rely on witnesses who may have captured a photo of the car or license plate and/or available surveillance camera footage that might have captured the wreck.
Typical damages you can recover in a personal injury claim include: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and in some cases even punitive damages. In severe injury cases, other damages may be recoverable, such as: future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, loss of body member or mental function, physical impairment, disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims).
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage can help save the day if you are hit by an uninsured driver or if you are the victim in a hit-and-run collision. In short, UM coverage is an add-on coverage that drivers can add to their auto insurance policies that will protect them in the event that they are in an auto accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or cannot be located. You can contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes UM. If you do not have this coverage, the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law recommend that you consider adding UM to your auto insurance policy today.
Knowing how comparative negligence works is vital if you live in a state that uses it. In simple terms, comparative negligence implies both drivers can share fault for an accident, but one driver can be more at fault than the other. For example, you are texting while driving when another driver runs a stop sign and hits your car.
A jury finds that the driver who ran the stop sign is 80 percent at fault, but they believe you would have had a better chance of avoiding the accident if you were not texting at the time. They find you 20 percent at fault. You can only collect enough compensation to cover the other driver’s fault. In this case, you would get $8,000 if the jury thinks your case is worth $10,000.
Having the police respond to the accident scene is of paramount importance. Make sure that YOU call them and insist that they come and investigate the accident. When the police arrive, they will separate the drivers and witnesses from one another and take statements from everyone involved. Be cooperative, detailed, and firm in describing the accident. The investigating officer will usually determine fault based upon these statements, and it is essential that your version of the events is heard and believed. If you think that you may be injured, make that clear to the officer. If an ambulance or other medical professionals arrive on scene, get checked out. If not, make plans to visit an emergency room or doctor soon after you leave the scene. Before you do leave for this care, the officer will provide you with a report number and their contact information. Make sure this information is safely saved, as it will be very important in any auto accident injury claim you may have.
Call an attorney. Your first instinct might be to call your insurance company, but it’s best to seek legal council first so you don’t accidentally admit guilt or take responsibility for the accident. In many cases your attorney will call the insurance company for you to prevent that from happening.
Absolutely not. It’s important to leave the investigation to the professionals. They know exactly how to work a case to determine all of the facts and details.
In insurance terms, “totaled” or a “total loss” means that the cost to repair your vehicle to its pre-accident condition is more than the vehicle is worth. Each insurance company has a different threshold for determining if a vehicle is totaled, but generally, if it’s close, you want the insurance company to “total” your car. Following the determination that your car is a total loss, the insurance company will provide you with their assessment of the value of your car. An experienced auto accident attorney should review this estimate to make sure that you are truly receiving fair market value for your loss. You absolutely have the right to challenge their assessment, and a skilled attorney knows the best way to do so to maximize your recovery.
Typically, yes. If a family member is seriously injured or killed in an accident, or if the injured party is a minor child, then it may be appropriate under the law for a parent, spouse, relative, or legal guardian to file a claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured or deceased party. These types of claims are complex, and usually depend on the type of relationship involved, as well as the individual facts and circumstances of the injury. Calling the experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law is step one to explore filing a legal claim on behalf of your loved one.
Even if you are partially to blame for a car accident, you may be able to recover some of your damages from the other party. Under Texas’s proportionate responsibility system (also known as comparative negligence), unless you as the claimant/plaintiff are determined more than 51% at fault, you may recover legal damages that are reduced by the percentage you are determined at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages from the other responsible party (you can’t recover the other 30% because that was the amount of liability that was determined to lie with you). The personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law can help you navigate this proportionate responsibility system – so reach out online or call anytime for a free consultation.
If you or a family member are injured in an automobile accident, you cannot afford NOT to hire the very best attorney available. Thompson Law works on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you only pay legal fees IF we win for you and AFTER your case is settled. We understand that legal fees upfront are simply too much to deal with after a serious accident where you are dealing with property damage repairs, medical bills, missed work and lost wages. The fact that you owe $0 upfront is an added bonus when you hire great legal representation at Thompson Law.
If you were injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, there is a good chance we can help you out. We will look at the facts of your accident, whether a car wreck, truck wreck, motorcycle accident, or on-the-job-injury and examine whatever reports or records are available. If we believe that you were injured and it was someone else’s fault, it is likely to be a case we can take. The more information and documentation you can give us about your accident and your injuries, the quicker we can evaluate your case and let you know. Give us a call or reach out online anytime!
The best personal injury attorney has three major characteristics: Excellent customer service, cutting edge technology, and a willingness to take cases and win at trial. Ask your potential attorney about the client experience they offer, what kind of technology they use to make your life easier, and when was the last time they took a case to jury trial. Asking these types of questions will give you guidance on what kind of experience you can expect as a client and what kind of results you can expect at the end of your case.
Thompson Law has high ratings from clients for its emphasis on customer service, and its attorneys have achieved significant results on small, large, and complex cases alike. No matter if you have been involved in a minor car wreck or are dealing with catastrophic injuries from a rarer and more devastating event like a terrible workplace accident, dog bite, or an 18 wheeler wreck, Thompson Law can assist you.
Yes! Thompson Law is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free consultations. If you have been injured in a truck wreck or car accident, hurt in a slip and fall incident, or otherwise injured from the negligence of another person or party, give us a call any time at 1-800-LION-LAW. We can speak to you over the phone, chat online through our website or social media outlets, or arrange an in-person meeting at your convenience. Our team is ready to help!
Thompson Law is available 24/7 to provide free consultations and to sign up new clients. We can sign you up over the phone or we can send one of our experienced licensed investigators to meet you at the hospital or at your home if you prefer. Whether you live in Arlington, Ft. Worth, El Paso, McAllen, or even outside of the state of Texas, we are always here to assist you and provide the resources you need at a difficult time. We do the hard work for you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.
Being in a wreck, especially on the highway, can be a terrifying experience. Remember these 6 steps to make sure you are safe and to help preserve your legal case right from the start:
Yes! Passengers in auto accidents are entitled to make claims for their damages and injuries too. As a negligence-free passenger, who you make a claim against (one or both drivers and their insurance companies), and what coverages are available (third-party liability, first-party coverages, and/or personal injury protection), depends on the specific facts and circumstances of the car wreck. Injured passengers should call the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law to assist in navigating these complex issues so that they may receive the fair compensation they deserve.
Under Texas law, “bicycles are entitled to all rights of the road that apply to a motor vehicle, including access.” Unfortunately, drivers often don’t respect the rights of cyclists, and bike accidents are increasingly common, causing severe injuries to the cyclist.
First, stay at the scene. As soon as it is safe, assess the situation and call 9-1-1 to report the incident.
Second, when help arrives, receive emergency medical attention. Get “checked out” even if you think you are okay—the trauma and shock of the collision can cause your body to block out pain and injury, and internal injuries often produce non-specific symptoms. Follow the medical advice of the emergency response team.
Third, with assistance from the police, exchange and obtain information, such as insurance information as well as the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all witnesses, passengers, and drivers. DO NOT discuss the facts and circumstances of the bike accident with anyone other than the investigating officer.
Fourth, document the scene. Make notes on paper or using your cell phone about the time of day; weather conditions; road or traffic conditions; lighting; location of the vehicles and involved parties; and any relevant road signs, traffic control devices (lights, stop signs, yield signs) etc. Also, make sure to get photographs of your bike, the driver’s car, and the scene.
Last, a lawyer to discuss your rights. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law will help you investigate all applicable insurance coverages and fight to get the compensation to which you are entitled.
An insurance company will not pay medical expenses or other damages as they come due; rather, after they have accepted liability, the insurance company will make a one-time, lump-sum final payment only at the end of your case. Dealing with medical expenses, and obtaining the proper medical care, after an accident can be tricky. But it does not have to be! Call the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law, who can explain how to deal with the “day-of” hospital bills, how to continue to receive the care you need, and ultimately how to recover an appropriate settlement that takes care of your bills from the incident as well as fair and just compensation for you.
Let’s be honest: this isn’t a legal show on TV and your case will not settle in the next hour – or even tomorrow. The true answer is: it depends. We find that most cases settle within 7-10 months from date of incident; but the timeframe in your case could be shorter or longer depending on: the facts and circumstances of the accident; the length of time it takes you to complete medical treatment; and the character of the insurance company, or companies, involved in your case. In the event that your case cannot settle pre-litigation and it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, the litigation process alone can take 1 to 2 years due to the court system and legal process necessary to prepare for trial. But because so much of the timeline depends on the facts and circumstances of your unique case, call Thompson Law today to discuss the personal injury claims process.
Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.