San Antonio Personal Injury Law Guide: What Central Texas Accident Victims Need to Know

San Antonio’s congested highways, such as Loop 1604 and I-35, contribute to the city's high accident rates. There were nearly 40,000 motor vehicle crashes in San Antonio in 2024, resulting in 170 fatalities and 686 serious injuries. Many victims suffered long-term injuries that changed their lives in an instant.

Accident victims are at a disadvantage when pursuing compensation through insurance claims. They don’t realize that Texas has personal injury laws that protect accident victims. The Central Texas personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve to cover medical bills and other losses.

If you are injured in a San Antonio accident, don’t try to navigate the legal process alone. The skilled attorneys at Carabin Shaw offer free consultations in English or Spanish to help victims understand their legal options. We are available 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260.

A personal injury claim requires the victim to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence led directly to the accident. Negligence is the failure to act in a way a reasonable person would in similar circumstances. In car crashes, negligence might include driver distraction or traffic law violations.

To prove another party was negligent, your lawyer must show:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
• The party breached its duty
• The breach led directly to the accident
• The accident caused your injuries and related losses

Motorists owe other drivers a duty of care by following traffic laws. If a driver violates the law, you can hold them liable for your injuries.

Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning the person responsible for the accident is also liable for the losses accident victims incur. However, the burden of proof is on the victim to show that the at-fault party’s negligence led to the accident. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away to begin the investigation process. They will gather evidence to prove negligence, including:

• Accident reports
• Medical records
• Eyewitness statements
• Photos or videos of the accident scene
• Accident reconstruction experts

Your legal team will piece together all the evidence to show how the accident occurred and who was at fault. You can then use this information to file your accident claim.

Most personal injury cases begin by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, this process isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Insurance adjusters focus on saving their company’s bottom line and not on providing fair compensation to accident victims. They often use a variety of tactics to reduce or deny claims.

Your personal injury attorney in San Antonio is your best line of defense against unscrupulous insurance companies. They will negotiate with the insurance representative until a fair settlement is reached on your behalf. If they can’t agree on a settlement, your legal team will prepare your case for court, where a judge or jury will determine fair compensation and hold the insurance company responsible for paying you.

You may be eligible for various damages under Texas law, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Disability and disfigurement

Your lawyer will calculate some of your damages based on receipts, bills, invoices, and other documentation. Other damages, like pain and suffering, are usually calculated using a formula that accounts for the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. The aim is to restore your life to a level that is as close as possible to how it was before your accident.

The experienced professionals at Carabin Shaw work to maximize our clients' damages, as our law firm’s client reviews attest. Read our reviews to see how we’ve helped other accident victims like you.

If you are hurt in an accident in San Antonio, call Carabin Shaw right away. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no money up front for our expert guidance. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.

For more information:

• Texas Department of Transportation
• Cornell Law School
• Texas Statutes 41