Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Elgin, Texas | Attorney911
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Elgin, Texas, you’re not alone. Every 57 seconds, a motor vehicle crash occurs somewhere in Texas, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty. At Attorney911, we understand the overwhelming challenges you’re facing after an accident in Elgin or the surrounding Travis County area. Our team of experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys is here to fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.
Why Elgin Accident Victims Choose Attorney911
Elgin, Texas, with its growing population and proximity to Austin, sees its share of motor vehicle accidents on highways like US-290 and local roads. When accidents happen, victims need more than just legal representation—they need a team that understands the local landscape and has the expertise to navigate complex insurance claims.
Ralph Manginello, our founding attorney with over 25 years of experience, leads our firm in serving Elgin and all of Central Texas. Our unique advantage? Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how insurance companies value claims because he used to calculate them himself. This insider knowledge gives our Elgin clients a significant edge in negotiations and litigation.
Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Accident Services for Elgin Residents
At Attorney911, we handle all types of motor vehicle accidents that occur in Elgin and throughout Travis County:
Car Accidents in Elgin
With 251,977 people injured in Texas motor vehicle crashes in 2024 alone, car accidents remain the most common type of collision. In Elgin, we frequently see accidents at busy intersections and along US-290, often resulting in injuries ranging from whiplash to traumatic brain injuries.
“In a recent case, our client’s leg was injured in a car accident. Staff infections during treatment led to a partial amputation. This case settled in the millions.” – Attorney911 Case Result
18-Wheeler and Trucking Accidents
Elgin’s location along major transportation routes means trucking accidents are a serious concern. With 39,393 commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas in 2024, these accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles.
Our firm has extensive experience handling trucking cases, including those involving FMCSA violations. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, allows us to handle complex federal cases that other firms can’t.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Tragically, Texas saw 1,053 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in 2024, representing 25.37% of all traffic fatalities. In Elgin and Travis County, drunk driving accidents devastate families. Our firm has unique expertise in these cases, including dram shop liability claims against bars and restaurants that over-serve patrons.
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives us an edge in handling both the criminal and civil aspects of drunk driving cases.
Motorcycle Accidents
Texas recorded 585 motorcyclist fatalities in 2024, with many riders not wearing helmets. In Elgin, motorcycle accidents often occur on rural roads and highways where drivers fail to see motorcyclists. Insurance companies frequently try to blame riders—we know how to counter these tactics.
Pedestrian Accidents
With 6,095 pedestrian crashes in Texas in 2024, pedestrians remain among the most vulnerable road users. In Elgin, pedestrian accidents often occur near schools, shopping centers, and residential areas. Remember: pedestrians always have the right-of-way at intersections, even unmarked ones.
Rideshare Accidents (Uber/Lyft)
As rideshare services grow in Elgin, so do accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. These cases are complex due to the multiple insurance phases that apply depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Hit and Run Accidents
When the at-fault driver flees the scene, victims often feel helpless. However, your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage can provide compensation. We’ve helped many Elgin hit and run victims recover through UM claims.
Additional Accident Types We Handle:
- Bicycle accidents
- Delivery vehicle accidents (Amazon, FedEx, DoorDash)
- Bus accidents
- Construction zone accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Weather-related accidents
- Intersection accidents
- E-scooter and e-bike accidents
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Elgin
The moments after an accident are critical. Here’s what you should do:
Immediate Actions (First 48 Hours)
- Safety First: Move to a safe location if possible
- Call 911: Report the accident and request medical assistance
- Document Everything: Take photos of vehicle damage, injuries, and the scene
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, insurance, and contact details
- Gather Witnesses: Collect names and phone numbers of witnesses
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, get checked—adrenaline masks injuries
- Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 before speaking to any insurance company
Evidence Preservation Timeline
- Days 1-7: Witness memories are freshest, scene evidence is intact
- Days 7-30: Surveillance footage from businesses may be deleted
- Months 1-6: ELD/black box data from trucks can be overwritten
- 2 Years: Texas statute of limitations deadline
“Every day you wait, evidence disappears. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is typically deleted within 7-30 days. We immediately send preservation letters to secure this critical evidence.” – Attorney911
Texas Motor Vehicle Accident Laws You Need to Know
Statute of Limitations
You have 2 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. This deadline is absolute—miss it, and your case is barred forever.
Comparative Negligence (51% Rule)
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you’re found to be 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
Minimum Insurance Requirements
Texas requires minimum auto insurance coverage of:
- $30,000 bodily injury per person
- $60,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage per accident
However, these minimums are often insufficient to cover serious injuries.
How Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Your Claim
At Attorney911, we know how insurance companies operate because Lupe Peña used to work for them. Here are the tactics they use to minimize your claim:
1. The Quick Cash Trap
Insurance companies often make lowball settlement offers within days of your accident, hoping you’ll accept before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
“In one case, insurance offered our client $5,000. After documenting the full extent of her injuries, we recovered $250,000 for her.” – Attorney911
2. Recorded Statements
Adjusters will call you, acting friendly and helpful, asking for a recorded statement. They’ll ask leading questions designed to get you to say things that hurt your case.
3. Independent Medical Exams (IMEs)
Insurance companies hire doctors to perform “independent” medical exams that are anything but independent. These doctors are paid to minimize your injuries.
“I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as a defense attorney. Here’s the truth: Insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze ONE frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the 10 minutes of you struggling before and after.” – Lupe Peña
4. Surveillance
Insurance companies hire private investigators to follow you and record your activities, hoping to catch you doing something that contradicts your injury claims.
5. Delay, Deny, Defend
Insurance companies drag out claims, hoping you’ll get desperate and accept a low settlement. They have unlimited resources and time—you don’t.
6. Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance companies will search through your entire medical history, looking for any prior injury or condition to blame for your current injuries.
Proving Liability in Your Elgin Accident Case
To win your case, we must prove the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The other driver had a legal obligation to drive safely
- Breach of Duty: They violated that duty through their actions or inactions
- Causation: Their breach directly caused your injuries
- Damages: You suffered actual harm (physical, financial, emotional)
Evidence We Use to Prove Your Case:
- Police accident reports
- Witness statements
- Photographs and videos of the scene
- Medical records and bills
- Expert testimony (accident reconstructionists, medical experts)
- Electronic data (black boxes, ELDs, GPS)
- Surveillance footage
- Cell phone records
What Compensation Can You Recover?
In Texas, accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages:
Economic Damages (No Cap)
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages (No Cap Except Medical Malpractice)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages (Capped)
Available in cases of gross negligence or malice, such as drunk driving accidents.
Settlement Ranges by Injury Type
| Injury Type | Settlement Range |
|---|---|
| Soft Tissue (Whiplash) | $15,000-$60,000 |
| Broken Bone (Simple) | $35,000-$95,000 |
| Broken Bone (Surgery) | $132,000-$328,000 |
| Herniated Disc (Conservative) | $70,000-$171,000 |
| Herniated Disc (Surgery) | $346,000-$1,205,000 |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | $1,548,000-$9,838,000 |
| Spinal Cord Injury | $4,770,000-$25,880,000 |
| Amputation | $1,945,000-$8,630,000 |
| Wrongful Death | $1,910,000-$9,520,000 |
“Multi-million dollar settlement for client who suffered brain injury with vision loss when log dropped on him at logging company.” – Attorney911 Case Result
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Elgin Accident Case?
1. Insurance Defense Insider Advantage
Lupe Peña worked for years at a national defense firm, learning firsthand how large insurance companies value claims. Now, he uses that knowledge to fight for victims like you.
2. Multi-Million Dollar Results
Our firm has recovered millions for accident victims, including:
- Multi-million dollar settlement for brain injury with vision loss
- Millions for a car accident victim whose leg injury led to amputation
- Millions for families in trucking-related wrongful death cases
3. Federal Court Experience
Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This allows us to handle complex cases that other firms can’t, including those involving federal regulations like FMCSA.
4. Personal Attention
At Attorney911, you’re not just another case. You work directly with Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, not a case manager assembly line.
“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client…You are FAMILY to them.” – Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client
5. Contingency Fee – No Risk to You
We don’t get paid unless we win your case. Free consultation. No upfront costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elgin Motor Vehicle Accidents
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Elgin?
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine
- Document everything: photos, witness information
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to any insurance company
- Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911
Should I call the police even for a minor accident?
Yes. Always call police. The police report is critical evidence. In Texas, you must report accidents with injuries, deaths, or property damage over $1,000.
Should I seek medical attention if I don’t feel hurt?
Absolutely. Many serious injuries don’t show symptoms immediately:
- Traumatic brain injuries can take days to manifest
- Internal bleeding may not be obvious
- Herniated discs may not cause pain for weeks
- Adrenaline masks pain at the scene
Insurance companies use delays in treatment against you. Get checked immediately.
What if the other driver’s insurance contacts me?
Say: “I need to speak with my attorney first.” Give only basic information (name, date of accident). Do NOT give a recorded statement. Do NOT discuss injuries or fault.
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit (statute of limitations)?
In Texas: 2 years from the date of the accident for personal injury, 2 years from the date of death for wrongful death. Miss it = case barred forever.
What is comparative negligence and how does it affect me?
Texas uses the 51% bar rule. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can recover (reduced by your fault %). If 51%+ at fault, you get nothing.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle before trial. But Attorney911 prepares every case as if it’s going to trial. That’s what gives us leverage in negotiations.
How much is my case worth?
Depends on: injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, permanent impairment, pain and suffering, insurance available. Cases range from $15,000 (soft tissue) to millions (catastrophic injury).
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
You can still recover. If the accident aggravated your pre-existing condition, you’re entitled to compensation for the aggravation. This is called the “eggshell plaintiff” rule.
How much do car accident lawyers cost?
Attorney911 works on a contingency fee basis: 33.33% before trial, 40% if trial. You pay nothing upfront. We don’t get paid unless we win.
“Leonor got me into the doctor the same day…it only took 6 months amazing.” – Chavodrian Miles, Attorney911 Client
What if I was hit by a government vehicle (city bus, police car, etc.)?
Government claims have special rules. You must file notice within 6 months (much shorter than 2-year statute of limitations). Sovereign immunity protects government entities. These cases are complex—you need an experienced attorney.
What if the other driver fled the scene (hit and run)?
File a police report immediately. Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage applies. Surveillance footage is critical—most footage is deleted 7-30 days after the accident.
What if I’m an undocumented immigrant—can I still file a claim?
Yes. Immigration status does NOT affect your right to compensation for injuries. You’re entitled to full recovery regardless of immigration status. Your case is confidential.
What if the accident happened in a parking lot?
Parking lot accidents are fully compensable. Insurance companies often argue “parking lot accidents are always 50/50 fault,” but this isn’t true. We prove fault through surveillance video, witness statements, and damage analysis.
What if I was a passenger in the at-fault vehicle?
You can sue the driver even if you were riding with them (friend, family member, Uber driver). You’re an innocent victim. The driver’s insurance covers passengers. No comparative fault issues for you.
What if the other driver died in the accident?
You can still pursue a claim against the deceased driver’s estate and insurance. Death doesn’t eliminate liability. The insurance policy still applies.
Serving Elgin and All of Central Texas
Attorney911 serves Elgin, Travis County, and all of Central Texas from our Austin office. Whether your accident occurred on US-290, near Elgin’s historic downtown, or anywhere in Travis County, we’re here to help.
Our Commitment to the Elgin Community
We understand the unique challenges faced by Elgin residents after motor vehicle accidents. From navigating insurance claims to dealing with local medical providers, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Hablamos Español
At Attorney911, we’re proud to serve Elgin’s diverse community. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our team includes bilingual staff members like Zulema.
“Especially Miss Zulema, who is always very kind and always translates.” – Celia Dominguez, Attorney911 Client
Contact Attorney911 Today
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Elgin, Texas, don’t wait. Evidence disappears daily, and the insurance company is already building its case against you.
Call Attorney911 now for a free consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We don’t get paid unless we win your case. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.
“They make you feel like family and even though the process may take some time, they make it feel like a breeze. They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” – Glenda Walker, Attorney911 Client
Additional Resources
- Car Accident Lawyer in Elgin
- 18-Wheeler Accidents in Texas
- DUI/DWI Accidents
- Attorney911 YouTube Channel
- Attorney 911 Podcast
Remember: When you’re injured in an accident in Elgin, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a legal emergency response team. That’s Attorney911.