Did you know that Austin, Texas, set a new record high for fatal car crashes just last year? In 2022 alone, residents reported a total of 116 fatal crashes, which resulted in 122 deaths. The annual number of fatal crashes that occur in the city has risen gradually since 2018. As the number of car accidents continues to increase, it’s more important than ever to know who to call if you’re involved in one. Steinger, Greene & Feiner is the car accident lawyer that Austin residents trust to fight for their rights and secure the compensation they need.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by the negligent or reckless acts of another driver, don’t hesitate to contact us. We have the experience and wealth of resources it takes to win your case. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of hiring a skilled car accident attorney to represent your case.
Why You Need an Austin Car Accident Lawyer
From gathering sufficient evidence to proving liability, navigating the aftermath of a car accident alone is full of challenges. Insurance companies try to lowball you, deadlines approach quicker than you think, and legal jargon is nearly impossible to understand.
When you have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, these challenges suddenly fade. The Austin car accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner have what it takes to handle your case and deliver the results you want. We’re experts in Austin traffic and car accident laws, plus we have local resources to build a strong case and litigate with insurance companies that try to cheat you out of the compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the other ways that our lawyers fight for your rights:
- Represent you in court
- Pursue justice
- Maximize your compensation
- Prevent insurers from lowballing you
- File paperwork
- Know your case inside and out
- Gather evidence
- File motions
- Oversee all communication
- Negotiate a fair settlement
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Austin
With years of experience representing car accident victims in Austin, our lawyers know a thing or two about their causes and outcomes. Take a look below at the most common causes of Austin car accidents and the injuries that result from them.
Common Causes
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Ignoring the rules of the road
- Failure to yield
- Driving recklessly
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving with defective or malfunctioning equipment
- Driving in inclement weather or poor road conditions
Common Injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputated limbs
- Bruises and lacerations
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
What to Do After a Car Accident in Austin
Knowing how to respond when you get in a car accident can be stressful. When in doubt, follow our 10-step guide on what to do after a car accident in Austin.
- Check for Injuries
Before speaking with other drivers involved in the accident or calling the police, it’s crucial that you check for any preliminary injuries. The last thing you want to do is make any cuts, bruises, or broken bones worse than they already are by moving around too soon.
- Get Emergency Medical Care
If you sustained any injuries, stay put in your vehicle until emergency help arrives. If you don’t sustain visible injuries, tend to other drivers and passengers to see who might need medical attention.
- Notify the Police
Call the local police to report the accident. Depending on the severity of the crash, officers may arrive at the scene to gather witness statements and fill out a police report. Ask for a copy of the police report, which can be used as evidence in your car accident claim.
If the accident is relatively minor, officers may not respond. In this case, gather your own witness statements, and file an accident report through the local DMV.
- Gather Evidence
Adequate evidence is essential to determine fault and validate your claim. Get photos and videos of the crash scene, including vehicles and nearby street signs. Retake any photos or videos that are blurry or were captured at a poor angle.
Don’t forget to gather witness statements from other drivers, passengers, and any bystanders if police officers don’t respond. Your attorney and insurance company may need to contact these individuals later to help determine fault and calculate damages.
- Exchange Information
Exchange all necessary information with other drivers involved in the accident. Here’s everything you need to provide and obtain.
- Personal information: name, phone number, email address, home address
- Vehicle information: car make, model, year, license plate number, VIN
- Insurance information: insurance company name, policy type, policy number
- Move Your Vehicle
If the accident takes place on a highway, move your vehicle to the shoulder. If it takes place on a residential road, move it to a nearby parking lot or driveway. Doing so will put you out of harm’s way, protect your vehicle from further damage, and restore the flow of traffic. If your vehicle sustained severe damage or it’s not safe to move it due to oncoming traffic, stay put until help arrives.
- Seek Medical Care
Not all injuries present themselves immediately after an accident occurs. Some appear days or even weeks later. If this happens and you didn’t seek medical care directly following the accident, that information can be used to disprove your claim that the accident caused by another party resulted in your injuries.
When you leave the scene of the crash, go to either an urgent care clinic or your primary care doctor to receive a thorough physical exam. Be sure to ask for a copy of any scans taken, notes that the doctor recorded, and the bill outlining the cost of services rendered. Your attorney will use this information to secure maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Notify Your Insurance Company
Next, notify your insurance provider of the accident. Other than the fact that most insurers require policyholders to report any accident to them, doing so increases your chances of having a successful claim. Some insurers require you to report an accident within 24 hours of it occurring, so report yours immediately to air on the side of caution. You should be able to report it online or over the phone.
Keep in mind that Texas law requires in-state drivers to hold an auto policy with minimum liability coverage, which is the minimum amount of insurance that a driver is legally required to have to cover personal and property damage caused by a car accident. This coverage offers two main benefits:
- It ensures that victims receive financial compensation to cover accident-related costs—like medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages—up to the policy limit. That way they aren’t held financially responsible for damages resulting from someone else’s negligence or recklessness.
- It protects the at-fault party from being sued by the victim for damages, as their insurance policy covers the related costs.
The minimum liability coverage for Texas drivers is $30,000 per person for personal injury—totaling up to $60,000 per accident—and $25,000 for property damage. This is also known as 30/60/25 coverage.
- Contact a Car Accident Attorney
We recommend contacting an Austin lawyer who specializes in car accident cases as soon as possible to accelerate the claims process. This individual will help you navigate the complexities of your case, offer sound legal advice, represent you in court, and handle all other aspects of your case.
- Speak With an Adjuster
After you file an accident claim with your insurance company, an adjuster will contact you to gather more information. An adjuster investigates insurance claims by interviewing the claimant and witnesses, consulting police and hospital records, and inspecting property damage to determine the extent of the insurance company’s liability. Your insurer and attorney will use this information to assess damages, determine fault, and calculate the value of your claim.
How Steinger, Greene & Feiner Can Help You
When you need a law firm you can trust to prioritize your needs, look no further than Steinger, Greene & Feiner. We’ll break down your car accident case step-by-step to ensure you understand your rights and legal options moving forward. We’re committed to holding the responsible party accountable for their actions that caused you harm. In fact, our proven legal strategies have helped dozens of car accident victims in Austin receive maximum financial compensation over the years. Our Austin car accident lawyers can do the same for you.
We even work on a contingency fee basis, meaning the amount we get paid is entirely contingent upon how much compensation we get you. That’s how you know we have your best interest at heart. We only win when you win. Let us fight for you to secure the compensation you need to cover the following costs:
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Ongoing care
- Car repairs and other property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
See What Our Clients Have to Say
Contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner for Expert Legal Help
Our personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your car accident case. We offer both face-to-face and virtual communication options so you can contact us in person or online—whatever you prefer.
Thanks to our no-fee guarantee, you don’t owe any legal fees until we win. That’s the Steinger, Greene & Feiner difference. Get started today with a free, no-obligation case evaluation to discuss the details of your case with an experienced car accident attorney. We look forward to walking alongside you in your fight for justice.