Find The Best Car Accident Lawyer in Austin, Texas (2024)

Austin’s art and music scene, balance of nature and urban life and overall quality of life are unparalleled. However, driving in Austin, Texas, can be miserable. Key areas such as Interstate 35, MoPac Expressway, and U.S. Highway 183 are notorious for heavy congestion and frequent collisions. High-traffic zones and ongoing construction projects also contribute to accidents. If you’ve been involved in an accident, you need an experienced Austin car accident lawyer.

ConsumerShield specializes in helping you understand the laws and navigate the legal system. This article will discuss when you might want to hire an Austin car accident attorney and what they can do to help you recover. If you’re ready to talk to an attorney, we can connect you with the best lawyers in your area.

• Most Austin car accident lawyers offer free, no-obligation consultations and contingency fee agreements–they only get paid if they recover compensation for you.

• Since every case is unique, an attorney uses their experience and knowledge to help you understand the value of your claim and recover what you deserve.

• An attorney is crucial for pursuing complicated claims involving company cars, delivery vehicles and drunk drivers.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Austin, Texas?

Most Austin car accident lawyers work on a "contingency" fee basis for personal injury cases. They take a percentage of any settlement or award they recover for you rather than charging you an hourly rate. After you hire an attorney, they can often help delay collection efforts from your medical providers, easing your financial burden and providing some immediate relief.

Contingency fee agreements allow individuals to access legal services without paying an up-front “retainer” for legal fees. These arrangements motivate attorneys to work diligently on your case and aim for a swift resolution since their payment depends on securing a favorable settlement or outcome for you. A set percentage also prevents them from overcharging.

Carefully read the terms of a lawyer’s proposed fee agreement before signing it. Pursuing a case can involve many different costs, such as fees for postage and couriers, filing and court costs, medical record retrieval, expert witnesses, court reporting and more. These can amount to thousands of dollars. Discuss who will be responsible for paying the costs related to your case and whether they will be paid as the case progresses or deducted from the settlement.

How to Hire an Austin, Texas Car Accident Attorney

If you’re looking for a lawyer, the biggest problem may be an abundance of choice! While there are many experienced Austin car accident law firms, finding the right one for your situation can help reduce the stress and uncertainty of pursuing your claim. Here are some tips to make the process easier.

• Your lawyer will be your partner in a stressful and deeply personal undertaking. You’ll need to work closely with them and feel comfortable telling them the whole truth, sharing personal medical information and discussing confidential matters. Choose someone you feel comfortable interacting with in this manner.

• Don’t feel pressured to choose the first lawyer you interview. Schedule several initial consultations and explain that you want to get several different perspectives on the strength of your case and your options for proceeding.

• Choose a lawyer who communicates well with you in the language and method you prefer (via text, telephone call, video chat, written status reports or other methods). Many law firms offer virtual consultations and communications, reducing the amount of time and disruption to your life. However, if you prefer in-person meetings, choose an attorney that is convenient and available when you need them.

In the end, trust your instincts. You need to be able to trust and confide in your attorney without reservations. The best accident attorney in Austin is the one who strikes the right balance between comfort, confidence and expertise.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Austin, Texas

Many factors influence the value of a car accident settlement. These include the severity and permanence of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident and the determination of fault. The strength of the evidence and how the case will play to a jury can also factor into the value of a settlement.

For example, imagine a drunk driver runs a red light, hits another car and flees the scene of the accident. Although the accident was minor and the victim has no physical injuries, she now suffers from PTSD and is unable to work at her previous job. These factors increase the value of her claim, and a jury will likely disapprove of the other driver’s dangerous actions, which may support a punitive damages award.

Unlike jury verdicts, many settlements are confidential, making it impossible to calculate the average settlement value for a car accident accurately. However, a survey of four large national law firms reported settlements for “minor” car accidents ranging from $3,000 to $25,000, with a median of $12,500 and an average of $12,875.

An experienced Austin auto accident attorney can draw on their years of relevant knowledge from handling and settling numerous cases to assess the value of your case and its settlement potential. They can help you negotiate a settlement that accurately reflects the full scope of your damages, using detailed medical records, expert opinions and accident reports to demonstrate the true extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Austin, Texas

Texas is an at-fault state for auto insurance claims. Victims must file claims with the other driver's insurance company. If the company accepts its insured was at fault, it is responsible for paying damages to the victims. However, companies often contest liability or challenge the scope of the victim’s claimed damages. In this situation, it may be best to file a lawsuit.

In Texas, you can recover damages for an accident even if you are partially at fault. However, your share of the fault must be 50% or less. This is called “modified comparative negligence.”

For example, if a judge or jury finds that two other drivers were each 30% at fault for a collision and you were 40% at fault, you can recover damages from the at-fault drivers. If each of them was 20% at fault and you were 60% at fault, you could not recover.

Your percentage of fault will reduce any damages awarded. For example, if you are awarded damages of $100,000 and found to be 40% at fault, your recovery would be $60,000 ($100,000 minus $40,000).

In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. Most car accident claims fall into this category. However, some types of claims (like those against public agencies) have much shorter time limits, while others (like defective product claims against car manufacturers) have longer statutes of limitations. Even if the time to file a claim has expired, you should consult with an experienced Austin car accident lawyer.

If you don't file a lawsuit within the time allowed by law, you will lose your right to recover compensation. It’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to ensure evidence is preserved and build the most robust case. Most Austin car accident attorneys offer injury victims free, no-obligation initial consultations.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Austin?

All drivers have a responsibility to try to prevent causing harm to others on the roadways. You can file an Austin car accident lawsuit if someone else is legally responsible for a car accident that causes you to suffer damages. This may include an at-fault driver, the employer of someone at fault for an accident or a third party who shares legal liability (such as the manufacturer of a defective vehicle part or a company that failed to maintain a roadway safely).

Many types of damages are recoverable in a car accident lawsuit. These include economic damages (such as medical bills, vehicle damage and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering). An Austin car accident lawyer can help you calculate the full value of your claim and how to pursue compensation for your damages.

While you can file a lawsuit without a lawyer, pursuing a case on your own is not recommended. There are many procedural requirements that litigants must comply with. Failing to do things correctly can result in your case being dismissed, ending your opportunity to recover compensation. Hiring an attorney with experience in the Travis County court system is highly recommended to prevent this situation.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Austin, Texas

Austin is one of many large cities in the U.S. that has adopted an aspirational Vision Zero plan to improve its infrastructure systems. The goal of this plan is to reduce accidents and eliminate traffic fatalities. Unfortunately, many different types of car accidents occur in the Austin metro area. The City of Austin provides access to real-time traffic incident reports on its website. Common types of Austin car accidents include:

• Company cars. Many Texas companies provide their employees with temporary or permanent vehicles. If the driver is “on the clock” when involved in an accident, their employer may also be liable. An Austin company car accident lawyer will look carefully at the circumstances and pursue all potential claims to recover the compensation you deserve.

• Rideshare accidents. If an accident occurs while you are riding in an Uber or Lyft or if you are in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, a rideshare accident lawyer can help you find out who is responsible and hold them accountable.

• Truck accidents. If you’re involved in an accident with a semi-trailer, commercial truck or other Austin delivery vehicle, accident lawyers with experience pursuing trucking claims can help you sort out liability and pursue your claims. These complicated cases can involve multiple insurance companies and defendants based all over the U.S.

• Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal, but victims injured by an impaired driver aren’t automatically compensated when a drunk driver goes to jail. An Austin auto accident attorney can help you pursue compensation if you were injured by a drunk or impaired driver.

• Escooter accidents. Under Texas state law, electric scooter operators must follow the same rules as bicycles. However, the City of Austin also regulates how and where Escooters can be used. Escooter riders suffer hundreds of injuries each year, leading to many costly hospital stays. If you've been in an Escooter accident, contact an attorney to discuss your options.

If you've been in any type of vehicle accident in the Austin area, contact an Austin car accident attorney. They will help you understand your options and pursue a claim for your damages.