This blog was posted by Shaw-Cowart Personal Injury Lawyer in Austin, representing clients in Austin and the surrounding areas
What to Do After a Car Accident in Austin
A car accident in Austin starts a legal clock the moment the crash happens. Texas law gives most injury victims two years from the date of the wreck to file a claim, under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. The Austin car accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart use that window to gather evidence, document injuries, and build a claim before key proof disappears. Knowing the right steps early protects both your health and your right to recover.
Austin roads are among the busiest in Texas, and the danger is constant. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that the state has not recorded a single day without a traffic death since November 7, 2000 — more than two decades of daily fatalities (TxDOT, End the Streak TX). For drivers in Travis County, that statistic is a reminder that even an ordinary commute carries real risk. Austin car accident attorneys see the aftermath every day: medical bills, missed work, and insurance companies that move fast to limit what they pay.
What you do in the first hours and days shapes everything that follows. The right actions preserve evidence and strengthen your claim; the wrong ones hand the insurance company reasons to deny it. Austin car accident attorneys consistently point to the same early mistakes — skipping medical care, admitting fault at the scene, and giving recorded statements — as the choices that quietly sink otherwise strong cases. The steps below explain what to do instead.
Get Medical Care Right Away
Prompt medical care is the single most important step after a crash. Adrenaline masks pain, and serious injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue damage often show no symptoms for hours or days. Seeing a doctor immediately creates a medical record that ties your injuries directly to the accident. Without that record, an insurer will argue your injuries came from something else, and that argument is far harder to beat weeks later.
Document the Scene
Evidence at the scene is the foundation of your claim, and it vanishes quickly. If you are physically able, photograph vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Collect the other driver’s name, insurance information, and contact details for witnesses. Call 911 so officers create an official crash report — that document carries weight with insurers and courts because it records the responding officer’s neutral account of what happened.
Be Careful What You Say
Your words at the scene can be used against you. A simple apology or an offhand “I didn’t see them” can be treated as an admission of fault, even when the other driver caused the crash. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001: if you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you recover nothing. Stick to the facts with police, and let your attorney handle conversations about fault.
Do Not Give the Insurance Company a Recorded Statement
The other driver’s insurance adjuster is not on your side. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that lead you into statements that reduce your payout, and Texas law does not require you to give the other side a recorded statement. A friendly “How are you feeling?” can become evidence that your injuries are minor. The safest response is to decline politely and refer the adjuster to your attorney, who can communicate on your behalf without putting your claim at risk.
Understand What Your Claim May Be Worth
A car accident claim is worth more than the dent in your bumper. Under Texas law, an injured driver can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment, property damage, and pain and suffering. The value depends on the severity of your injuries and how the crash affects your ability to work and live. Insurers often make a fast, low offer before the full extent of an injury is known — once you accept and sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim, even if your condition worsens.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Time works against accident victims. Surveillance footage is overwritten, skid marks fade, witnesses forget, and vehicles get repaired or scrapped. The two-year filing deadline is the outer limit, not a target — the strongest cases are built in the first weeks, while evidence is fresh. Austin car accident attorneys move early to send preservation letters, secure footage, and consult accident-reconstruction experts before that proof is gone.
Common Causes of Austin Car Accidents
Most Austin crashes trace back to a handful of preventable behaviors. Recognizing them helps establish how a collision happened and who is responsible:
- Distracted driving — texting, navigation apps, and phone use that pull attention from the road.
- Speeding — higher speeds on I-35, MoPac, and US-183 leave less time to react and cause more severe injuries.
- Impaired driving — alcohol and drugs remain a leading factor in fatal Texas crashes.
- Failure to yield and running red lights — common causes of intersection collisions across the city.
- Fatigue — drowsy driving that slows reaction time as much as alcohol.
How Shaw Cowart Helps Austin Crash Victims
The right legal team levels a fight that is otherwise lopsided. Insurance companies have lawyers and adjusters working to minimize your claim from the first phone call. Shaw Cowart investigates the crash, handles the insurers, calculates the true value of your losses, and pushes for full compensation — so you can focus on recovering. The firm works on a contingency basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless and until your case is won.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash, talk to the Austin car accident attorneys at Shaw Cowart before you speak with an insurance adjuster. The consultation is free, and the call costs you nothing. Contact Shaw Cowart today at [PHONE] to learn what your claim may be worth and how to protect your rights under Texas law.