Personal Injury

When someone’s life is turned upside down by an accident, the physical injuries are only part of the story. The sleepless nights, anxiety, chronic pain, and emotional trauma that follow can be just as debilitating. Those losses fall under the legal concept of pain and suffering, a category of non-economic damages recognized (though not rigidly quantified) in Texas. To give realistic expectations, it helps to see actual settlement numbers—especially ones secured by a firm like Joe Lopez Law in Texas. While many smaller claims fall into the $10,000 to $100,000 range, Joe Lopez Law’s successes include multi-million dollar results when…

Understanding Contingency Fees in Texas Personal Injury Cases Working under a contingency fee agreement can sound too good to be true: a lawyer agrees to represent you at no upfront cost, only collecting a fee if you win the case. While this core definition is true, the financial reality of an Austin personal injury settlement is more complex. In Texas, contingency fees are a vital tool that grant access to justice for individuals who cannot afford hourly legal rates. However, understanding how the final payment is calculated—including legal fees, case costs, and medical liens—is critical to knowing what you actually…

Experiencing a truck accident—especially in a busy city like Austin, Texas—can be overwhelming. From ensuring your safety to protecting your legal rights, knowing what to do in those critical first minutes and hours is essential. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you act confidently after a truck collision. 1. Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries Your top priority is safety. If you’re able, move your vehicle off the roadway to the shoulder and activate your hazard lights. Avoid staying in a dangerous location. Quickly assess your condition and the condition of others involved. Even minor injuries—like whiplash or concussions—can…

Victims of bicycle-car collisions are more susceptible to catastrophic injuries Being the victim of a collision between a bicycle and car can be a harrowing experience. Whether you’re on a steel or aluminum bicycle, or (especially) an ultra-light carbon bike, does not matter. The car always wins in a collision between and bicycle and a car or truck. For this reason alone, it’s important to always be particularly alert when riding on an open roadway. Whether you are (1) clipped while riding on the shoulder, (2) t-boned while crossing an intersection with the right-of-way, or (3) hit head on by…

Should I get an attorney after my car accident? In some cases, an attorney is absolutely necessary. In other cases, your claim may be resolved quicker and with fewer steps by not getting an attorney involved. Many attorneys—including the Joe Lopez Law PC, where I practice personal injury litigation in Austin, TX—do offer free consultations to evaluate the prospects of your case with you. This blog post serves to give a general understanding of how to evaluate your options. I only feel like I sustained minor injuries along with the damage to my vehicle. Should I get an attorney? Whether…

Dash Cams in Cars Are dash cams in cars gaining popularity with American drivers? Do they serve a good purpose for civilians? Last year, a new client at our law firm brought in the footage of his collision the car next to him captured. To say it’s compelling evidence is an understatement. So the question remains, why are dash cams gaining popularity in the United States? A few weeks, a serious crash involving a runaway dump truck was captured on video in Austin, Texas.   As seen within the link below, this footage is absolutely profound and can definitely provide concrete…

Texas has had its share of horrifying accidents over the years. From unexpected explosions to natural disasters, the worst incidents destroy communities, homes, and lives. Accidents are a terrible part of life, but they also show the true strength of Texans who come together to help those in need. Here are some of the worst incidents in our state’s history: 1. The Texas City Disaster (1947) On April 16, 1947, the SS Grandcamp exploded while moored in Texas City. The French ship’s cargo included ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer and highly explosive substance. The entire ship, dock area, and 1000 nearby…

Wrong Way Drivers in Austin Texas According to NHTSA, more than 1,500 crashes involving wrong way drivers occur each year taking nearly 260 lives.  As we all know, 2015 was the deadliest year on the roads in Austin’s history. It seems 2016 is tracking 2015. This week alone there were three separate fatal collisions. Most recently four people were killed on Interstate 35 at the Kyle Parkway exit after a wrong-way driver crashed into their minivan. This preventable crash happened around 1 a.m. Friday morning and authorities believe alcohol could have played a role. The scene was horrific according to…

Playing football is a rite of passage for many American youths. In some states, such as Texas, it’s a way of life. Playing sports in school teaches collaboration, discipline, and strategy, but is there something more sinister lurking under the surface of pep rallies and weekday practices? The Risk of Youth Sports Injuries In 2015, five high school football players died after suffering an on-field injury. From 2005—2014, 92 high school players died from causes associated with the sport. When news broadcasts and physicians warn parents about the risks of contact sports such as football, they’re not exaggerating. Head injuries, heat…

Texas leads the nation in flood-related deaths and holds about half of the world records for highest rainfall rates in less than 48 hours. Austin lies in the center of Flash Flood Alley (from San Antonio to Dallas), where flash flooding is the number one natural disaster threat to the area. Flash floods have been the number one storm-related killer for the past 25 years in Austin, with about 10 percent of the land in Austin inside the floodplain. Six months ago, the historic Memorial Day Floods damaged nearly 350 homes, most of which were not covered by insurance, and…