If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, you already know how overwhelming the days after can feel. You are dealing with painful injuries, growing treatment costs, and questions about how your family will get through this. The insurance company is already working to protect its money, and you deserve someone in your corner who will fight just as hard for you.
Austin sits at the heart of one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and that growth has made local roads more dangerous than ever. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that Travis County sees more than 17,000 motor vehicle collisions every year, resulting in thousands of injuries and dozens of fatalities.[1] Many of these car crashes happen on the same congested highways and intersections that Austin drivers navigate every day, including I-35, MoPac, US-183, and busy corridors like Riverside Drive and North Lamar Boulevard. In fact, Texas leads the nation in traffic fatalities, with over 4,000 people killed on state roadways each year.[1]
An experienced car accident lawyer in Austin can help you understand your legal rights and fight to recover the compensation you need to move forward. At Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, we have spent decades helping injured Texans in Austin and Central Texas take on insurance companies, and we are ready to fight for you, too.
With offices serving Austin and communities throughout Central Texas, our team can move quickly to protect evidence and start building your car accident claim. Your first step is a FREE car accident case review.
Call 1-800-505-1414 now or click here to get started online.
A devastating rear-end collision on a Texas highway left our client fighting for his life. The force of the impact caused catastrophic spinal injuries, broken ribs, and internal trauma that demanded emergency medical intervention at the scene. Evidence showed the other driver had been distracted and driving recklessly in the moments leading up to the collision. When the responsible party tried to evade accountability after the accident, our team uncovered additional evidence that strengthened the case even further. Following extensive spinal surgery and a long recovery, we presented our client’s case to a jury and won a verdict exceeding $5.9 million.
After a serious car accident, you need a team that will move fast, dig deep, and fight hard to get you and your family what you deserve. At Jim Adler & Associates, we have been standing up for injured Texans since 1973, and we bring more than 50 years of experience to every case we handle. Our track record includes multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for auto accident victims across Texas, and insurance companies know that The Tough, Smart Lawyer® is willing to go to trial when they refuse to offer fair compensation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.*
As The Voice of The Victims™, we understand that a car accident affects your whole family. Our team keeps you informed every step of the way, and we can help connect you with medical care through a Letter of Protection so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal fight. When you work with an Austin car accident lawyer at our firm, you get deep local knowledge of Travis County courts and a team available around the clock in both English and Spanish. Call The Texas Hammer® today for a free case evaluation.
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and that rapid growth has brought a surge in traffic that makes local roads more dangerous every year. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that Travis County experiences more than 17,000 motor vehicle collisions annually, resulting in thousands of injuries and approximately 200 fatalities across the greater county area.[1] Within the city of Austin alone, roughly 24 car crashes occur every single day, and the leading causes include speeding, distracted driving, running red lights, and driving under the influence.[1] Most of these collisions happen on the same highways and intersections that Austin drivers navigate during their daily commutes, including I-35, MoPac, US-183, and high-traffic corridors like East Riverside Drive and North Lamar Boulevard.
These sobering statistics show that no one on Austin roads is truly immune from the risk of a serious car crash. If you find yourself injured in a collision caused by another driver’s negligence, you have legal rights to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. A car accident attorney in Austin can help you understand those rights and fight to hold the at-fault driver accountable. The Texas Hammer® has spent more than 50 years standing up for injured victims across Texas, and our team is ready to help you pursue the full value of your claim.
If you have driven in Austin, you know how hectic and unpredictable the roads can be. Rapid population growth, constant construction, and heavy commuter traffic have turned certain highways and intersections into collision hotspots where serious accidents occur on a regular basis. The City of Austin’s Vision Zero program has identified 13 High-Injury Roadway sections where over 350 people were seriously injured or killed within a five-year period, and the Texas Department of Transportation ranks I-35 among the most dangerous highways in the entire state.[1][2]
Knowing these local hotspots matters because an experienced car accident lawyer in Austin will understand the traffic patterns, road design flaws, and contributing factors that play a role in collisions at these locations. Whether your accident involved construction zone confusion on I-35, a failure-to-yield collision at a dangerous intersection, or a high-speed rear-end crash on MoPac, our team at Jim Adler & Associates knows how to investigate these cases and identify the evidence needed to prove fault and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Our Austin car accident lawyers help Texans get the financial compensation they deserve. We only get paid if you win. And we fight to win.
Car accidents rarely happen by chance, and most of them trace back to someone failing to follow the rules of the road or making a dangerous decision behind the wheel. Understanding how these collisions occur can help you recognize when you may have a valid claim against a negligent driver. The causes outlined below represent patterns that experienced Austin car accident lawyers see over and over again, and when these behaviors lead to a serious collision, the people responsible should be held accountable for the harm they cause.
Distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous behaviors on Texas roads, and the Texas Department of Transportation reports that nearly one in five crashes statewide are caused by a distracted driver.[3] Texting, scrolling through social media, adjusting a GPS, eating, or even having a conversation can take your attention away from the road long enough to cause a catastrophic collision. At highway speeds, looking at your phone for just five seconds means traveling the length of a football field without watching where you are going. Since September 2017, it has been illegal to read, write, or send a text while driving in Texas under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251, and violators can face fines up to $200.[4]
Speeding is the number one contributing factor in Texas traffic crashes and the leading cause of crash-related fatalities, according to TxDOT data.[1] High speeds dramatically reduce a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic, and the force of impact increases exponentially as speed rises. On highways like I-35 and MoPac, where traffic can shift from free-flowing to gridlock in seconds, excessive speed leaves drivers with no time to stop. Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving between lanes, and road rage make an already dangerous situation even worse, and drivers who cause accidents through reckless conduct can be held liable for the injuries they inflict.
Drunk and drug-impaired driving remains a serious problem in Austin, particularly during weekends and after major events like concerts, festivals, and sporting events. TxDOT reports that over 1,000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on Texas roads in a single recent year, representing approximately 25 percent of all traffic fatalities.[1] Impaired drivers face criminal consequences including fines, license suspension, and jail time, but they can also be held civilly liable for the injuries and deaths they cause. Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Intersection accidents often result in some of the most severe injuries because vehicles collide at perpendicular angles with little time to brake. T-bone collisions occur when one driver runs a red light or stop sign and strikes the side of another vehicle, where occupants have the least protection from impact. Austin’s busy intersections see these catastrophic crashes regularly because someone tried to beat a changing light or failed to come to a complete stop. Drivers who ignore traffic signals violate Texas Transportation Code Section 544.007, and that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.[5]
Many car crashes happen when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists. Left-turn accidents are particularly common at Austin intersections, where a driver attempting to turn may misjudge the speed of an approaching vehicle or try to squeeze through a gap that does not exist. Failure-to-yield accidents also occur at highway on-ramps, parking lot exits, and crosswalks, and the resulting side-impact collisions can cause serious injuries including broken bones, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries.
Heavy traffic on Austin highways can tempt impatient drivers to follow too closely behind the vehicle in front of them, leaving no room to stop if traffic suddenly slows. Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents, and they frequently cause whiplash, neck injuries, and back problems that may not become apparent until days after the crash. Texas Transportation Code Section 545.062 requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance, and a driver who rear-ends another vehicle is typically presumed to be at fault.[6]
While Austin does not experience much ice or snow, sudden downpours can create dangerous conditions that catch drivers off guard. Rain-slicked roads reduce tire traction and increase stopping distances, and flash flooding on low-water crossings has claimed lives in the Austin area. Drivers have a duty to adjust their speed and behavior to match road conditions, and those who fail to slow down during bad weather can be held liable for the accidents they cause. In some cases, poorly maintained roads with potholes, debris, or inadequate signage may also contribute to a crash, potentially creating liability for a government entity responsible for road maintenance.
Although less common than human error, mechanical failures like tire blowouts, brake failures, and steering defects can cause serious accidents even when the driver does everything right. When a defective vehicle component causes a crash, a product liability claim against the manufacturer or a negligence claim against a mechanic or maintenance provider may be appropriate. Our team at Jim Adler & Associates knows how to investigate these cases and identify every party who may share responsibility for your injuries.
The sheer force of a car crash can leave victims with injuries that range from painful but manageable to permanently life-altering. Even accidents that occur at moderate speeds can cause serious harm, and many injuries do not show obvious symptoms until hours or days after the collision. If you have been hurt in a car accident in Austin, understanding the types of injuries you may be facing can help you make informed decisions about your medical care and your legal options.
Rear-end collisions commonly cause whiplash, a soft tissue injury that occurs when the head snaps violently forward and backward upon impact. The sudden motion strains the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck, and symptoms may not appear until days after the accident. Victims often experience neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating, and these symptoms can persist for weeks or even months without proper treatment. Because whiplash does not show up on X-rays, insurance companies sometimes try to downplay these injuries, but an experienced car accident attorney in Austin can help you document the full extent of your condition and fight for fair compensation.
The violent force of a car crash can cause your head to strike the steering wheel, window, dashboard, or headrest, resulting in injuries that range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. Even with airbags, the brain can be damaged by the rapid acceleration and deceleration forces of a collision without any direct impact to the skull. Symptoms of a brain injury may include confusion, memory problems, mood changes, sensitivity to light, and difficulty with balance or coordination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations, and these injuries can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges that affect every aspect of a victim’s life.[7]
Your spine absorbs tremendous force during a car accident, and the damage can range from painful herniated discs to complete paralysis. When the vertebrae, discs, or ligaments of the spine are damaged, victims may experience chronic back pain, numbness, tingling, and limited mobility that interferes with daily activities and the ability to work. Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic outcomes of a serious collision because damage to the spinal cord itself can result in permanent loss of feeling and movement below the point of injury. These injuries typically require extensive medical treatment, surgical intervention, and long-term rehabilitation, and the associated costs can be overwhelming without adequate compensation.
The sudden impact of a car crash frequently causes broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and other areas of the body. While some fractures heal with time and proper immobilization, severe breaks may require surgical repair with metal plates, screws, or rods, and compound fractures where the bone pierces the skin carry a high risk of infection and complications. Broken bones can limit mobility and the ability to work for weeks or months during recovery, and some fractures never heal properly despite the best medical care. Victims deserve compensation not only for their immediate medical expenses but also for the lost wages and diminished quality of life that result from these injuries.
Beyond broken bones, car accidents cause many injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons that may not be immediately visible but can be extremely painful and debilitating. Torn ligaments in the knees, shoulders, or ankles, as well as severe sprains and strains, can sideline a person for weeks or longer and may require physical therapy or even surgery to repair. Because soft tissue injuries do not always show up on imaging tests, insurance companies sometimes argue that these injuries are less serious than they actually are. Proper documentation from medical professionals is essential to proving the full extent of your pain and limitations.
Broken glass, torn metal, and flying debris can cause serious cuts and lacerations during a car crash, and the deployment of airbags can also result in abrasions and burns from the chemicals and heat involved. In more severe collisions where fuel ignites or vehicles catch fire, burn injuries can be catastrophic and require specialized treatment at burn centers. Deep lacerations may damage nerves, tendons, or blood vessels and can leave permanent scars that affect a victim’s appearance and self-confidence. The physical and emotional toll of disfiguring injuries is real and deserves recognition when seeking compensation.
The blunt force trauma of a car collision can damage internal organs even when there are no visible wounds on the outside of the body. Ruptured spleens, lacerated livers, punctured lungs, and internal bleeding are all life-threatening conditions that require immediate emergency surgery. The danger of internal injuries is that victims may not realize the severity of their condition until it becomes critical, which is why prompt medical evaluation after any car accident is essential. What feels like minor abdominal pain or bruising could actually be a sign of a serious internal injury that needs urgent attention.
Physical injuries are not the only wounds that car accident victims carry with them. Surviving a violent collision can result in post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other emotional conditions that interfere with daily life, relationships, and the ability to work. Many victims experience flashbacks, nightmares, and intense fear when driving or even riding in a vehicle. These psychological injuries are real and deserve recognition as part of pain and suffering damages, and victims may need counseling or therapy to recover from the emotional impact of their accident.
No matter what type of injury you have suffered, seeking medical attention right away is critical for both your health and any future legal claim. Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time if left untreated, and having thorough medical documentation creates a clear record that connects your injuries to the accident. A car accident lawyer in Austin can help you understand the full value of your claim and fight to recover compensation for all of your losses, including ongoing treatment costs and the ways your injuries have affected your quality of life.
The moments after a car accident can be overwhelming, and it is hard to think clearly when you are hurt, scared, and trying to process what just happened. Taking certain steps in the hours and days following your collision may help protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation later. The following suggestions are general guidelines only, and your specific situation may require different actions depending on the circumstances.
After addressing immediate safety and medical needs, consulting with an Austin car accident lawyer should be the next priority. Insurance companies begin working to protect their money from the moment a claim is filed, and having legal representation early in the process can help avoid common mistakes that could reduce compensation. At Jim Adler & Associates, we offer a free case evaluation so injured victims can understand their options before committing, and our team can take over communications with the insurance company while clients focus on recovery.
After a serious car accident, you need more than just someone to file paperwork on your behalf. You need a team that will fight to protect your rights, handle the insurance companies, and pursue every dollar of compensation you deserve while you focus on healing. At Jim Adler & Associates, we have spent more than 50 years helping injured Texans navigate the legal process after devastating collisions, and we know what it takes to build a winning case.
Evidence can disappear quickly after a car accident, and the insurance company’s investigators are already working to build a case against you. Our team moves fast to secure critical evidence before it is lost or destroyed, including police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and photographs of the accident scene. We work with accident reconstruction experts when necessary to determine exactly how the collision occurred and who bears responsibility for your injuries. The sooner you contact a car accident lawyer in Austin, the more evidence we can protect on your behalf.
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to protect their company’s money, not to help you get fair compensation. They may contact you within hours of your accident hoping to get a recorded statement or quick settlement before you understand the true value of your claim. Our attorneys take over all communications with the insurance company so you do not have to worry about saying something that could be used against you later. We know the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts, and we fight back against lowball offers and delay strategies designed to wear you down.
Understanding the full value of your claim requires a thorough evaluation of all your losses, not just your current medical bills. We work to document your past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and the ways your injuries have affected your daily life and relationships. When necessary, we consult with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to calculate the long-term costs of your injuries and present compelling evidence that supports the compensation you deserve.
The legal process after a car accident can be confusing and intimidating, especially when you are also dealing with painful injuries and mounting bills. Our team provides clear guidance at every step, explaining your options and helping you make informed decisions about your case. We ensure that all legal deadlines are met, including the two-year statute of limitations established by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, so you do not lose your right to seek compensation due to a missed filing deadline.[8]
Most car accident cases settle before reaching trial, but the key to getting a fair settlement is being fully prepared to go to court if necessary. Insurance companies know which law firms are willing to take cases to trial and which ones will accept whatever offer is put on the table. The Tough, Smart Lawyer® has built a reputation for aggressive negotiation backed by thorough preparation, and that reputation often leads to better settlement offers for our clients. We do not recommend accepting any offer until we are confident it fully accounts for your current and future needs.
When the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, our trial attorneys are ready to present your case to a jury. Jim Adler & Associates has a team of more than 30 attorneys and 300 legal professionals with the resources and experience to take on even the largest insurance companies in the courtroom. Our track record of multi-million dollar verdicts demonstrates that we are not afraid to fight for our clients when negotiations fail to produce a just result.
Worrying about legal fees should never prevent an injured person from getting the help they need. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.* Your initial consultation is completely free, and you will never have to pay out of pocket to get our team working on your case. As The Voice of The Victims™, we believe that everyone deserves access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Call The Texas Hammer® today to learn how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Understanding how Texas handles car accident claims is essential for protecting your right to compensation after a collision. The state has specific rules about fault, deadlines, and insurance requirements that directly affect what you can recover and how you pursue your claim. The following overview explains the key legal concepts that apply to car accident cases in Austin and throughout Texas.
Texas follows a fault-based insurance system, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damages. This differs from no-fault states where each driver’s own insurance pays for their injuries regardless of who was to blame. In Texas, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, file a claim with your own insurance company and let them pursue the at-fault driver, or file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the negligent driver. Because fault matters so much in Texas, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured victim to reduce what they have to pay, which is why having an experienced car accident attorney in Austin on your side can make a significant difference in your recovery.
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence standard under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, sometimes called the 51 percent bar rule.[9] This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident, as long as your percentage of responsibility does not reach 51 percent or higher. If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover anything at all. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, so if you were found to be 20 percent responsible and your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies know this rule and often try to exaggerate the injured victim’s share of fault to reduce their payout or eliminate it entirely, which is why building a strong case with solid evidence is critical.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.[8] If a loved one died in the collision, wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to seek compensation forever, no matter how strong your case might be. Two years may sound like plenty of time, but building a thorough case requires extensive investigation, and critical evidence can disappear quickly if you wait too long. We encourage you to contact a car accident lawyer in Austin as soon as possible so we can begin protecting your rights while the evidence is still fresh.
Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, which currently stands at $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.[10] When a driver causes an accident without adequate insurance, recovering full compensation becomes more complicated, but options like underinsured motorist coverage may still be available. Texas also prohibits texting while driving statewide under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251, and violations of this law or other traffic regulations can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.[4] When we can prove that the other driver broke a specific traffic law, it helps establish that they breached their duty of care and should be held liable for your injuries.
Understanding these legal rules is important, but knowing how to use them effectively to build a winning case requires experience and skill. At Jim Adler & Associates, we ensure that all filing deadlines are met and leverage Texas statutes strategically to strengthen your claim. If the insurance company tries to blame you for the accident, our team works to collect evidence that minimizes any claimed percentage of fault so you can still recover fair compensation. Whether your case involves disputed liability, an uninsured driver, or complex questions about damages, The Texas Hammer® has the knowledge and resources to fight for the full value of your claim.
Serious car accidents leave victims facing enormous financial pressure at a time when they are least able to handle it. You may be unable to work while treatment costs continue to pile up, and the insurance company is already looking for ways to minimize what they pay. Understanding what types of compensation you may be entitled to can help you make informed decisions about your case and avoid settling for less than you need to fully recover.
Medical expenses are often the largest category of damages in a car accident claim, and you may be entitled to compensation for both past and future treatment costs. This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic imaging, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any medical equipment you need during your recovery. If your doctors expect you will require ongoing care or future procedures related to your injuries, those anticipated costs should also be factored into your claim. Keeping thorough records of all medical visits and expenses is essential for documenting the full extent of your losses.
When injuries prevent you from working, you deserve compensation for the income you have already missed and the earnings you will lose in the future. Lost wages include not only your regular salary or hourly pay but also bonuses, commissions, and benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions that you would have received if not for the accident. If your injuries permanently affect your ability to work at the same level as before, you may also be entitled to compensation for diminished earning capacity, which accounts for the difference between what you could have earned and what you can earn now. Our team works with economic experts when necessary to accurately calculate the full financial impact of your injuries over the course of your working life.
You have the right to seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed in the collision. If your car is totaled, you should receive its fair market value at the time of the accident, not just what the insurance company initially offers. Property damage claims also cover items inside your vehicle that were damaged, such as electronics, luggage, or work equipment. While property damage is often resolved more quickly than injury claims, you should be careful not to accept a settlement that undervalues your losses.
Not every loss from a car accident shows up on a bill or bank statement. Non-economic damages recognize the human cost of your injuries, including the physical pain you have endured and will continue to experience during your recovery. Emotional distress covers the anxiety, depression, fear, and psychological suffering that often accompany serious injuries. Loss of enjoyment of life compensates you for hobbies, activities, and experiences you can no longer participate in because of what happened. These damages are harder to quantify than medical bills, but they represent real harm that deserves fair compensation.
Permanent scarring and disfigurement can affect your self-confidence, your relationships, and how others perceive you for the rest of your life. Deep lacerations, burns, and injuries requiring multiple surgeries may leave visible marks that serve as constant reminders of the trauma you experienced. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41 allows compensation for these lasting changes to your appearance, recognizing that the emotional and psychological toll of disfiguring injuries extends far beyond the physical wounds.[11]
Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations may require lifelong medical care, assistive devices, home modifications, and in-home assistance. The costs of living with a permanent disability can be staggering, and your compensation should account for every expense you will face over the rest of your lifetime. Our team consults with medical experts and life care planners to project these future costs accurately so that your settlement or verdict fully reflects your long-term needs.
When your injuries damage your relationship with your spouse, including your ability to provide companionship, support, affection, and intimacy, your spouse may have a separate claim for what the law calls loss of consortium under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.001.[11] These damages recognize that a serious injury affects the entire family, not just the person who was physically hurt. Loss of consortium claims are brought by the spouse rather than the injured victim, and they can add significant value to a family’s overall recovery.
When a car accident takes the life of someone you love, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, lost companionship and guidance, and the mental anguish caused by the loss.[12] No amount of money can replace someone you love, but holding the negligent driver accountable can provide financial security and a measure of justice for your family.
If you have been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, a car accident attorney in Austin can help you understand the full value of your claim and fight to recover every dollar you deserve.
With thousands of car accident cases handled across Texas, our numbers speak for themselves.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. The Texas Hammer® has spent more than 50 years standing up for injured Texans, and we are ready to fight for you, too. Your initial consultation is completely free, and we handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.* Our attorneys and staff are available around the clock in both English and Spanish, and we understand that accidents do not wait for business hours. As The Voice of The Victims™, Jim Adler & Associates proudly serves clients throughout Austin and the surrounding communities, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Kyle, San Marcos, and the entire Central Texas region. Call The Texas Hammer® today or fill out the form on this page to schedule your free case evaluation, because the insurance company already has lawyers working to protect its money and you deserve someone fighting just as hard for you.
fter a serious car accident, you probably have a lot of questions about what comes next and how to protect your family’s future. The answers below address some of the concerns we hear most often from people in your situation, and an experienced car accident lawyer in Austin can help you understand how these issues apply to your specific case. If you have questions that are not covered here, our team is always available to speak with you directly.
You are not legally required to hire an attorney after a car accident, but having experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay, and they often take advantage of unrepresented claimants who do not understand the true value of their injuries. An Austin car accident lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company, collect and preserve critical evidence, accurately calculate your current and future damages, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. Studies consistently show that accident victims who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation on average than those who try to handle claims on their own, even after accounting for legal fees.
At Jim Adler & Associates, we handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.* Your initial consultation is completely free, and you will never have to pay anything out of pocket to get our team working on your case. The contingency fee structure allows injured victims to access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation, and it aligns our interests with yours because we only get paid if you do. We believe that worrying about legal fees should never prevent someone from getting the help they need after a serious accident.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.[8] If a loved one died in the collision, wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to seek compensation forever, no matter how strong your case might be. Two years can pass faster than you expect, especially when you are focused on recovering from serious injuries, and important evidence can disappear during that time if no one is working to preserve it. We encourage you to contact a car accident attorney in Austin as soon as possible so we can protect your rights while the evidence is still available.
Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, but unfortunately, not everyone follows the law.[10] If you were hit by an uninsured driver or the driver fled the scene in a hit-and-run, you may still have options for recovering compensation. Your own auto insurance policy may include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that can pay for your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver cannot. In hit-and-run cases, our team works with law enforcement and uses all available evidence to help identify the responsible driver. We can review your insurance policy and help you understand every potential source of recovery so you are not left paying for someone else’s negligence out of your own pocket.
Yes, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident, as long as your percentage of responsibility does not reach 51 percent or higher. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, which means your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.[9] For example, if you were found to be 20 percent responsible and your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies know this rule and often try to exaggerate the injured victim’s share of fault to reduce their payout or deny the claim entirely. Our attorneys fight back against these tactics by collecting evidence that accurately establishes what happened and minimizes any unfair blame placed on you.
The majority of car accident cases settle before reaching trial, but the key to getting a fair settlement is being fully prepared to go to court if necessary. Insurance companies know which law firms are willing to take cases to trial and which ones will accept whatever offer is put on the table, and that knowledge directly affects how they negotiate. At Jim Adler & Associates, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial, even while we pursue settlement negotiations. This approach consistently produces better outcomes for our clients because the insurance companies know The Tough, Smart Lawyer® is not bluffing when we reject inadequate offers. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, our trial attorneys are ready to present your case to a jury and fight for the verdict you deserve.
After a car accident in Austin, you need a team that knows how to take on insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. Jim Adler & Associates steps in to secure evidence, handle insurance communications, and build your case while you focus on recovery. We fight big insurance companies with thorough preparation and aggressive representation, not empty promises. Our team is available to speak with you in both English and Spanish.
We offer a free case review so you can understand your options before you commit. No fee unless we win.* Car accident cases move fast, and early action protects your rights and preserves critical evidence. The Texas Hammer® is here for injured Texans and their families. If a car accident turned your life upside down in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, let our team carry the legal load so you can focus on healing.
[1] Texas Department of Transportation, Crash Records Information System (CRIS), Crash Data Analysis and Statistics. https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records/crash-data-analysis-statistics.html
[2] City of Austin Transportation Department, Vision Zero Program. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/vision-zero
[3] Texas Department of Transportation, “Talk. Text. Crash.” Distracted Driving Campaign. https://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/distracted-driving.html
[4] Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 545, Section 545.4251, “Use of Portable Wireless Communication Device for Electronic Messaging.” https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
[5] Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 544, Section 544.007, “Traffic-Control Signals.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.544.htm
[6] Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 545, Section 545.062, “Following Distance.” https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Traumatic Brain Injury Data and Statistics.” https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
[8] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 16, Section 16.003, “Two-Year Limitations Period.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.16.htm
[9] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 33, Section 33.001, “Proportionate Responsibility.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm
[10] Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 601, Section 601.072, “Minimum Coverage Amounts.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.601.htm
[11] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 41, “Damages.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.41.htm
[12] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 71, “Wrongful Death; Survival; Injuries Occurring Out of State.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.71.htm
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