Were you injured in a car accident in Austin, Texas? If so, Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Contact our Austin car accident lawyers today at (512) 503-4878 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our experienced team understands the challenges accident victims face, from mounting medical bills to lost wages and emotional stress. We’re here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers for Help After a Car Accident in Austin, TX?
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your recovery. At Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers, we bring 32 years of combined experience to every case we handle. Our seasoned Austin personal injury lawyers have successfully represented countless clients, recovering millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims and their families.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a crash can take, and we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized representation. From investigating the accident and negotiating with insurance companies to preparing your case for trial if needed, our team is ready to fight for your rights every step of the way.
With a proven record of success and a reputation for client-focused advocacy, our firm is the trusted choice for injury victims throughout Austin, TX. Contact our Austin, TX law firm today for a free case review.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer provides critical advantages that can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Here’s why:
- Level the playing field: Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys whose job is to minimize payouts. A car accident lawyer understands their tactics and can push back, ensuring you are not taken advantage of during negotiations or pressured into accepting an unfair settlement.
- Gain access to experts and professional resources: Serious car accident claims often require testimony from medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, or financial professionals who can project long-term losses. An attorney has the connections and resources to bring in these experts and strengthen your case with credible, persuasive evidence.
- Maximize your compensation: Without legal guidance, you might only consider immediate expenses, like hospital bills or car repairs. A skilled lawyer evaluates the full picture, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. This ensures you pursue the maximum compensation available.
- Focus on recovery: Recovering from an accident takes time and energy. Handling insurance calls, gathering evidence, and navigating deadlines can quickly become overwhelming. By hiring a lawyer, you can focus on healing while knowing your claim is in capable hands.
Don’t risk leaving money on the table—work with an experienced attorney who will fight for you.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Austin?
The moments after a crash can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
After a car accident in Austin, you should:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance
- Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance details
- Take photos of the vehicles, scene, and any visible injuries
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Notify your insurance company about the crash
- Avoid making statements to the other driver’s insurer before speaking with a lawyer
By following these steps, you’ll not only safeguard your well-being but also strengthen any potential injury claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through the next steps and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Case?
The amount of compensation you may recover after a car accident depends on the unique facts of your case. Factors such as the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, the length of your recovery, and the impact on your ability to work all play an important role in determining value.
It’s important to understand that no two car accident cases are alike. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but an experienced car accident lawyer can evaluate your case, work with experts to assess your damages, and fight to ensure you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What Damages Are Available to Austin Car Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Austin, you may be entitled to different types of compensation depending on the nature of your losses. These damages are generally divided into economic, non-economic, and, in rare cases, punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial costs directly related to your accident. These are measurable losses supported by bills, receipts, or records.
Common examples include:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior work
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair or replacement
Economic damages aim to restore you financially to where you were before the crash, ensuring that the cost of your medical care, lost income, and other tangible losses do not fall on you but on the party responsible for the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible, but very real losses caused by the accident.
These are harder to measure but just as important, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship or support in serious cases
These damages recognize the human impact of an accident beyond the financial numbers, providing compensation for the ways your injuries affect your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being in ways that cannot be captured on a bill or receipt.
Punitive Damages
While less common, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the at-fault driver’s conduct was especially reckless, such as drunk driving or road rage. Punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoers and deter similar dangerous behavior in the future.
By pursuing all categories of damages available, an experienced Austin car accident lawyer can help you seek the fullest possible compensation for your injuries and losses.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault for a Car Accident in Texas?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation if you were partly to blame for a car accident in Texas. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that as long as you are found less than 51% at fault for the crash, you can pursue damages from the other driver. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages total $100,000 but you are found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you would be barred from recovering anything.
Because insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims to minimize payouts, having an experienced Texas car accident lawyer on your side is critical. Your attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and fight to limit the amount of fault assigned to you so you can maximize your recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most car accident lawsuits is two years from the date of the crash. This deadline applies to claims for personal injury and property damage. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time frame, you may lose your right to recover compensation altogether, no matter how strong your case may be.
There are limited exceptions that can affect this deadline, such as cases involving minors or government entities. Because valuable evidence can fade quickly and insurance companies often use delays to their advantage, it’s important to act promptly.
Speaking with an experienced Texas car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash helps ensure your claim is filed on time and your rights are fully protected.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Austin?
At Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and no hourly rates. Instead, your attorney only collects a fee if they successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. The fee is usually a percentage of your recovery, agreed upon before representation begins.
This arrangement ensures that accident victims, regardless of their financial situation, can access quality legal representation. It also motivates your lawyer to work tirelessly on your behalf, since their payment depends on the outcome of your case. With this system, you can focus on healing without worrying about how to afford legal help.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
After a car accident, you may be dealing with physical pain, emotional stress, and mounting financial pressure. Trying to handle the insurance companies and legal process on your own can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where an experienced car accident lawyer comes in.
Your attorney can take on the complex legal work, protect your rights, and fight to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the many ways a car accident lawyer can help you:
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation – Your lawyer will gather police reports, witness statements, medical records, and any available photos or video evidence to build a strong case. They may also work with accident reconstruction experts to prove how the crash occurred.
- Determine Liability – In some accidents, more than one party may be responsible, such as another driver, a trucking company, or even a vehicle manufacturer. Your attorney will identify all liable parties to maximize your recovery.
- Calculate the Full Value of Your Damages – A lawyer will go beyond your immediate medical bills and car repairs. They will account for future medical needs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and intangible losses like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
- Handle Insurance Company Negotiations – Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Your attorney knows their tactics and will negotiate aggressively to ensure you’re not pressured into accepting less than you deserve.
- Represent You in Court – In many instances, an injured party can benefit from filing a lawsuit early on in a claim. Your lawyer will research applicable law and file your lawsuit. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can present your case before a judge and jury, advocating for the compensation you are entitled to.
- Provide Guidance and Support – Beyond the legal work, an experienced attorney can give you peace of mind, answer your questions, and guide you through each step of the claims process.
With a dedicated car accident lawyer on your side, you won’t have to face the legal system or powerful insurance companies alone. Instead, you can focus on your recovery while your attorney fights to protect your rights and secure the maximum compensation available.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Most car accident cases in Texas are resolved through settlements rather than trials. Insurance companies usually prefer to avoid the time and expense of going to court, and many victims can secure fair compensation through skilled negotiation. A settlement also allows you to receive money faster and avoid the stress of a lengthy trial process.
That said, some cases do go to trial—particularly when liability is disputed, the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, or the damages are especially high. In these situations, having an experienced car accident trial lawyer is critical.
Your attorney will prepare your case thoroughly, present compelling evidence, and advocate for your best interests in front of a judge or jury. While a favorable trial result is never guaranteed, working with a lawyer who is ready and willing to go to court gives you the strongest chance at full and fair compensation.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Car accidents can happen in many different ways, and each type of crash presents unique challenges when it comes to proving fault and pursuing compensation.
At our firm, we have experience handling a wide range of accident claims, including the following:
Speeding Accidents
When drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for road conditions, they put everyone at risk. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the severity of impact, often leading to catastrophic injuries.
Distracted Driving Accidents
From texting to adjusting a GPS, distracted driving is a leading cause of collisions in Austin. Even a few seconds of inattention can result in a rear-end crash or intersection accident.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Victims of hit-and-run crashes often face added stress when the at-fault driver flees the scene. Our team works to identify the driver whenever possible and explores other avenues of compensation, such as uninsured motorist coverage.
Highway Crashes
Collisions on busy highways like I-35 and Mopac often involve high speeds and multiple vehicles. These crashes can cause severe injuries, making it vital to have a lawyer who understands how to investigate complex multi-vehicle accidents.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end accidents are among the most common in Austin, often caused by tailgating or distracted driving. While some rear-end crashes result in minor damage, others can cause serious injuries like whiplash, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the deadliest types of accidents. They typically occur when a driver crosses the center line or drives the wrong way, often due to impairment or distraction. Victims frequently suffer life-altering or fatal injuries.
Intersection Accidents
Intersections are common sites for collisions, especially when drivers run red lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way. These accidents often lead to dangerous T-bone impacts.
DUI Accidents
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious and preventable cause of crashes in Austin. DUI accidents frequently involve reckless behavior and high speeds, leaving victims with devastating injuries.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering conditions that require long-term care. The type and severity of injuries often depend on the force of impact, the speed of the vehicles, and the location of the collision.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Cuts, lacerations, and scarring
- Emotional trauma, including anxiety and PTSD
No matter the type of injury, prompt medical attention is critical both for your health and to document your condition for a future legal claim. With our representation after a collision, you can focus on your recovery while we fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents rarely happen by chance—most are caused by preventable driver mistakes or unsafe behaviors. Understanding the leading causes of crashes can help you stay alert on the road and know when another driver may be liable for your injuries.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a GPS
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Fatigue or drowsy driving
Recognizing these common causes highlights just how often negligence leads to serious collisions. If another driver’s careless actions caused your accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your losses.
Austin Car Accident Statistics
Crash data for Austin is tracked through the city’s official Vision Zero program and its open data portal, which aggregates reports of traffic collisions within Austin’s full-purpose jurisdiction.
According to the data, there have already been over 8,000 traffic accidents in Austin in 2025, including 75 fatalities and nearly 200 serious injuries. These statistics underscore how dangerous road travel remains in Austin—not just in terms of sheer volume of collisions, but in the serious injuries and fatalities that result.
While Austin has implemented safety initiatives like redesigned intersections, speed management, and improved pedestrian crossings, the data makes it clear that driver negligence—such as distracted driving, speeding, and impairment—remains the leading factor behind most collisions.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Austin
In Austin, certain intersections consistently stand out as high-risk zones where crashes occur with alarming regularity. One notably dangerous junction is Lamar Boulevard and Parmer Lane, which regularly sees heavy traffic, multiple turning lanes, and frequent lane changes.
Other hotspots include West Slaughter Lane at Manchaca Road, Lamar at Rundberg, and I-35 at the U.S. 183 interchange, all of which have been highlighted as Austin’s most collision-prone spots.
These intersections often combine multiple risk factors: heavy vehicle flows, complex turning patterns, insufficient signal timing, and high speeds. Drivers navigating these areas must be especially alert—left-turning motorists, merging traffic, and pedestrians all amplify the danger.
If you’re injured in a crash at one of these high-risk intersections, having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference. An attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to secure the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Call Our Austin Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
Don’t face the aftermath of a car accident alone. The legal team at Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through every step of the process, protect your rights, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
With decades of combined experience and a proven record of results, we are ready to stand up to insurance companies and advocate for you. Call our Austin car accident attorneys today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery and justice.