Austin Personal Injury Lawyers

Types of Austin Accident Cases We Handle

The people who live and work in Austin know it as a vibrant city, full of culture, music, and outdoor activities. However, busy lifestyles and crowded streets can lead to unexpected accidents and injuries. From trucking collisions on I-35 to injuries in crowded music venues or on construction sites, the city and its surrounding areas can be the locations of serious injuries or losses that change lives forever. Our firm, deeply rooted in the Austin community, is dedicated to supporting people who have been affected by these incidents.

Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere. Our Austin injury lawyers can help after:

What You Stand to Gain with an Injury Claim

People who've been in an accident are often in the worst circumstances of their lives. They’ve been injured, their hospitalization costs are climbing, they’re unable to work, and everything they’ve worked to build is in danger of collapsing. In the hands of the right lawyer, an injury claim can take care of all of that. By holding the at-fault parties accountable in court, our Austin personal injury law firm has been able to help our clients recover what they’ve lost.

Personal injury claims can compensate someone for losses or injuries such as:

Anyone who has ever been in a serious accident may be entitled to everything listed above. Unfortunately, the companies who harm or kill people never offer to help the injured recover what they need. Instead, accident victims are forced to hire attorneys to force those companies to do what’s right. People call our Austin personal injury lawyers because we’re extremely effective at forcing companies to pay what our clients are owed.

Catastrophic Injury Claims & How Our Austin Accident Lawyers Can Help

When injuries are severe enough that they change a person's life, they are considered "catastrophic." This may include severe burns, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputation, and brain injuries. Recovery can be a long and challenging process, and in some cases a person suffering from a catastrophic injury may be unable to recover fully, living with physical or mental limitations that affect their ability to work or even perform daily activities.

Cases like these require the time and attention of an Austin injury law firm that not only knows what it takes to rebuild after a catastrophic injury but that has a track record of recovering the settlements and verdicts that cover all medical care, ongoing expenses, lost earnings, and more. That is the level of counsel provided at Arnold & Itkin.

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Austin Construction Accident Lawyers

Working in construction is rewarding—and demanding. It involves hard, physical labor, not to mention heavy machinery and tools that can pose serious hazards if carelessly operated or maintained. In fact, construction is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous industries for workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of all work-related fatalities in the U.S occur in construction.

Types of Construction Site Injuries

The injuries sustained at a construction site can be catastrophic and will vary depending on the type of accident and numerous other factors. Construction workers may suffer crush injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic amputation in incidents involving heavy machinery or structural collapses. They may suffer traumatic brain injuries or other significant trauma from falls. Electrocution, severe burns, overexertion injuries, and even heat exhaustion are also potential risks.

Construction worker injuries may result from:

We’ve heard it time and again: accidents happen. But, construction accidents are preventable. We must take a closer look at why construction workers are at such a high risk of on-the-job injuries.

Understanding the “Why” Behind Construction Accidents

Any construction accident can be traced to a specific cause, but sometimes it is a combination of factors that lead to an incident that injures or claims workers’ lives. Human error, inexperience, and carelessness can cause serious—and entirely preventable—construction accidents. Other potential causes are equipment or machinery defects and lax implementation of safety standards. By investigating your construction accident from every angle with the help of experts in the field, professional investigators, and accident reconstruction specialists, we will work to prove its cause and who should be held to blame.

We take on Austin, TX construction accident cases involving:

In representing the injured, our firm has seen innocent people and families pay the ultimate price for another’s negligence or wrongdoing. This needs to stop, and the journey to justice begins with a simple phone call to our Austin construction accident lawyers, who are standing by to help.

Benefits Available for Injured Construction Workers

As an injured construction worker in Austin, you are entitled to medical care and financial support. You may be able to pursue these benefits through workers’ compensation—if your employer carries this no-fault insurance for work-related injuries. Because Texas companies are not required by law to do so, you may need to consider another course of action for compensation.

If your employer does not have workers’ comp insurance, or a third party (someone other than your employer or a co-worker) was responsible for your injuries, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. This opens the door to the recovery of economic losses and non-economic damages, which could cover more than workers’ comp.

A successful construction accident case may include compensation for:

This can make all the difference as you work to rebuild your life and create a more stable future.

Deadly Construction Accidents: Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Construction workers represent one out of every five workplace fatalities in the United States each year. The industry is so dangerous that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified construction’s “Fatal Four”—the leading causes of construction fatalities.

The four leading causes of construction worker fatalities are:

When families lose loved ones in construction accidents, nothing can be done to fill the void that’s left behind. Some peace of mind is possible, however, by seeing at-fault parties held accountable. Recovering fair compensation or benefits can give you the freedom to focus on your loved one’s memory, not worrying about how you will provide for your family.

If you lost a spouse, parent, or other family member in a construction accident in the Austin area, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp covers funeral costs and a portion of the lost earnings of a person who has lost his or her life in a work-related accident. If workers’ compensation does not apply, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party that caused the accident and your loss.

September 12, 2020 Crane Accident in Austin, TX

On the morning of September 12, 2020, two cranes collided and became entangled at a construction site just east of I-35 in Austin. At least 20 people were injured, and 16 were taken to nearby hospitals, one of the worst crane accidents in the nation's history. All who were injured were construction workers, attempting to flee the area. Incidents like this crane accident are evidence of how quickly a construction site accident can endanger the safety of every person in the area.

Why Crane Accidents Happen

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that around 44 crane-related deaths occur on average every year. More than half of all crane accidents occur in construction or manufacturing, where crane use is most common. In virtually every investigation, crane accidents are attributed to negligence, which means they’re preventable.

Crane accidents may occur due to:

In one of the most significant crane accident cases nationwide, our firm represented a worker who lost his leg in a crane collapse. He was standing at a safe distance while the crane was pushed to its limits by the crane operator’s supervisor, which led to a catastrophic accident. The reason the crane was used improperly? The job was behind schedule and the company didn’t want any more delays.

Ultimately, these are the reasons that crane accidents happen: cutting corners, making shortcuts, and pushing employees too far. When these practices are allowed to persist without any legal consequences, dangerous accidents are guaranteed to happen.

The Common Causes of Crane Accidents

The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) surveyed 14 years’ worth of data and determined the leading causes of crane-related deaths. These causes of death correspond to OSHA’s “Fatal Four,” which are the four leading causes of death on construction sites.

The leading fatal crane accident causes are:

• Overhead Power Line Electrocution: The CPWR found more than 100 cases where a worker was electrocuted by an overhead power line. The majority of these electrocutions were caused by contact between the power line and the crane boom or cable.
• Crane Boom Failure or Collapse: One in five crane-related fatalities was the result of a crane collapse. Overloaded cranes caused the majority of collapses, followed by operating a crane on icy or unsafe terrain. Some also occurred to load shifting.
• Struck by Crane Boom or Jib: The third leading cause of crane fatalities was workers being struck by the crane. Almost 50% of these cases occurred while the crane was being dismantled or lengthened.
• Defective Machinery: Defective design or manufacturing can include missing or broken safety features, defective materials, and unclear or poor instructions. Even if a crane is in perfect working order, equipment sellers must ensure that buyers have all the information they need to operate it safely. Without that information, workers may fall victim to “defective advertisement,” or insufficient warning about any dangerous features a crane may have.

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Plant, Refinery & Industrial Accidents in Austin, TX

Arnold & Itkin is well-known for representing industrial workers across various sectors in Austin and nationwide. Our experience spans a range of catastrophic workplace incidents, including plant explosions and refinery fires. As Austin plant and refinery accident lawyers, we know what it takes to help injured employees, contactors, and subcontractors seek the benefits and compensation they rightfully deserve.

Austin is home to workers of all kinds, such as those at Gigafactory Texas, a Tesla-owned facility spanning 2,500 acres and over 10,000 square feet of factory floor, or those at any of the 3 natural gas power plants managed by Austin Energy. Unfortunately, these and other worksites can prove hazardous or deadly when safety standards are not followed. 

There have been reports of an incident at Gigafactory Texas, where an engineer was pinned to the wall by a robot arm in 2021. There were 2 fatalities at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in 2023, involving workers who lost their lives in separate accidents involving ground service vehicles. In August 2023, a night operator at a Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating site in Ledbetter lost his life when a blow-down pipe came loose and struck him in the head.

For workers at any plant, refinery, warehouse, or factory, we stand ready to assist. If you've been injured on the job, reach out to us. Our team of Austin plant and refinery accident lawyers is equipped to successfully navigate the complexities of industrial injury claims.

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Been Injured in a Truck Accident? Our Austin Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help.

Truck accidents are very different from typical traffic collisions. They are more rare but more damaging, with a higher likelihood of serious injury or death. If you have been involved in an accident of this nature—whether it was caused by a texting driver, a tired driver, or employer negligence—do not hesitate to involve an Austin truck accident attorney.

About the City of Austin & Trucking in the Austin Area

Austin isn’t just the capital of Texas and home to a booming tech sector; it’s also a high-volume trucking route. Located in Travis County, the city sits at the crossroads of major highways that carry commercial vehicles across Texas and beyond. Interstate 35, one of the most heavily traveled trucking routes in the nation, runs directly through Austin. It connects the city to San Antonio in the south and Dallas–Fort Worth in the north, as well as to Laredo, the busiest inland port of entry for U.S.–Mexico trade. Austin sees relentless 18-wheeler traffic moving imports, exports, and freight.

The numbers reflect the strain. According to TxDOT, truck traffic on I-35 through Central Texas has grown steadily for years, driven by booming trade and regional population growth. The stretch between San Antonio and Austin is among the most congested and dangerous in the state, with crash rates consistently higher than other portions of the corridor. Within the city, I-35 and Loop 1 (MoPac Expressway) serve as major north–south arteries, while US 290 and SH 71 carry heavy truck volumes east–west, linking Austin to Houston and the Permian Basin. Bottlenecks at interchanges and constant construction projects only increase the risks for passenger vehicles sharing the road with big rigs.

Austin is also a growing center for logistics and distribution. FedEx Freight, UPS, Old Dominion Freight Line, and XPO Logistics operate facilities in and around Travis County. Regional and oilfield-linked haulers run routes through the metro, moving equipment, construction materials, and consumer goods to keep pace with the city’s explosive growth. 

The result: Austin residents face daily exposure to commercial trucks on highways that weren’t designed for today’s volumes or speeds.

For families in Austin, this reality means truck accidents aren’t rare—they’re an unfortunate and predictable part of life along Central Texas highways. At Arnold & Itkin, we’ve taken on the largest national carriers and local fleets alike, exposing the unsafe practices that put our communities at risk. When corporations put profit before safety, we fight to hold them accountable and secure justice for the people harmed on Austin’s roads.

Trucking Accidents in Austin: Who's Responsible?

Austin is considered a car-dependent city, with 66% of commuters driving alone to and from work and the other 34% using other forms of transportation: city transit, carpooling, etc. Austin has also been listed in the top 20 U.S. cities for high traffic. Coupled with the number of commercial trucks routinely traversing through the city's major freeways and streets, these factors make truck accidents a possibility on any Austin area roadway.

Trucking companies have a responsibility to prevent traffic accidents involving their vehicles by:

• Hiring competent drivers
• Complying with hours-of-service regulations
• Complying with drug and alcohol testing requirements
• Implementing and enforcing safe driving practices
• Taking disciplinary action against drivers who violate safety standards
• Properly inspecting and maintaining their vehicles
• Properly loading cargo

Companies that fail to prioritize safety put everyone on the road at risk, and those who have been injured (including motorists, pedestrians, and truck drivers themselves) have the right to seek accountability and compensation from all at-fault parties. Our Austin truck accident attorneys have the know-how and resources to handle these cases.

Determining the Fair Value of Your Trucking Accident Claim

If you have been injured in a trucking accident in the Austin area, you may be entitled to financial compensation meant to make your life whole again. Our team works with accident reconstruction specialists, economists, medical professionals, and experts in various fields to investigate and build compelling cases on behalf of our clients that show the full extent of harm they have experienced and will experience in the future. This helps us seek fair compensation.

If you were involved in a truck accident in Austin, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, medication, medical supplies, and ongoing treatment or care
• Lost earnings, including loss of future wages or benefits
• Emotional trauma, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages, meant to penalize the at-fault party for gross negligence or wrongdoing

It is possible to rebuild after a serious truck accident. We're here to help. If you work with an Austin truck accident lawyer from our firm, you can rest assured knowing that you will have a heavyweight in your corner. We are well-versed in trucking regulations and know how to apply them to your case; we also know the unique way that truck insurance works and will be able to wade through these murky waters. So, do not hesitate another moment! If you have been injured, give us a call and let us fight for the outcome you deserve.

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Our Austin Wrongful Death Lawyers Demand Answers for Grieving Families

No family expects to find out that their loved one will never be coming home again. Yet, sometimes the negligence of other people or parties causes an innocent life to be cut short. When this happens, grieving families are unfairly left to pick up the pieces of their life alone. At Arnold & Itkin, our Austin wrongful death lawyers are focused on making sure these families don’t have to face one of the most difficult experiences they’ll face alone. We understand what you’re going through, and we know how to demand answers from those who caused this situation. While nothing can change what happened, we’re ready to hold negligent parties responsible and seek compensation on behalf of you and your family.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim & How Does It Help Surviving Family Members?

A wrongful death occurs when negligence or wrongdoing causes the untimely death of another person. This may include a negligent employer, an unsafe driver, or any individual or company that acts without due caution or care. Carelessness, safety violations, and even intentional acts may provide grounds for wrongful death actions, if these led to a loss of life. Wrongful death claims are filed in civil court, where remedies and penalties are financial in nature.

An Austin wrongful death lawyer can help families seek compensation for:

Essentially, a wrongful death lawsuit is focused on making a family as financially whole as possible after they’ve suffered the loss of a member. Civil wrongful death claims are separate from criminal trials, where penalties may include prison time. Families can file wrongful death claims even if the other party is facing a criminal trial or has already had one.

There are three primary categories of damages families can seek through a wrongful death lawsuit in Austin, TX:

• Economic damages, which are based on the actual financial damages a family suffers from the passing of a loved one. While these could include immediate losses from medical bills and funeral expenses, economic damages can also include compensation for future losses such as the lost wages the deceased would have made and provided.
• Non-economic damages, which include compensation for intangible losses, such as pain, suffering, and mental anguish. These losses may not have an inherent dollar value, but they are just as devastating, and surviving family members deserve to be compensated. 
• Punitive damages, which are meant as a punishment in cases of extreme negligence or wrongdoing (rather than as compensation for surviving family members and loved ones). The amount of punitive damages is based on court decisions and the severity of a party’s negligence.

Who Can Be Compensated in a Wrongful Death Case in Austin, Texas? 

In Austin, Texas, the immediate family members of a deceased person can file a wrongful death claim. Generally, if a claim is filed by a spouse or child—the people with first priority to make a claim—no other family members can do the same. However, other individuals may qualify as beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim. 

Eligible beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim in Texas include:

The best way to find out if you can file a claim is to call our Austin wrongful death lawyers. We’ll listen to what happened and help you discover what your options are based on your situation. No two cases are the same, and we’re ready to provide the insightful advice that you deserve during this difficult time.

No one should have to face the difficulties associated with a loved one’s death while they are grieving. Yet, the state’s statute of limitations means that families must consider filing a claim before it’s too late. At Arnold & Itkin, our team understands that families are going through some of the worst times in their lives when they come to us. So, we work to make the process easier for them by being the advocate that they deserve. Our team will investigate the incident that took your loved one, negotiate with the other side for a settlement, and take them to court if they aren’t being fair.

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Speak with an Austin Personal Injury Attorney at (888) 493-1629

When young boys nationwide were left deformed by an unsafe drug, families turned to Arnold & Itkin, and they won $8 billion—the third largest verdict in the nation’s history. When a construction superintendent lost his leg in a crane accident, he turned to Arnold & Itkin, and he won $44 million—the largest verdict ever won for an amputation victim. When a young mother was paralyzed and brain-damaged in an ambulance accident, her family turned to Arnold & Itkin, and she won $117 million—the largest verdict for a single plaintiff in Louisiana history.

Our Austin personal injury lawyers know how to win. We pour every resource, take every measure, and pursue every avenue for compensation to make sure our clients are taken care of for life. If you were injured in an accident of any kind, speak with our firm to discuss your legal and financial options. Your consultation is free!

Our team brings the fight to the other side because helping clients is personal to us. Call us now at (888) 493-1629 to find out how we can work to help you. There's no fee unless we win your case!

About Austin, TX

Known as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is the capital city of Texas, the seat of Travis County, and the fourth-most populous city in the state. Austin has been called “Silicon Hills” due to the high concentration of technology companies in the area. As of July 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population of Austin was 964,177. Austin is known for having a strong economy and as being a great city for young entrepreneurs, artists, businesses, and families alike. A Forbes article from 2019 cited Austin’s status as the #1 city in America for the third year in a row, attributing it to the low cost of living, overall quality of life, and thriving job market.

The Austin area was settled in 1835 and incorporated as a city in 1839. It was first incorporated as “Waterloo,” but that was changed to Austin shortly thereafter. It was named after the “Father of Texas,” Stephen Fuller Austin, an American-born empresario who brought 300 families to the territory. Austin is now the 12th most populous city in the country, not to mention the 4th most populous city in Texas. As of 2022, Austin had an estimated population of nearly 1.03 million, a significant increase from 961,855 in 2020. The city is home to many waterways, rivers, and lakes, including Lake Travis, Lady Bird Lake, and McKinney Falls. Some Austin residents use the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” to promote diversity and to protect the many small businesses in the region from being overtaken by big companies. Austin has also been called the “City of the Violet Crown” because of the way the light hits the hills at twilight.

There is no shortage of things to do in Austin, both for visitors and residents. The music scene is second-to-none. It is virtually everywhere you turn at the city’s more than 250 live music venues. If you want to venture outdoors, you can zipline in Hill Country, visit sculpture gardens, hike or ride on the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, or keep cool in Barton Springs Pool. You can take in the city’s rich history at historic homes and museums, go shopping, eat at some of the best restaurants in the country, and enjoy the nightlife. The Texas State Capitol is the tallest capitol building in the U.S., built in the 19^th century. Barton Springs Pool is just one of Austin’s network of public pools used to get outdoors and beat the heat, the LBJ Presidential Library and Bullock Texas State History Museum offer insight into the area’s rich history, and the Austin Aquarium offers interactions with animals of all kinds. The live music scene in Austin has never been stronger, and the city hosts several film festivals every year, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin Film Festival.

Austin has a diverse economy supported by industries ranging from technology and defense to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The top employers in Austin are Dell, the Austin Independent School District, NXP Semiconductors, IBM, Texas State University, and the University of Texas at Austin. The international grocery store chain Whole Foods Market was founded and is still headquartered in Austin. Tito’s Vodka, Forestar Group, Keller Williams Realty, YETI, and Sweet Leaf Tea Company are also all based in Austin.

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