If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt because of another person’s carelessness or a company’s negligence, you already know how overwhelming life can feel right now. You are dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical expenses, and questions about how your family will manage while you focus on recovery. The insurance company on the other side is already working to protect its bottom line, and you deserve someone in your corner who will fight just as hard for you and your family.
Unintentional injuries are the third leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 222,000 lives each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[1] For every death, countless more people suffer life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment and leave families struggling to make ends meet. Here in Austin and across Central Texas, these injuries touch people every day through car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, slip and fall incidents, premises liability situations, workplace and construction accidents, and other preventable harm. When someone else’s negligence causes a catastrophic injury or wrongful death, the people left to pick up the pieces deserve answers, accountability, and fair compensation.
At Jim Adler & Associates, we have spent more than 50 years helping injured Texans and their families fight back against insurance companies that put profits ahead of people. Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, built this firm on the belief that ordinary families deserve the same aggressive representation that big corporations enjoy. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, our Austin personal injury lawyer team is ready to stand with you and pursue the full compensation your family needs to move forward.
With offices serving Austin and communities throughout Central Texas, our team can move quickly to protect evidence and start building your personal injury claim. Your first step is a FREE case review.
Call 1-800-505-1414 now or click here to get started online.
Recovery for Families
On a rain-soaked rural Texas highway, a speeding tractor-trailer lost control and veered into oncoming traffic. Two women driving home after work had no time to avoid the collision as the massive truck slammed into their SUV head-on. Both lost their lives at the scene, leaving behind husbands and young children who would have to face the future without their mothers. The grieving families came to Jim Adler & Associates seeking justice, and our attorneys worked tirelessly to hold the trucking company responsible for the tragedy. We secured a $26 million recovery so these families could begin to rebuild their lives and provide for the children who lost so much that day.
When you have been seriously injured, the last thing you need is the added stress of trying to navigate the legal system while fighting with insurance adjusters who do not have your best interests at heart. A personal injury lawyer Austin families trust can step in to investigate what happened, handle all communications with the insurance company, build a strong claim for compensation, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and take your case to trial if that is what it takes to get you a fair result. The right legal team allows you to focus on what matters most, which is your health and your family, while experienced professionals handle the fight for accountability.
Here is what you can expect when you work with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney at Jim Adler & Associates:
Insurance companies are businesses designed to maximize profits, and one of the most effective ways they do that is by minimizing what they pay out on claims. The adjuster who calls you may sound sympathetic, but their job is to protect their employer’s bottom line, not to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Research from the Insurance Research Council shows that accident victims who hire an attorney receive settlements approximately 3.5 times higher than those who try to handle claims on their own.[2] The same research found that 85 percent of all money paid out by insurance companies for bodily injury claims goes to people who have legal representation.[2] Having an experienced personal injury attorney Austin residents can count on levels the playing field and sends a clear message that you will not be taken advantage of.
Evidence in personal injury cases disappears faster than most people realize. Surveillance footage gets recorded over within days, witnesses forget details or move away, and vehicle data may be lost if a car is repaired or totaled before anyone downloads it. Adjusters are also trained to ask questions in recorded statements that may lead you to say something that hurts your claim, even when you are simply trying to be honest. Generally speaking, consulting with an Austin personal injury lawyer before providing any statement or accepting any offer can help protect your rights and your recovery. If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, call Jim Adler & Associates today for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Personal injury cases take many forms, and the right legal approach depends on understanding exactly what happened and who should be held accountable. At Jim Adler & Associates, our Austin personal injury attorney team handles a wide range of cases for injured people throughout Travis County and the surrounding Central Texas region. The following are some of the most common types of claims we pursue on behalf of our clients.
The Texas Department of Transportation reports that Travis County recorded more than 15,800 traffic accidents in a single recent year, resulting in thousands of serious injuries and 155 fatalities.[3] These collisions happen every day on roads like I-35, MoPac Expressway, US-183, and US-290, where heavy traffic volume and high speeds create dangerous conditions. Our firm represents people injured in car accidents, truck and 18-wheeler collisions, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, rideshare incidents involving Uber and Lyft, and drunk driving crashes. Each type of motor vehicle case involves different legal considerations, and an experienced personal injury lawyer Austin families trust can help identify all potential sources of compensation.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors, and when they fail to do so, serious injuries can result. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that falls result in approximately 3 million emergency department visits each year among older adults alone, with nearly 1 million of those visits leading to hospitalization.[4] Slip and fall accidents can cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering harm. Our team handles premises liability cases involving slip and fall incidents, unsafe property conditions, inadequate lighting or security, and other dangerous hazards that property owners should have addressed. When a business or property owner’s negligence causes your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Some accidents cause injuries so severe that they change everything about a person’s life and their family’s future. The CDC reports that traumatic brain injuries result in approximately 214,000 hospitalizations and nearly 70,000 deaths each year in the United States.[5] Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, and amputations, often require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing care that can cost millions of dollars over a lifetime. When someone else’s negligence causes a catastrophic injury or wrongful death, the financial and emotional toll on families can be devastating. Our attorneys fight to secure the compensation families need to pay for medical care, replace lost income, and begin rebuilding their lives after tragedy strikes.
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation reports that 126 workers died in construction-related incidents in a single recent year, representing 22 percent of all workplace fatalities in the state.[6] While workers’ compensation provides benefits to many injured employees regardless of fault, some workplace accidents involve third parties whose negligence contributed to the injury. When a construction site accident is caused by a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or other party outside your direct employer, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits. These third-party claims can provide compensation for pain and suffering and other damages that workers’ compensation does not cover. Our personal injury attorney Austin workers rely on can evaluate your situation and help you understand all of your legal options.
When someone else’s negligence causes your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm you have suffered. Understanding the types of damages available in a personal injury case can help you make informed decisions about your claim and ensure that nothing is left on the table when pursuing fair compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer Austin residents trust can evaluate your specific situation and help you understand the full value of your case.
Economic damages cover the financial losses you can calculate and document with bills, receipts, pay stubs, and other records. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.001 defines economic damages as “compensatory damages intended to compensate a claimant for actual economic or pecuniary loss.”[7] These losses typically include your medical expenses, both past and future, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment your doctors say you will need. Lost wages compensate you for the income you missed while you were too injured to work, and if your injuries affect your ability to earn a living in the future, you may also recover compensation for your reduced earning capacity over the rest of your working life. Property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal belongings that were destroyed in the accident.
Not every loss shows up on a bill or bank statement. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41 allows you to pursue compensation for the human cost of your injuries, which goes far beyond your medical bills and lost paychecks.[7] These damages recognize the physical pain you have endured and will continue to experience during your recovery, the emotional distress and mental anguish that often accompany serious injuries, and the activities and experiences you can no longer enjoy because of what happened. If your injuries have left you with permanent scarring, disfigurement, or long-term disability, you may be entitled to additional compensation for how these changes affect your daily life and your relationships with others.
When someone dies because of another person’s negligence, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71 allows certain surviving family members to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.[8] The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person may recover damages for the losses they have suffered, including funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, the loss of care and companionship, and the mental anguish caused by the sudden loss of a loved one. These cases are deeply personal and emotionally difficult, and our Austin personal injury attorney team handles them with the compassion and care that grieving families deserve while fighting aggressively to hold the responsible parties accountable.
In most personal injury cases, compensation focuses on making you whole by covering your actual losses. However, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003 allows for an additional category called exemplary damages when the defendant’s conduct involved fraud, malice, or gross negligence.[7] Gross negligence means the person or company knew their actions created an extreme risk of harm to others and went ahead anyway without caring about the consequences. These damages are rare and fact-dependent, requiring clear and convincing evidence of truly reckless or intentional misconduct. When the facts support a punitive damages claim, our attorneys pursue them aggressively to ensure that wrongdoers face meaningful consequences for their actions.
The moments and days after an accident can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with painful injuries and trying to figure out what comes next. Taking certain steps early on 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.
If you have been injured in an accident in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, the team at Jim Adler & Associates is ready to help you understand your legal options. Call us today or fill out the form on this page for a free consultation, and let The Texas Hammer® start fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Our Austin personal injury lawyers help Texans get the financial compensation they deserve. We only get paid if you win.* And we fight to win.
Many people who have been injured in an accident have never had to deal with the legal system before, and the process can seem confusing and intimidating from the outside. Understanding what to expect at each stage can help you feel more confident about moving forward with your claim. While every case is different and timelines can vary, the following steps provide a general overview of how a personal injury case typically unfolds when you work with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney.
The process begins when you contact our firm for a free consultation to discuss your situation. During this initial conversation, we will ask you about the details of the accident, the injuries you sustained, the medical treatment you have received so far, and how the accident has affected your daily life and ability to work. Our goal is to understand what happened and help you determine whether you may have a valid claim against the person or company responsible for your injuries.
To make the most of your consultation, it helps to bring any documents you have related to the accident and your injuries. Useful materials include the police or crash report, photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, contact information for any witnesses, medical records and bills from treatment you have received, and any correspondence you have received from insurance companies. If you do not have all of these documents, do not worry because our team can help you obtain what we need to evaluate your case.
Once you decide to move forward with your case, our team begins a thorough investigation to collect the evidence needed to prove who was at fault for your accident. This process typically includes obtaining official reports from police or other agencies, interviewing witnesses who saw what happened, collecting photographs and videos of the accident scene, and securing any available surveillance footage before it gets recorded over. We also send preservation letters to the parties involved, demanding that they maintain all evidence related to the accident.
Depending on the complexity of your case, we may work with accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, economists, and other professionals who can help establish exactly what happened and calculate the full extent of your damages. Our investigation continues throughout the case as new information becomes available, and we use what we learn to build the strongest possible argument for holding the responsible parties accountable.
While we handle the legal side of your case, your job is to focus on getting better. Following your doctor’s treatment plan, attending all scheduled appointments, and completing any recommended therapy or rehabilitation are important both for your health and for your claim. The medical records created during your treatment serve as critical evidence documenting the nature and severity of your injuries, and gaps in treatment can give insurance companies an excuse to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you say.
In many cases, we wait until you reach what doctors call maximum medical improvement before finalizing the value of your claim. This is the point at which your condition has stabilized and your doctors can provide a clear picture of your long-term prognosis, including any permanent limitations or ongoing treatment you will need. Settling too early, before you know the full extent of your injuries, can leave you without enough money to cover future medical expenses and other losses.
Once we have a complete picture of your damages, we prepare a comprehensive demand package to present to the insurance company. This package includes a detailed summary of the accident and how it happened, evidence establishing the other party’s liability, documentation of all your medical treatment and expenses, proof of your lost wages and other economic losses, and a calculation of your pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. The demand package tells the story of your case and demonstrates why you deserve full compensation.
After submitting the demand, we enter into negotiations with the insurance company. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who know how insurance companies operate and understand the tactics they use to minimize payouts. We approach every negotiation fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary, and insurance companies know that about our firm. When the other side understands that we will not accept a lowball offer and that we have the resources to litigate, they have much more incentive to offer fair compensation.
The majority of personal injury cases settle without going to trial, but some cases require filing a lawsuit to achieve a fair result. If the insurance company refuses to offer reasonable compensation, we file suit in the appropriate Texas court and begin the litigation process. Discovery is the phase where both sides exchange information, take depositions of witnesses, and gather additional evidence to prepare for trial. This process can take several months, but it often leads to settlement once the defense sees the strength of the evidence against them.
Many cases that go into litigation settle during mediation, a process where both sides meet with a neutral mediator who helps facilitate settlement discussions. If mediation does not result in an agreement, your case proceeds to trial, where a judge or jury will hear the evidence and decide the outcome. While the prospect of trial can feel intimidating, our attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and will be by your side every step of the way. At Jim Adler & Associates, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial, and that preparation consistently produces better results for our clients whether the case settles or goes before a jury.
Understanding the legal rules that apply to personal injury cases in Texas can help you make informed decisions about your claim and avoid costly mistakes. The following overview covers some of the most important laws that may affect your ability to seek compensation after an accident. Because every case is different and the details matter, you should consult with a personal injury attorney Austin families trust to understand how these rules apply to your specific situation.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, and missing these deadlines can permanently destroy your right to seek compensation.[9] Under this statute, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years, with the clock starting on the date of the victim’s death rather than the date of the accident.[9]
Two years may sound like plenty of time, but building a strong personal injury case requires extensive investigation, and critical evidence can disappear quickly if you wait too long. At Jim Adler & Associates, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after your accident so we can begin protecting your rights and collecting the evidence needed to pursue full compensation. The Texas Hammer® has spent more than 50 years fighting for injured Texans, and we know that early action can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured people as a way to reduce or eliminate the compensation they have to pay. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, codified in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, which allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident, but only up to a point.[10] Under this rule, you cannot recover any damages if you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible for what happened.
If your share of responsibility is 50 percent or less, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury determines that your total damages are $100,000 but you were 20 percent at fault for the accident, your recovery would be reduced by 20 percent, leaving you with $80,000. Insurance adjusters know this rule and often try to push as much blame as possible onto the injured person. The Tough, Smart Lawyer® and our legal team at Jim Adler & Associates know how to counter these tactics and fight to ensure that fault is assigned fairly based on the evidence.
Where your lawsuit is filed can have a meaningful impact on how your case unfolds. Different counties in Texas have different jury pools, court procedures, and local legal cultures that can affect everything from how long your case takes to how a jury might view the evidence. A personal injury lawyer Austin residents choose should understand the landscape of Travis County courts as well as the surrounding counties where your case might be heard.
At Jim Adler & Associates, our attorneys have decades of experience handling cases throughout Central Texas, and we use that local knowledge to develop strategies tailored to the specific venue where your case will be decided. While no one can guarantee a particular outcome, having a legal team that understands the local courts and knows how to present your case effectively to local juries can be an important advantage. The Voice of The Victims™ fights for injured Texans in courtrooms across the state, and we bring that experience to every case we handle.
If your injury was caused by a government employee or resulted from a dangerous condition on government property, your case may be subject to special rules that do not apply to claims against private individuals or businesses. The Texas Tort Claims Act imposes specific notice requirements and shorter deadlines for claims against state and local government entities, and failing to follow these procedures can result in losing your right to pursue compensation entirely.[12]
Because the rules for government liability claims are complex and fact-specific, you should speak with an experienced Austin personal injury lawyer as soon as possible if you believe a government entity may be responsible for your injuries. The team at Jim Adler & Associates can evaluate your situation, identify any special requirements that apply, and help you take the necessary steps to protect your claim before any deadlines pass.
When you are recovering from a serious injury, you need more than just a lawyer who will file paperwork and wait for a check. You need a team that will fight for you, keep you informed, and have the resources to take on insurance companies that would rather pay you nothing than what you actually deserve. At Jim Adler & Associates, we have been standing up for injured Texans since 1973, and The Texas Hammer® is ready to fight for you and your family.
Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer® earned his undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Texas right here in Austin, and our firm has deep roots in the Central Texas community. Our Austin personal injury attorney team knows the congested corridors of I-35 and MoPac, the busy intersections downtown, and the winding roads through the Hill Country where serious accidents happen every day. We understand the Travis County courts and how cases move through the local legal system, which allows us to develop strategies tailored to your specific situation and the venue where your case will be heard.
At Jim Adler & Associates, we believe you deserve to know what is happening with your case at every stage, and we make that a priority. When you call our office, a real person answers the phone, and when you have questions, you get answers from a dedicated point of contact who knows your case and can provide updates without making you jump through hoops. As The Voice of The Victims™, we return calls promptly, explain things in plain language, and make sure you always understand what is happening and what to expect next.
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 when adjusters see that you are represented by The Tough, Smart Lawyer® and our team at Jim Adler & Associates, they know they are dealing with attorneys who have the experience and resources to fight them in court. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, even while we pursue settlement negotiations, and that trial-ready posture consistently produces better results because insurance companies understand we are fully prepared to present your case to a jury if they refuse to offer fair compensation.
Jim Adler & Associates has a team of more than 30 attorneys and 300 legal professionals, giving us the capacity to take on large insurance companies and well-funded corporate defendants without cutting corners. When your case requires it, we work with accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, economists who can calculate your future losses, and investigators who can dig into the evidence, and we also have relationships with a network of doctors who can provide treatment through a Letter of Protection so you can get the medical care you need even if you are worried about how to pay for it right now.
Our Hammer Helps program has supported more than 20 organizations and donated more than $175,000 to nonprofits across Texas, including back-to-school backpack drives that have helped thousands of children, donations to food banks and veterans programs, and support for children’s centers and animal shelters. Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer® has personally contributed to organizations including the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital, because we believe that being part of a community means giving back to that community and standing up for people who need help.
After a serious accident, worrying about how to afford a lawyer should not be one more burden on your shoulders. At Jim Adler & Associates, we take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, and that means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Getting started on your case does not cost you a single dollar out of pocket. Our fee is a percentage of the money we recover, so if we do not win, you do not owe us any attorney fees.* This approach makes it possible for injured people across Austin to get experienced legal help without adding financial stress to an already difficult situation. You focus on healing, and we focus on fighting the insurance companies.
We believe in being upfront about what you can expect. At Jim Adler & Associates, our contingency fee is 35% if we resolve your case before filing a lawsuit. If litigation becomes necessary to pursue the full value of your claim, the fee increases to 40%. We walk you through these terms before you sign anything, so there are no surprises down the road.
Beyond attorney fees, personal injury cases can involve expenses like court filing fees, charges for obtaining medical records, expert witness fees, and investigation costs. You are responsible for paying these costs and expenses regardless of how your case turns out.* During your free consultation, we explain exactly how costs are handled so you understand the full picture before deciding to move forward with us.
With thousands of personal injury cases handled across Texas, our numbers speak for themselves.
Jim Adler & Associates represents personal injury victims throughout Austin and the surrounding Central Texas region. If you were hurt in an accident anywhere in the following areas, our team is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
New Braunfels If you do not see your neighborhood or city listed here, do not hesitate to call us. We proudly serve accident victims across Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, Bastrop County, and the entire Central Texas area
If you or someone you love has been hurt because of another person’s negligence, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. The Texas Hammer® has spent more than 50 years fighting for injured Texans, and our team is ready to fight for you, too. We will review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options at no cost and with no obligation.
Your consultation is completely free, and you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.* Call us today or fill out the form on this page to speak with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney who will put your family’s needs first. The insurance company already has lawyers protecting their interests, and it is time you had someone in your corner protecting yours.
After a serious accident, you probably have questions about your rights, your options, and what comes next. The answers below address some of the concerns we hear most often from injured people across Austin and Central Texas. If you have questions that are not covered here, our team is always available to speak with you directly.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.[9] If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever, no matter how strong your case might be. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline, which begins on the date of the victim’s death rather than the date of the accident.[9]
Two years may sound like plenty of time, but building a strong case requires investigation, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies. Critical evidence can disappear quickly if you wait too long, and witnesses forget important details as time passes. We encourage you to contact an Austin personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so we can start protecting your rights while the evidence is still fresh.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident.[10] However, there is an important limit. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything at all.
If you do recover, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to shift as much blame onto injured people as possible to reduce what they have to pay. Our attorneys fight back against these tactics and work to make sure fault is assigned fairly based on the actual evidence.
The value of your case depends on factors specific to your situation, including the severity of your injuries, how much your medical treatment costs, how much income you have lost, and how the accident has affected your daily life and relationships. Texas law allows you to pursue both economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41.[7]
We cannot promise a specific dollar amount without understanding your full situation, but we can promise that we will fight for every dollar you deserve. During your free consultation, we will review the details of your accident and give you an honest assessment of what your case may be worth based on our experience handling similar claims across Austin and Central Texas.
At Jim Adler & Associates, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.* Our contingency fee is 35% if we resolve your case before filing a lawsuit, and 40% if litigation becomes necessary to pursue the full value of your claim.
This arrangement allows injured people to get quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. You do not have to worry about hourly rates or upfront payments while you are trying to recover from your injuries. We explain all fee terms clearly during your free consultation so you know exactly what to expect before signing anything.
No. When you hire Jim Adler & Associates, getting started on your case does not cost you anything out of pocket. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes out of the compensation we recover for you. Our contingency fee is 35% if we resolve your case before filing a lawsuit, and 40% if litigation becomes necessary to pursue the full value of your claim.
You are responsible for paying court costs and expenses regardless of the outcome of your case.* These expenses can include court filing fees, charges for obtaining medical records, expert witness fees, and investigation costs. We discuss exactly how costs and expenses are handled during your free consultation so you understand the full picture before deciding to move forward with us. If we do not win your case, you do not owe us any attorney fees.*
We strongly recommend speaking with an attorney before giving any statements to the other party’s insurance adjuster. These adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to protect their company’s money, not to help you. They often reach out to accident victims within hours of an accident, hoping to get recorded statements or quick settlements before people understand the true value of their claims.
Anything you say to an adjuster can be used against you later to reduce your compensation. Even innocent comments about feeling fine or apologizing out of habit can be twisted to suggest your injuries are not serious or that you were at fault. Research from the Insurance Research Council shows that people who hire attorneys receive settlements that average 3.5 times higher than those who handle claims on their own.[2] Let our team handle all communications with the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery without worrying about saying the wrong thing.
Delayed symptoms are common after accidents, especially for injuries like whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that traumatic brain injuries alone account for approximately 214,000 hospitalizations and 70,000 deaths annually, and many of these injuries do not present obvious symptoms immediately.[5] If you notice new pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or any other symptoms in the days or weeks following your accident, you should see a doctor right away and make sure to mention that these symptoms are related to your accident.
Getting prompt medical attention creates documentation that connects your symptoms to the accident, which is important for your claim. Insurance companies often argue that delayed symptoms must have been caused by something other than the accident, so having clear medical records showing when symptoms appeared and what your doctor said about them can make a significant difference in your case.
The timeline for resolving a personal injury case varies depending on factors like the complexity of your injuries, how many parties are involved, whether liability is disputed, and how cooperative the insurance companies are. Some straightforward cases settle within a few months, while complex cases involving catastrophic injuries or multiple defendants can take a year or longer.
One factor that often extends the timeline is waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement, which is the point at which your doctors can say your condition is stable and predict your future medical needs. Settling too early, before you know the full extent of your injuries, can leave you without enough money to cover the treatment you will need down the road. We balance the need for a timely resolution with the importance of making sure your settlement fully accounts for your long-term needs.
The majority of personal injury cases settle before reaching trial, but the key to getting a good 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. When the defense knows you have a legal team that is ready and able to present your case to a jury, they have much more incentive to offer fair compensation.
At Jim Adler & Associates, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial, even while we pursue settlement negotiations. The Tough, Smart Lawyer® approach consistently produces better outcomes for our clients because insurance companies know we are not bluffing when we reject inadequate offers.
If the driver who caused your accident does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy may include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which is designed to protect you in exactly this situation. This coverage steps in when the at-fault driver cannot pay what you are owed.
Texas law sets minimum bodily injury liability limits at $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, but these amounts often fall far short of covering serious injuries.[11] Our attorneys can review your insurance policy to identify all available sources of compensation and help you understand how to pursue a claim against your own insurer if necessary. Even when the at-fault driver has no money, we work to find every possible avenue to get you the compensation you need.
Rideshare accidents can be more complicated than typical car accidents because multiple insurance policies may apply depending on the circumstances. Both Uber and Lyft carry liability insurance that covers accidents involving their drivers, but the amount of coverage available depends on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, on the way to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger at the time of the accident.
These cases require careful investigation to determine which insurance policies apply and how much coverage is available. Our attorneys have experience handling rideshare accident claims and know how to navigate the specific challenges these cases present. We identify all potentially responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation from every available source.
Yes, you have the right to change attorneys at any time if you are unhappy with your current representation. Some people worry about how fees will be handled or whether switching will hurt their case, but these concerns should not keep you in a relationship with a lawyer who is not meeting your needs. Your case belongs to you, not your attorney.
If you are considering switching to Jim Adler & Associates, we can explain how the transition works and what to expect regarding fees. In most situations, your previous attorney will have a lien for the work they performed, which gets resolved when your case settles. The most important thing is that you have a legal team you trust fighting for the best possible outcome.
Bringing relevant documents to your consultation helps us understand your situation more quickly and give you better guidance. If you have them available, consider bringing the police report or crash report, photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, contact information for any witnesses, medical records and bills related to your injuries, correspondence from insurance companies, and documentation of any lost wages.
Do not worry if you do not have all of these items. We can still evaluate your case and explain your options based on what you know about your accident. The most important thing is to reach out and start the conversation. Our Austin personal injury attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you understand what comes next.
After an accident in Austin, you need a team that knows how to take on insurance companies and fight for the compensation your family deserves. Jim Adler & Associates steps in to secure evidence, handle insurance communications, and build your case while you focus on recovery. We fight 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. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.* Personal injury cases move fast, and early action protects your rights and preserves critical evidence. The Texas Hammer® has been standing up for injured Texans for more than 50 years, and we are ready to stand up for you, too. If an accident turned your life upside down in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, call us today and let our team carry the legal burden so you can focus on healing.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “FastStats – Unintentional Injuries.” https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm
[2] Insurance Research Council. (1999). Paying for auto injuries: A consumer panel survey of auto accident victims. Insurance Research Council.
[3] Texas Department of Transportation, Crash Records Information System (CRIS), Travis County Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics. https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records/motor-vehicle-crash-statistics.html
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Facts About Falls,” Older Adult Fall Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “TBI Data,” Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/index.html
[6] Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, “Fatal Occupational Injuries in Texas.” https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/safety/sis/documents/2023fatalrpt.pdf
[7] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 41, “Damages.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.41.htm
[8] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 71, “Wrongful Death; Survival.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.71.htm
[9] 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
[10] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 33, Section 33.001, “Proportionate Responsibility.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm
[11] Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 601, Section 601.072, “Minimum Amounts of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Coverage.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.601.htm
[12] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 101, “Tort Claims.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.101.htm
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