Car accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries in Texas. In the most recent year for which data is available, the Texas Department of Transportation reports that there were nearly 15,000 vehicle accidents that caused serious injuries, harming 18,218 people. Additionally, there wasn’t a single day without a traffic fatality.

If you got hurt in an auto accident on Ben White Boulevard or elsewhere in the greater Austin area, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other related personal losses. An Austin car accident lawyer from The Patel Firm can prepare a robust claim on your behalf and seek the full financial recovery you deserve from the at-fault driver or other responsible party.

Let us manage your car accident claim while you focus on healing. Contact us today to get started with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

How an Austin Car Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Claim

You likely face an uphill battle after a car crash. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may be dealing with frequent doctor appointments, multiple surgeries, rehab, and other tests of your physical and mental abilities. You have the right to pursue a vehicle accident claim, but the process of doing so may feel like more than you can handle right now.

This is where a skilled Austin car accident attorney from The Patel Firm can make a difference in your life. We can take the entire process of preparing and pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver off your plate. Our team can do the following:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident
  • Identify all potentially liable parties
  • File your claim within the filing period
  • Manage communications and negotiations with insurance representatives
  • If necessary, take your case to court and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve

You deserve time and space to focus on your physical recovery. Leave the complex insurance and legal procedures to The Patel Firm. Contact us today to speak with a car accident attorney in Austin. Your case review is free and fully confidential.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

After a car wreck on US-290, the MoPac Expressway, or another road in Austin, your health and safety should always come first. Call 911 and wait for emergency responders to arrive. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic, exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses, and take photos of the scene, but avoid saying anything that might be taken as an admission of fault.

Following that, seek medical care right away, even if you don’t feel injured. By doing so, a medical professional can assess whether you have injuries that could manifest later on and build a medical record for them.

In the days and weeks after the accident, take the following steps to protect your right to compensation:

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions throughout your recovery.
  • Notify your insurance company about the accident.
  • Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and repair estimates.
  • Avoid posting about the crash on social media.
  • Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
  • Track time missed from work and other financial losses.
  • Contact a car accident lawyer in Austin for guidance.

How Our Lawyers Investigate Car Accident Cases

A thorough investigation lays the foundation for a strong car accident case. It preserves key details and builds a clear picture of what happened and who was responsible. Without it, your claim may rest on incomplete or misleading information that benefits the insurer, not you. Because car accident evidence can quickly deteriorate, it’s important to start the process right away, before skid marks disappear and damaged vehicles are repaired or scrapped. Additionally, it helps to get out ahead of insurance companies, which are likely to act quickly to minimize payouts.

At The Patel Firm, our Austin car accident lawyers take a detailed, hands-on approach to every investigation. We gather police reports, review surveillance and dashcam footage, interview witnesses, analyze vehicle damage, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to gain insight into exactly how the accident occurred. Our team also closely examines medical records to establish a direct connection between your injuries and the crash.

Every step we take helps us develop the strongest possible case for full car accident compensation. Reach out today to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation and discover how we can protect your rights.

What Compensation Could I Recover in a Car Accident Claim?

The compensation you recover through a car accident lawsuit is meant to make you financially whole after suffering losses caused by another driver’s carelessness or wrongdoing.

Depending on the circumstances, you may recover damages (the legal term for the compensation you would receive after an auto accident to make up for your losses) through your claim or lawsuit to cover the costs of treatment, property damage, and the broader impact the crash has on your life.

Common compensable damages include the following:

  • Medical bills
  • Future medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disability or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage, including vehicle repair/replacement

Who Could Be Responsible for a Car Wreck in Austin?

Liability in an auto wreck case is usually based on negligence, or another party’s failure to act with reasonable care. To recover compensation, you must show that someone else’s behavior caused your injuries. While one driver is often to blame, some crashes involve multiple responsible parties, and identifying each of them is key to maximizing your recovery.

Potentially liable parties in an Austin motor vehicle accident may include any or a combination of the following:

  • Another driver who violated traffic laws or drove under the influence
  • A vehicle manufacturer that produced a defective part or an unsafe vehicle
  • An employer whose worker caused a crash while driving a company vehicle
  • A government agency that failed to maintain safe road conditions or traffic signals
  • A mechanic or repair shop that performed faulty repairs leading to a malfunction
  • A rideshare or delivery company that neglected to screen or supervise its drivers

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partly at Fault for a Car Accident?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. It means you can recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the crash as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. However, the amount you receive will be proportionately reduced. As an example, if you’re found to be 20 percent at fault and your case is worth $100,000, your award is reduced by 20 percent, which would make the payout $80,000.

Insurers often try to shift blame to take advantage of this rule and minimize their payouts, which makes it all the more important to have an attorney on your side. An experienced Austin car accident lawyer can collect evidence to challenge unfair fault claims, negotiate with insurers, and present a clear case showing how the other party’s negligence caused your injuries. This helps protect your right to full and fair compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas law, the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the crash. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation for your car accident injury in court. Certain exceptions may shorten or extend the deadline, such as cases involving government entities or minors.

While two years can seem like a long time, it’s best to act quickly after an accident because evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories fade over time. Contacting a car accident attorney in Austin as soon as possible after your crash allows them to gather the evidence necessary to build your case and file all necessary paperwork before important legal deadlines expire.

Get in touch with The Patel Firm today for your free, confidential consultation so we can review your case. If we can help, our lawyers will begin immediately, with no upfront costs to you.

What Are Common Types and Causes of Car Crashes?

Car accidents happen in many different ways, but what they often have in common is that they result from someone’s careless or reckless actions. Some of the most common types of crashes include the following:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • Head-on impacts
  • T-bone or side-impact accidents
  • Rollovers
  • Multi-vehicle pileups
  • Crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcycles

While different types of accidents share certain common characteristics, they can also present unique challenges. For example, uninsured accidents, drunk driving accidents, Uber/Lyft accidents, and hit-and-run accidents involve complex issues related to insurance, third-party liability, and other factors that emphasize the importance of having skilled and experienced legal representation.

Many different factors can contribute to a car accident, and understanding the cause helps identify who should be held responsible. Common causes of car crashes include the following:

  • Distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel
  • Speeding
  • Drunk or drug-impaired driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Following too closely
  • Unsafe lane changes or turns
  • Failure to yield
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Defective vehicle parts
  • Poor weather or visibility
  • Roadway hazards or maintenance issues
  • Aggressive or reckless driving

What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to life-altering trauma. Common auto accident injuries include the following:

  • Whiplash
  • Fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Burns
  • Lacerations and bruising

The type and severity of your injuries play a major role in determining the value of your claim. More serious or long-term injuries typically lead to higher medical costs, longer recovery times, and greater overall compensation.

Talk to an Austin Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you suffered injuries in an auto collision on I-35, US-183, or a local roadway in the Greater Austin area, you need the strong support of a car accident law firm with a successful track record of recovering compensation for its clients.

The Patel Firm provides personalized and communicative legal representation to injured people in Austin and throughout Texas. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and respond quickly to your questions and concerns. You pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your case. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.