In today’s digital age, social media is an integral part of daily life for many Austin residents. From sharing family moments on Facebook to posting workout selfies on Instagram, these platforms help us stay connected. However, if you’ve been involved in a car accident or personal injury claim in Austin, what seems like an innocent post could jeopardize your entire case. Insurance companies actively scour social media to find evidence that undermines your claims, often twisting harmless content to reduce or deny settlements. This practice has become increasingly common in Texas personal injury cases, where “social media car accident claim”…

Searching for an Austin personal injury attorney can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with medical bills, insurance adjusters, and uncertainty about your future. Texas personal injury law is complex, and the steps you take after an accident can directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Below are seven important things every injured person should know before choosing an Austin personal injury attorney. Understanding these points can help you protect your rights and make informed decisions about your case. 1. Experience With Austin-Specific Injury Cases Matters Not all personal injury cases are the same, and local experience matters more…

Car and truck accidents in Austin can leave lasting scars—not just physical, but emotional and psychological. Many survivors struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) long after the crash scene is cleared. Studies show that up to 39% of motor vehicle accident survivors develop PTSD, according to research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). For those involved in severe crashes, the risk is even higher, with symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and intense anxiety disrupting daily life. The good news? Texas law recognizes PTSD as a compensable injury in personal injury claims. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you…

Austin’s booming e-commerce scene has transformed our streets, with delivery vans from companies like Amazon and UPS becoming a constant presence. As online shopping surges, so does the number of commercial vehicles zipping through neighborhoods and highways. The Texas Tribune reports that more than 39,000 commercial motor vehicle crashes occurred statewide in 2024, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, including 546 fatal crashes. This represents a sharp increase tied to economic and population growth, bringing more delivery trucks onto Texas roads. In Austin specifically, the growth of online shopping has led to delivery vehicles operating on tight schedules, heightening the…

Construction zones are among the most hazardous areas on Texas roads, and Austin’s rapid growth has led to extensive highway projects that heighten these risks. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in 2024 nearly 28,000 traffic crashes occurred in work zones across Texas, resulting in 215 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries statewide. TxDOT also noted this represented an increase in fatalities from the prior year, underscoring how dangerous work zones remain for drivers, passengers, and workers alike. In Austin, major highway projects—most prominently the I-35 Capital Express program—have stretched for years and introduced complex and shifting traffic…

Many Austin drivers brush off a fender bender as insignificant, particularly when damage seems limited and no pain surfaces right away. However, even low-impact collisions can trigger substantial unforeseen expenses. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes cost the U.S. $340 billion in 2019, encompassing medical expenses, lost productivity, and property damage. These expenses can arise from medical treatments for injuries like whiplash, which can manifest hours or days later, alongside disruptions such as missed work and vehicle devaluation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that nonfatal crash injuries alone generated millions…

Austin’s weather can turn from sunny to catastrophic in minutes. When flash floods roll through, Central Texas sees an immediate surge in car accidents. According to a 2025 study analyzing Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) crash data, rainfall significantly increases crash risk on Texas roadways, with relative risk rising up to 1.5 times during moderate to heavy precipitation events compared to dry conditions—particularly in urban areas like Austin where flash flooding exacerbates hazards. This underscores how even routine rain can turn Austin’s roads into high-risk zones, amplifying the need to prove driver negligence in your claim. But here’s the part…

Getting into an Uber or Lyft in Austin feels routine, until it isn’t. In 2023, rideshare trips (Uber and Lyft) accounted for nearly 30% of inbound traffic to downtown Austin during peak hours, according to City of Austin mobility data. That’s thousands of trips every day on 6th Street, Rainey, South Congress, and along I-35. More rides mean more crashes, and when one happens, the insurance picture gets complicated fast. Both Uber and Lyft carry $1 million commercial liability policies in Texas, but that coverage only kicks in under certain conditions. If the at-fault driver was logged off, on a…

If you drive I-35 through Austin regularly, you already know how dangerous it can be. It’s one of the busiest interstate corridors in the country and consistently ranks among the deadliest roadways in Texas, according to TxDOT. Between heavy commuter traffic, weekend tourism, and the constant flow of commercial trucks hauling freight through Central Texas, I-35 creates a perfect storm of congestion, speed variation, and limited escape routes. When an 18-wheeler loses control in this environment, crashes tend to be catastrophic. Victims are often left struggling with overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and long-term injuries. But the real challenge comes…

Texas ranks high in uninsured drivers, with about one in seven lacking coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In Austin, where busy roads like I-35 and Mopac see thousands of crashes annually, being hit by an uninsured motorist can lead to overwhelming medical bills, repair costs, and lost income. That’s where uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes a lifeline, protecting you when the at-fault driver can’t. At Joe Lopez Law, we’ve helped countless Austin families recover after such incidents, drawing on over 20 years of experience to ensure victims get the compensation they deserve. This guide covers the essentials of…