Austin Car Accident Lawyer
Home » Austin Car Accident Lawyer
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, over 2.5 million people are injured and over 40,000 killed each year on our nation’s roadways. Sadly, Texas accounts for ten percent of the nation’s fatalities from auto accidents and car wrecks.
At Schuelke Law, we have successfully represented numerous individuals in auto accident claims. Unlike many personal injury attorneys who handle a high volume of car wrecks in a “mill” practice, we strive to represent only a few individuals and provide them the best service possible. And we also strive to stay on top of the law. Car wreck litigation features a number of surprising complications, and you want an attorney who knows, for instance, the latest arguments in the “paid and incurred” fight, what arguments best support extra-contractual damages in uninsured/underinsured motorist litigation, and what arguments can best be used to minimize any subrogation liens out there.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motor vehicle collision, having a dedicated and experienced Austin car accident lawyer by your side could make the difference between accepting a low offer and securing fair compensation. Our firm represents injured people throughout Central Texas. Because we only represent individuals—not insurance companies—you receive guidance focused entirely on your recovery and your long-term interests.
To find out more about the process, please call us for a consultation (512-337-3284) or fill out the “Quick Case Inquiry” form on this site. Otherwise, to help you understand this process, we have included links to several pieces of information.
We take pride in protecting clients from insurance companies that seek to take advantage of them. To this end, we believe knowledge is key. We’ve written our FREE book, HOLDING WRONGDOERS ACCOUNTABLE: Avoiding Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Accident Claim. We want you to have this information even if you don’t intend to hire an Austin auto accident lawyer (and the book even discusses when you might be better off without a lawyer) or if you have already hired another lawyer. So if you or a friend or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck, please order a copy of this book.
We’ve also provided a lot of helpful information on this website. For example, our car wreck video series answers a number of typical questions that arise in car wreck cases. We also have tips on resolving your property damage claims, information on personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage, tips for being a good client to help handle the claim, and information on the general steps in a personal injury claim.
Our city’s rapid growth has led to heavier traffic on corridors such as I-35, MoPac Expressway (Loop 1), U.S. 183, and State Highway 71, as well as increased congestion on neighborhood streets throughout Travis and Williamson counties. Collisions in these areas often involve more than simple fault determinations. Multi-vehicle crashes, construction-zone accidents, rideshare traffic, and commercial delivery vehicles frequently raise questions about shared liability, employer responsibility, and overlapping insurance policies.
In auto accident claims, courts evaluate fault under the state’s modified comparative negligence system. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, an injured person can recover damages only if the court finds them to be 50 percent or less responsible for the crash, and courts reduce any recovery by their percentage of fault. Insurance companies routinely use this rule to argue that injured drivers share blame, even in rear-end or intersection collisions. Understanding how courts, legal professionals, and insurance companies assess fault in auto crashes is critical when determining whether a claim is viable and how much compensation may be available. An Austin car wreck attorney could help challenge any accusations of fault to maximize your recovery.
Most car accident claims require more than submitting a repair estimate and medical bills. Evidence often includes:
In crashes involving commercial or fleet vehicles, additional documents such as driver logs, maintenance records, and company insurance policies may also be relevant.
Damages in these cases commonly include emergency and follow-up medical care, physical therapy, lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, and non-economic losses such as physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment (compensation for daily limitations caused by the injuries). State law generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. But we want to start representing you well before those deadlines. Waiting too long can make it harder to locate witnesses, obtain records, or preserve other evidence that attorneys need to support your car accident claim in Austin.
If you have suffered injuries in a motor vehicle collision, you deserve an attorney who will listen, answer your questions, and advocate for the compensation you need to move forward. For more information or to discuss your potential case, contact our office to speak to an Austin car accident lawyer today. Schuelke Law limits its caseload so that every client receives focused attention throughout the claims process. We could guide you through each step, from the first consultation to negotiation and, if necessary, litigation.
We offer free consultations and handle auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay for attorney’s fees unless we win your case.