According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 17,405 motor vehicle accidents occurred in Travis County in 2023. These crashes caused 160 deaths, 677 suspected serious injuries, and 4,801 suspected minor injuries. When your life is upended because of someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay the consequences.
An experienced Austin personal injury attorney from De La Garza Law can help pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Can an Austin Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
Car accidents often lead to serious injuries. It can be difficult to deal with painful injuries while also trying to protect your legal rights to fair compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer in Austin can handle the administrative workload of your car accident case so you can focus on your recovery.
Some of the ways De La Garza Law can handle your case include:
- Investigating the accident – Our experienced legal team can review police reports, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the accident team to identify all at-fault parties and establish liability.
- Advise you of your legal rights and options – When you hire De La Garza Law, your case will be handled by our founding attorney, Rafael De La Garza, who will use his extensive knowledge of personal injury laws to give you legal advice tailored to your specific situation.
- Handle communications with the insurance company – Our law firm can handle every detail of your car accident claim and protect you from insurance company tactics designed to minimize your payout.
- Negotiate for maximum compensation – We can assess the full physical, emotional, and financial impact the car accident had on your life and ensure that your demand for recovery incorporates it.
At De La Garza Law, our team has the knowledge, resources, and skills to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Call us today to take advantage of a free, no-obligation case review.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Austin, Texas
Most car accidents occur because of driver error. Leading causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Aggressive driving, tailgating, or making unsafe lane changes or passes
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Wrong-way driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
Some car accidents are due to design defects in the vehicle or maintenance issues that cause the vehicle to fail at a critical moment. An experienced accident lawyer in Austin can investigate your case to determine why the collision occurred and who is responsible.
The Insurance Claims Process Following Car Accidents
Texas is an at-fault state for car insurance, so the driver found to be responsible for the crash is responsible for compensating the victim for the damages they sustained. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, all drivers must insure their vehicles with the minimum liability coverage to operate legally in the state. This liability coverage pays for damages the driver causes through their negligence and includes:
- $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $60,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage
People can purchase additional insurance above these minimum amounts.
An injury victim can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, many claimants find it difficult to recover fair compensation when dealing with someone else’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters are tasked with resolving claims for as little money as possible and may even deny claims if they can find any legitimate reason to do so. It’s nearly impossible for a car accident victim to recover financial compensation sufficient to cover the full extent of their damages without the help of an injury attorney in Austin.
Insurance companies may try to get you to give a recorded statement that they later use against you to deny your claim or justify a lowball settlement. They may send you forms to sign, claiming they will “expedite” the process when they really give the insurance company the power to access your private medical records to find any previous injury to blame your current injuries on. They may claim that their settlement is the only one they will make. Level the playing field by hiring a car accident attorney who can manage your claim and protect your rights.
Financial Compensation for Car Accident Victims
Car accidents can cause significant damages. An experienced Austin accident lawyer can review your case and demand compensation for all of the following damages that apply:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced long-term earning potential
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
- Disabilities and impairments
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Our car accident attorney in Austin can fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Austin, Texas?
Some proactive steps to take after a car accident in Austin include:
- Calling 911 or the Austin Police Department to report the accident
- Seeking immediate medical attention
- Exchanging information with the other driver
- Gathering evidence at the scene of the crash
- Keeping track of all your accident-related expenses and losses
- Contacting an experienced accident attorney in Austin as soon as possible
An Austin car accident attorney can advise you on next steps, including what not to do.
What Is the Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Most car accident cases settle out of court, but if it becomes necessary to file a car accident lawsuit, you must do so within the applicable statute of limitations. In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the accident date. If you miss this deadline, you can be barred from seeking financial recovery through the courts.
Call an Experienced Austin Car Accident Attorney to Learn Your Legal Rights and Options
If a negligent driver harms you, an Austin accident attorney from De La Garza Law can help. We can discuss your legal rights and options during a free case review. Call us today at (956) 382-6717 or fill out our online form to get started.
