Austin Car Accident Attorney

Baker Matthews Law Handles All Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents happen every day, causing injury and property damage. In Austin, we see 10,000+ auto accidents per year, and this has been a recurring trend each year. Drunk driving, serious injuries, and fatalities are all too common. Despite “Vision Zero’s” efforts to eliminate traffic injuries and deaths in Austin, car accidents continue to happen. Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and intersection accidents happen all too often. Side-impact, lane change, and rollover accidents can be devastating. Speeding and hit-and-run incidents add to the danger, and multi-vehicle collisions make matters even worse.

Knowing the dangers and challenges associated with driving, our trusted car accident attorneys are here to help. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident in Austin, give us a call. We will listen to you, investigate your case, and help you understand what your case is worth. Our initial consultations are always free and confidential.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas?

Knowing what steps to take immediately after an accident is crucial for protecting your rights and securing compensation. The attorneys at Baker Matthews Law can help you navigate the steps following an accident.

Here’s a general breakdown of the key actions to take following an accident:

• Check for Injuries: Look after yourself and the passengers first. Call 911 immediately if anyone needs medical attention. Get medical help.
• Police Report: Texas law requires a police report for auto accidents with injuries, fatalities, or over $1,000 in damage. The police will create the official record of the accident, which can be crucial evidence later.
• Exchange Information: Get names, phone numbers, and driver’s licenses from everyone involved, including passengers. Collect the insurance information from all vehicles involved.
• Photograph the Scene: Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, and any injuries. Photos can be vital evidence to show the extent of the damage and support your claims.
• Seek Medical Attention: Adrenaline can mask injuries. Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel pain initially. A doctor’s evaluation creates a medical record linking your injuries to the auto accident.
• Contact a Car Accident Attorney: An experienced car accident attorney will ensure you comply with your insurance policy terms and file any claims correctly. Do not attempt to do this on your own. Involve an attorney to protect your rights and interests.

Insurance Company Tactics

Car accident cases involving serious injuries or death can, and do, take time to resolve. From the onset, and throughout the claims process, insurance companies often will use strategies to deny, delay, or defend against car accident claims. This is where an experienced Austin car accident attorney can help. Do not face the aftermath of a serious accident alone. You need a good attorney that will support you, take charge of your case, and help you make a full and fair recovery.

Common Car Accident Injuries in Austin

Injuries from car accidents can range from minor cuts and scrapes to catastrophic and life altering injuries. In Austin, it’s common to see traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or broken bones in auto accidents. Car accidents also cause lasting psychological effects.

• Head and Brain Trauma: This includes concussions, which can cause headaches, dizziness, and memory problems. A more severe and common injury in auto accidents is traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash, a soft tissue condition affecting the neck, is a common car accident injury. However, more serious spinal cord damage can also occur.
• Broken Bones: The force of a collision can cause fractures in any bone, with legs, arms, and ribs being especially vulnerable.
• Other Injuries: Burns, cuts, and muscle sprains are also frequent consequences of car accidents. In the most tragic cases, a car wreck can result in paralysis, disfigurement, loss of limbs, or death.

Car Accident Compensation in Texas: What You Deserve

Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence” system. For instance, if you are 20% at fault, your damages are reduced by 20%. But if you are over 51% at fault, Texas law bars you from any compensation.

• Medical Bills: Compensation can cover past, present, and future medical expenses related to your injuries.
• Lost Wages: You can recover compensation for lost income due to time missed from work.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain caused by the accident.
• Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of your damaged vehicle.
• Other Potential Damages: Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might also be eligible for compensation for long-term care, disability, or loss of earning capacity.

One important thing to know about most personal injury cases in Texas, is that the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. This means you generally have two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. For this reason, it’s important not to delay talking to an attorney about your accident.