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Car Accident FAQ – What To Do After a Crash in Texas

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm – Personal Injury Attorneys, Principal Office in San Antonio

Car Accident FAQ – What To Do After a Crash in Texas

Being involved in a car accident is a stressful and confusing experience. Most people have never dealt with insurance adjusters, medical bills from accident injuries, or the legal process for recovering compensation. In the days and weeks following a car accident, injured victims have many questions about what they should do, what mistakes to avoid, and whether they need a car accident lawyer. This guide answers the most common questions we hear from car accident victims in Texas.

More about our San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer here

What Should I Do Immediately After My Car Accident?

The actions you take immediately after your car accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation later. Here are essential steps every car accident victim should follow.

Write down the contact information of everyone involved in the car accident, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Get this information from all drivers, passengers, and any witnesses who saw what happened. Witness testimony can be crucial when the insurance company disputes who caused the accident.

After contacting the insurance company, write down the name, address, and telephone number of the insurance adjuster and the claim number assigned to your claim. Take detailed notes of every conversation you have with the insurance adjuster. They are taking notes of every conversation they have with you, and you should do the same to protect yourself.

Be very careful when you describe your injuries to your doctors and the adjuster. Be sure to provide a complete list of all body parts that are in pain. It is common for complaints of pain to increase over time from minor to serious. If you did not tell your doctor about that minor pain that now requires medical attention several months later, you are giving a gift to the insurance adjuster who will argue your injury is not related to the car accident.

Follow your doctors’ advice completely. If you need to take time off from work due to your pain, make sure that your employer documents your leave. Return to work as soon as you are medically able to do so. Insurance adjusters look for gaps in treatment or evidence that you were not following medical advice to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.

Do I Have To Report My Car Accident To The Police?

In Texas, all car accidents involving damages of $1,000 or more, or causing death or injury to any person, must be reported. If you are involved in a car accident, you must check with everyone involved to make sure they are not injured. If anyone is injured, then the police must be notified immediately.

Even if nobody feels injured at the moment, it is generally a good idea to notify the police, particularly when there is serious property damage to the vehicles or there is any question about who is responsible for causing the car accident. A police report creates an official record of what happened and often includes the responding officer’s assessment of fault.

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Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Odessa TX | Carabin Shaw

This Blog was brought to you by The Carabin Shaw Law Firm – Personal Injury Lawyers Midland / Odessa

Drunk Driving Accidents in Odessa, TX: Your Rights After a DUI Crash

Drunk driving accidents in Odessa, TX are preventable collisions—and that is precisely what makes them so devastating. Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths. The Texas Department of Transportation recorded 1,282 alcohol-related traffic fatalities statewide in 2022, representing more than 25 percent of all traffic deaths that year. In Ector County, law enforcement agencies report DUI arrests throughout the week—not just weekends. A drunk driving accident in Odessa can happen at noon on University Boulevard or at two in the morning on I-20. Our personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw can protect your rights from the moment you make that first call.

A drunk driving accident in Odessa, TX is not a true accident. It is the direct result of a decision—a choice to get behind the wheel while impaired. Texas law holds that decision accountable in both criminal court and civil court, and those two proceedings run on entirely independent tracks. A personal injury claim for a drunk driving accident in Odessa does not wait for the criminal case to conclude, and a criminal conviction or plea is not required before you can recover compensation. In fact, an ongoing criminal case can work in your favor: evidence gathered by law enforcement—field sobriety tests, blood alcohol results, officer observations—becomes available to your civil attorney. Our personal injury lawyers who handles drunk driving cases in Odessa knows exactly how to use that criminal record to strengthen your civil claim.

Drunk driving accident injuries in Odessa are frequently severe. Impaired drivers often travel at excessive speeds, fail to brake before impact, or cross the center line and strike oncoming vehicles head-on. The force involved in these crashes produces traumatic brain injuries, spinal fractures, internal bleeding, and wrongful death. Drunk driving accident victims in Odessa deserve every dollar the law allows—and Texas law is among the stronger states for civil recovery in DUI cases because it permits punitive damages when the conduct rises to gross negligence.

Civil Liability: Beyond the Criminal Case

In a civil claim for a drunk driving accident in Odessa, the legal standard is lower than the criminal threshold of “beyond a reasonable doubt.” You must demonstrate that the driver’s intoxication caused your injuries and that those injuries produced quantifiable damages. In most DUI crash cases, this is straightforward to establish—especially when the driver was arrested at the scene.

What sets drunk driving cases apart in Texas civil law is the availability of punitive damages. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.003, punitive damages apply when the defendant’s conduct involved an extreme degree of risk, carried out with conscious indifference to the rights and safety of others. Texas courts have consistently found that choosing to drive drunk satisfies that standard—which means a jury can award damages beyond your actual losses specifically to punish the behavior.

Got Injured In An Accident – CALL SHAW

Dram Shop Claims: Holding Bars and Restaurants Accountable

Texas’s Dram Shop Act extends liability to any business that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused harm to others. If the driver who struck you had been overserved at an Odessa bar, restaurant, or event venue, that establishment may share legal responsibility for your injuries.

Dram shop claims demand fast action. Surveillance footage from bars and restaurants is typically retained for 30 to 60 days before it is deleted or overwritten. Credit card receipts, bartender statements, and security logs can establish how much the driver consumed and how visibly intoxicated they appeared before leaving. Carabin Shaw moves immediately to secure this evidence.

What Damages Are Available?

A drunk driving accident claim in Odessa, TX can pursue recovery for:

  • Emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, and all future medical treatment
  • Lost wages during recovery and reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder, and emotional distress
  • Physical disfigurement and impairment
  • Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
  • Wrongful death damages for families who lost a spouse, parent, or child

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash in Odessa

The actions you take in the first 48 hours after adrunk driving accident in Odessa shape the strength of your case. Get the incident report number from responding officers and request a full copy of the police report, which will document any field sobriety tests administered and any charges filed. Photograph your vehicle, the scene, and your injuries. Get medical attention right away—some serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, produce no obvious symptoms at first.

Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim.

Carabin Shaw has handled drunk driving accident cases across Texas for more than 30 years. The firm understands how to coordinate a civil case alongside an ongoing criminal prosecution—and how to use every available piece of evidence in your favor. There is no upfront fee, and you owe nothing unless Carabin Shaw recovers compensation for you.

What If the Drunk Driver Had No Insurance?

Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but not every driver on Odessa’s roads follows the law. If the drunk driver who hit you carried no insurance or insufficient coverage, you are not without options. Your own underinsured or uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply—and if the accident involved a bar or restaurant under a dram shop claim, that business’s commercial liability policy comes into play regardless of the driver’s insurance status.

Carabin Shaw evaluates every available source of compensation at the start of a drunk driving accident case in Odessa. The firm reviews the at-fault driver’s policy, your own policy’s UM/UIM provisions, any applicable dram shop coverage, and whether an employer or another third party might share responsibility. Leaving any of those sources unexplored means leaving money you are entitled to on the table. There is no fee for the initial consultation, and no attorney’s fee unless a recovery is made.

Injured in Odessa? Carabin Shaw Is Ready to Fight for You.

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(800) 862-1260


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I-35 Car Accidents in Austin Texas | Shaw Cowart Attorneys

I-35 Car Accidents in Austin Texas

I-35 car accidents in Austin injure thousands of motorists every year on one of the most congested and dangerous highways in Texas. The interstate runs directly through downtown Austin, carrying massive traffic volumes that overwhelm the roadway’s capacity daily. I-35 car accidents in Austin result from the combination of heavy congestion, ongoing construction, aggressive driving, and the mix of local commuters with long-haul traffic passing through the city.

I-35 car accidents in Austin occur along the entire corridor from Round Rock through downtown to San Marcos. The Texas Department of Transportation has documented I-35 through Austin as one of the most accident-prone stretches of highway in the state. Construction projects intended to improve capacity create additional hazards during the years-long improvement process. I-35 car accidents in Austin frequently involve multiple vehicles, serious injuries, and significant traffic backups.

Drivers who cause accidents on I-35 through negligent conduct bear liability for the injuries they inflict on other motorists. Whether crashes result from distracted driving, speeding, unsafe lane changes, or failure to adjust for construction zones, injured victims deserve compensation for their losses.

Dangerous Sections of I-35 in Austin

I-35 car accidents in Austin concentrate in specific areas known for hazardous conditions.

The upper deck through downtown creates dangerous merging situations where traffic from I-35 and US-290 converges. Limited sight lines and short merge lanes contribute to sideswipe and rear-end collisions.

The I-35 and US-183 interchange sees heavy accident rates due to complex traffic patterns. Drivers crossing multiple lanes to reach exits create collision risks for surrounding vehicles.

Construction zones throughout the corridor present constantly changing conditions. Shifted lanes, narrow passages, and concrete barriers leave no margin for error. Workers present in zones create additional concerns.

The stretch between downtown and Ben White Boulevard experiences severe congestion that leads to rear-end collisions when traffic suddenly stops.

Common Causes of I-35 Crashes

I-35 car accidents in Austin result from specific driver behaviors that become more dangerous in heavy interstate traffic.

Distracted driving on congested highways proves particularly dangerous. Drivers who check phones during slow traffic may not notice when vehicles ahead stop suddenly.

Aggressive driving including weaving through traffic, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes causes crashes when other drivers cannot anticipate erratic movements.

Speeding in construction zones and congested areas reduces reaction time and increases collision severity.

Failure to yield during merges forces other drivers to brake suddenly or take evasive action that causes secondary crashes.

Fatigue affects commuters during long drives on congested highways and commercial drivers passing through Austin.

Injuries from Interstate Accidents

I-35 car accidents in Austin produce severe injuries due to high speeds and multi-vehicle involvement.

Traumatic brain injuries occur when collision forces cause heads to strike steering wheels, windows, or other vehicle components. TBI produces lasting cognitive and emotional effects.

Spinal cord injuries result from violent impacts that damage vertebrae and spinal tissue. Paralysis may result from severe spinal trauma.

Broken bones throughout the body require surgical repair and extended rehabilitation. Multiple fractures commonly occur in high-speed interstate crashes.

Internal injuries damage organs through blunt force trauma. Internal bleeding requires emergency surgery and may prove fatal without immediate treatment.

Pursuing Compensation After I-35 Crashes

Victims of I-35 car accidents in Austin may pursue compensation from negligent drivers who caused their crashes.

Medical expenses cover emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Interstate accident injuries often generate substantial medical costs.

Lost wages compensate for income missed during recovery. Severe injuries may prevent returning to work for months or permanently.

Pain and suffering damages recognize physical pain and emotional distress from serious injuries.

Property damage covers vehicle repair or replacement costs.

Get Help After an I-35 Car Accident

The car accident attorneys at Shaw Cowart represent Austin motorists injured on I-35. We investigate crashes, establish fault, and fight for maximum compensation. If you were injured in an I-35 accident, contact Shaw Cowart today for a free consultation.

Blog PostsFeaturedMedical Malpractice

Medical Malpractice Attorney — Tempie Law

When you seek medical care, you place your trust — and often your life — in the hands of healthcare professionals who are bound by a legal and ethical duty to meet established standards of care. When that duty is breached through negligence, carelessness, or incompetence, the resulting harm can be devastating and life-altering. Medical malpractice claims are among the most complex and challenging areas of personal injury law, requiring both deep legal knowledge and a thorough understanding of medical standards and procedures. At Tempie Law, our medical malpractice attorneys combine legal expertise with access to leading medical experts to build powerful cases for victims of healthcare negligence throughout our community.

Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle
Our medical malpractice practice represents victims of healthcare negligence in a wide range of cases, including:

  • Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose serious conditions
  • Delayed diagnosis resulting in worsened outcomes
  • Surgical errors and wrong-site surgeries
  • Anesthesia errors and complications
  • Medication errors and improper prescriptions
  • Birth injuries caused by obstetric negligence
  • Emergency room errors and inadequate triage
  • Failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests
  • Hospital-acquired infections due to negligent care
  • Failure to obtain informed consent before procedures
  • Nursing home and long-term care medical negligence

No matter the nature of your medical malpractice claim, our attorneys will work with qualified medical experts to thoroughly evaluate your case, establish the applicable standard of care, and demonstrate clearly how that standard was breached and how the breach caused your injury.

Navigating Complex Medical Malpractice Requirements
Medical malpractice cases involve strict procedural requirements, including mandatory expert review processes and specific filing deadlines that vary by state. Missing these deadlines or failing to comply with procedural requirements can result in the permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation. Our attorneys are well-versed in all applicable medical malpractice laws and procedures and will ensure that your case is handled correctly and efficiently from the very first step.

Fighting for Full Compensation
Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to compensation for additional medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in tragic cases, wrongful death damages. Our attorneys will pursue every dollar of compensation you are owed with skill, determination, and genuine commitment to your well-being.

Contact Tempie Law Today
If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, contact Tempie Law today for a free and confidential consultation and let our experienced medical malpractice attorneys fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Blog PostsFeaturedSocial Security Disability

Social Security Disability Attorney — Tempie Law

When a physical or mental condition prevents you from maintaining gainful employment, Social Security Disability benefits can provide the financial lifeline you and your family need to survive. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration denies the majority of initial disability applications — often leaving genuinely disabled individuals without the support they desperately need. At Tempie Law, our Social Security Disability attorneys are dedicated to guiding clients through every stage of the application and appeals process, providing the skilled and persistent advocacy necessary to secure the benefits they have earned and deserve.

Social Security Disability Services We Provide
Our disability benefits practice assists clients throughout the entire Social Security Disability process, including:

  • Initial SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) applications
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) applications for low-income disabled individuals
  • Requests for reconsideration following initial claim denials
  • Administrative law judge hearings before the Office of Hearings Operations
  • Appeals Council reviews of unfavorable hearing decisions
  • Federal district court appeals of denied claims
  • Disability benefit termination and cessation disputes
  • Compassionate allowance claims for terminal and severe medical conditions
  • Wounded warrior and veteran disability claims
  • Recovery of back pay and retroactive disability benefits

Our attorneys work closely with clients and their treating physicians to gather comprehensive medical documentation that clearly establishes the nature, severity, and functional limitations of their disabling condition.

Why So Many Claims Are Denied
Social Security Disability claims are frequently denied due to insufficient medical evidence, failure to follow prescribed treatment, earning above the substantial gainful activity threshold, or the SSA’s determination that the claimant can perform other types of work. Our attorneys understand exactly what the SSA requires and will ensure that your application or appeal addresses every relevant medical and vocational factor in the most compelling way possible.

No Fee Unless We Win
All Social Security Disability cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with fees strictly regulated by federal law. You pay nothing unless we successfully obtain benefits on your behalf, making quality legal representation accessible to every disabled individual regardless of their financial situation.

Contact Tempie Law Today
If you have been denied Social Security Disability benefits or need help starting your claim, contact Tempie Law today for a free consultation and let our experienced disability attorneys fight for the benefits you deserve.

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Environmental Law Attorney — Tempie Law

Environmental law governs the relationship between human activity and the natural world, establishing the legal framework that protects our air, water, land, and ecosystems from pollution, contamination, and misuse. Whether you are an individual affected by toxic contamination, a business navigating complex environmental regulations, or a community organization seeking to hold polluters accountable, having an experienced environmental law attorney in your corner is essential. At Tempie Law, our environmental attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of individuals and communities while helping businesses achieve and maintain full compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Environmental Law Services We Provide
Our environmental law practice covers a comprehensive range of matters for both individuals and businesses, including:

  • Toxic tort and environmental contamination claims
  • Groundwater, soil, and air contamination disputes
  • Hazardous waste disposal and cleanup liability
  • Environmental regulatory compliance counseling for businesses
  • Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act compliance and enforcement
  • Federal and state EPA investigation defense
  • Environmental impact assessment and permitting assistance
  • Natural resource damage claims and restoration
  • Superfund and brownfield site liability
  • Community advocacy against industrial pollution and environmental injustice

Whether you need to pursue legal action against a polluter, defend against a regulatory enforcement action, or proactively ensure your business is operating within all applicable environmental requirements, our attorneys are ready to provide the skilled and dedicated legal representation you need.

Environmental Justice for Affected Communities
Pollution and environmental contamination disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, causing serious public health consequences that can persist for generations. At Tempie Law, we are passionate advocates for environmental justice and are committed to standing up for individuals and communities whose health and quality of life have been compromised by environmental negligence or wrongdoing.

Proactive Compliance for Businesses
For businesses, proactive environmental compliance is far more cost-effective than reactive enforcement defense. Our attorneys work closely with business clients to identify potential compliance gaps, implement effective environmental management practices, and minimize legal risk before problems arise.

Contact Tempie Law Today
If you need environmental law assistance, contact Tempie Law today to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced environmental attorneys and let us help you protect what matters most.

Bankruptcy LawBlog PostsFeatured

Bankruptcy Attorney — Tempie Law

Financial difficulties can overwhelm anyone — unexpected medical bills, job loss, business failure, or simply the gradual accumulation of debt can leave individuals and families feeling trapped with no clear path forward. Bankruptcy is a federally protected legal process designed to give people in financial distress a genuine opportunity for a fresh start. At Tempie Law, our bankruptcy attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals and businesses understand their options, navigate the bankruptcy process with confidence, and emerge on the other side with a solid foundation for financial recovery.

Bankruptcy Services We Provide
Our bankruptcy law practice assists clients with a full range of personal and business bankruptcy matters, including:

  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy — liquidation of non-exempt assets to eliminate qualifying unsecured debts such as credit cards and medical bills
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy — structured repayment plan allowing individuals to keep their assets while repaying debts over three to five years
  • Chapter 11 bankruptcy — business reorganization for companies seeking to restructure debts and continue operations
  • Bankruptcy exemption planning to protect your home, vehicle, and other essential assets
  • Automatic stay enforcement to immediately halt creditor calls, wage garnishments, foreclosures, and repossessions
  • Discharge of qualifying debts including credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans
  • Alternatives to bankruptcy including debt negotiation, consolidation, and creditor workouts
  • Post-bankruptcy credit rebuilding strategies and guidance

Our attorneys will conduct a thorough review of your financial situation and help you determine whether bankruptcy is the right solution — and if so, which chapter best serves your specific needs and goals.

A Fresh Start Is Within Reach
Many people delay seeking bankruptcy protection out of fear or shame. At Tempie Law, we believe that bankruptcy is not a failure — it is a legal tool designed specifically to help people who are struggling get back on their feet. Our attorneys approach every bankruptcy case with compassion, discretion, and a genuine commitment to helping our clients rebuild their financial lives.

Contact Tempie Law Today
If you are struggling with overwhelming debt, contact Tempie Law today for a free and confidential consultation and let our experienced bankruptcy attorneys help you take the first step toward a fresh financial start.