In Austin, when a crash caused by someone else kills a family member, the spouse, children, and parents can bring a wrongful death claim under Texas law for lost support, companionship, and mental anguish. Owsley Law Firm handles Austin wrongful death from its Houston offices, comes to you, and charges no fee unless it wins. Call before you speak with any insurer.
Wrongful Death in Austin
Where do Austin fatal crashes happen?
Travis County fatal crashes cluster on I-35, SH-130, and US-183 at night. The firm handles the family’s wrongful death and survival claims together.
Travis County fatal crashes cluster on I-35, SH-130, and US-183 at night. SH-130’s 85 mile per hour limit makes any crash there a potential fatality, and I-35 through downtown produces pedestrian deaths and wrong-way crashes after the bars close. The firm’s Austin wrongful death cases frequently involve alcohol and a dram shop claim against a downtown bar. Austin Police’s Vehicular Homicide Unit investigates, and the family’s claim is filed at the Civil and Family Courts Facility.
Corridors where Austin wrongful death cluster
- I-35 through downtown between Cesar Chavez and Airport Boulevard
- I-35 at US-183 and the Rundberg corridor in north Austin
- MoPac at Lady Bird Lake and the express-lane entrances
- US-183 at SH-71 near the airport
- SH-130 toll road between Pflugerville and Mustang Ridge
- Lamar Boulevard and Riverside Drive through South Austin
Cases from Austin
What does a Austin wrongful death case look like?
A pickup on SH-130 loses control at 85 miles per hour and crosses the median; the family of the driver in the oncoming car brings a wrongful death claim.
What to do now
What should you do after a fatal crash in Austin?
- Get examined the same day. Dell Seton Medical Center at UT (Level I trauma) and St. David’s Medical Center handle the serious wrongful death injuries from Austin; an urgent care visit the same day is enough to start the record if you are not transported.
- Photograph the vehicles, the road, and your injuries where it happened, especially on I-35 and US-183, where scenes are cleared within minutes.
- Get the Austin crash report. Austin Police Department reports are available through the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System, usually within 10 days. The firm obtains it for clients at no charge.
- Report the crash to your own insurer, but give no recorded statement to the other driver’s carrier until you have counsel.
- Know where the case goes. Austin wrongful death suits are filed in the Travis County Civil District Courts, Civil and Family Courts Facility, or Travis County Courts at Law depending on the crash location.
- Call the firm. Austin clients are handled from Houston by phone, video, and mail, and the firm travels to Austin for meetings, depositions, and court. The consultation is free.
Go deeper
More on wrongful death claims in Austin and Texas.
Common questions
Austin wrongful death questions
Who investigates a fatal crash in Austin?
The Austin Police Department’s Vehicular Homicide Unit inside the city, and the Travis County Sheriff or DPS outside it.
Where is an Austin wrongful death case filed?
In the Travis County Civil District Courts, with the estate’s survival claim.
Can a family recover for an unborn child lost in an Austin crash?
Yes. Texas wrongful death law includes an unborn child at every stage of pregnancy, so parents can bring a claim when a crash caused by someone else results in the loss of a pregnancy. The mother’s own injury claim is separate. Medical records from Dell Seton or the treating hospital document what happened.
Can an adult child bring a wrongful death claim after a parent’s Austin crash?
Yes. Texas allows children of any age to recover for the death of a parent, including adult children who no longer lived at home. Their damages often focus on the loss of the relationship, guidance, and support. Each child’s relationship with the parent is shown through family members, photos, and the details of their lives together.