Every state has their fair share of poorly designed intersections. Whether you are driving in a car or crossing the street, bad intersections can be dangerous, especially if there are negligent drivers on the road. If you are injured in a car accident at a bad intersection, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

When entering an intersection known for deadly accidents, paying extra attention to your surroundings can save your life and others. Here are four things you should do to prevent a crash at a bad intersection:

1. Avoid any distractions. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed more than 3,100 lives in 2019 alone. This includes distractions such as texting, talking, eating, etc.
2. Do not tailgate. Always maintain a safe following distance when driving behind another vehicle. This way, if the vehicle stops suddenly, you have time to react.
3. Pay attention to the actions of other drivers. One of the most common traffic violations is running a red light. This can be particularly dangerous at the intersection of two streets with high speed limits. If you see another motorist on a perpendicular road approaching the intersection with no indication of slowing down, stop just in case they run the light.
4. Obey traffic signals. One of the biggest design flaws of a bad intersection is the short amount of time the signal takes to rotate. If you see a yellow light, do not try to race it. By the time the light turns red, there may already be a pedestrian crossing the street.

While it may feel like an extra hassle, approaching a bad intersection with caution can help reduce the chance of a serious accident and keep everyone safe.

Injured in an Accident at a Bad Intersection? Our Attorneys Can Help

If you have been injured due to the negligence of a driver at a bad intersection, call Shaw Cowart LLP today at 512-499-8900 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We welcome clients living in Austin, TX and the surrounding area.

Posted in Car Accidents, Distracted Driving, Motorcycle Accident, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking Accident | No Comments »

A no-contact motorcycle accident happens when another driver causes a motorcycle to crash without hitting them. In many of these accidents, the driver’s negligence can cause serious injuries to the motorcyclist. For example, if a driver cuts off a motorcycle and the rider has to swerve to avoid the crash, the driver could be held liable for the accident. While the driver may try to avoid responsibility for the collision or even drive off after causing it, the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Shaw Cowart LLP can help.

There are a variety of ways a no-contact motorcycle accident can occur. Some of the most common causes include:

• Failing to see motorcycles riding close to the vehicle
• Changing lanes without a signal
• Tailgating a motorcycle
• Brake-checking a motorcycle
• Failing to check blind spots
• Driving while distracted or intoxicated
• Refusing to yield the right of way
• Running a red light
• Speeding

All no-contact motorcycle accidents have unique circumstances, so hiring a personal injury lawyer is critical. Generally, it can be difficult to prove that a negligent driver is at fault for a no-contact accident, even if they leave the scene. At Shaw Cowart LLP, we can help you collect evidence, determine the cause of the accident, and demonstrate the driver’s negligence.

In cases where the driver doesn’t notice that they caused a crash and drives off, the police will treat it as a hit and run. However, it may take them several weeks or months to find the negligent driver, leaving you with medical bills and other expenses. In this scenario, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you make a claim with your own auto insurer and, once the police find the driver, pursue compensation on your behalf.

Injured in a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident? Shaw Cowart LLP Can Help

If you have been injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, call Shaw Cowart LLP today at 512-499-8900 for a complimentary case review. Our skilled personal injury attorneys will fight for your wellbeing. We welcome clients living in Austin, Texas and the surrounding area.

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Did you know that the number one cause of car accidents is driver distraction? In 2018, the CDC reported nearly 3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries in accidents involving distracted drivers. If you have been injured in a crash due to a distracted driver, our car accident attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover.

There are several ways someone can become distracted while driving, whether it is physical or mental. The most common distractions that cause car accidents include:

• Talking/texting: This is the biggest cause of distracted driving accidents in the country. According to the National Safety Council, 26% of all crashes involve a cell phone.
• Using GPS: Setting up a GPS route while driving is another common factor in distracted driving incidents. If you need to use a GPS, mount it somewhere that is easily visible and enable vocal directions.
• Adjusting console controls: Whether you are changing the temperature or trying to choose music, it can take your attention off the road. Ask a passenger to make console adjustments or wait until you have stopped.
• Applying makeup: Many people running late to work or other activities try to finish their makeup while driving. By taking your hands off the wheel, a potential accident can become much more deadly.
• Reading: Driving safely requires your full attention. Trying to read at the same time as driving will increase your cognitive load, making it difficult to stay focused on the road.

While there are other ways a driver may get distracted, these examples are the easiest to avoid. Taking your eyes off the road for even one second can lead to a serious accident. If someone’s distracted driving causes you injury, seek medical attention immediately and then contact our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys for assistance.

Injured in a Car Accident? Shaw Cowart LLP Can Help

If you have been injured in a car accident because of a distracted driver, call Shaw Cowart LLP today at 512-499-8900 to schedule a complimentary consultation. Our experienced car accident attorneys are committed to fighting on your behalf. We proudly serve clients from our office in Austin, TX.

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A catastrophic injury is any injury that has life-altering consequences. They often lead to ongoing medical treatment, long-term physical care, or permanent disability. With the help of our experienced personal injury lawyers at Shaw Cowart LLP, you can pursue compensation for the immediate and future consequences of catastrophic injuries.

In personal injury claims, catastrophic injuries include:

• Severe Physical Injuries: This is any injury that changes your physical appearance and/or ability, including amputations, severe fractures, burns, organ failure, heart attacks, eye injuries, and orthopedic issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries often cause permanent mobility issues for survivors, requiring slower movement or mobility assistance devices like wheelchairs, scooters, or canes. Spinal injuries come in the form of nerve damage, herniated disks, or fractured vertebrae.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Cognitive issues are some of the most devastating types of catastrophic injuries. Severe brain damage can take away your ability to speak or form memories. A TBI can be caused by several things, including blunt force trauma, high-impact sports, falls, concussive blasts, and more.

Each of these catastrophic injuries, regardless of their severity, can have a lasting impact on the victims and their families. Since the victims require consistent care, family members may have to quit their jobs or hire a caretaker, which can cost thousands of dollars.

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At Shaw Cowart LLP, our personal injury attorneys help victims seek compensation for a variety of expenses associated with their catastrophic injuries, including:

• Lost wages and lower earning capacity
• Current and future medical costs
• Lower quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation
• Daily care

We know the strategies that insurance companies use to reduce the overall value of a claim. Using all the details of your case, we can help you hold the party responsible for your injuries accountable.

Shaw Cowart LLP Will Fight for You

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, call Shaw Cowart LLP today at 512-499-8900 for a complimentary consultation. Our attorneys are committed to helping you pursue the resources you need. We are proud to serve clients from our office in Austin, TX.

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The chances of winning a personal injury lawsuit depend on the skill and experience of your personal injury lawyer. Since you only have one chance to pursue the compensation you deserve, you need to find a firm with proven results. At Shaw Cowart, LLP, our seasoned personal injury attorneys have handled thousands of cases and are dedicated to fighting for your financial recovery.

No matter what type of personal injury claim you have, handling it on your own can be difficult. Since the insurance companies have teams of lawyers on their side, you are unlikely to get the compensation you need to recover. Having powerful legal representation from Shaw Cowart, LLP evens the odds and gives you extra resources. Our personal injury lawyers will help you:

• Gather evidence. To build a strong case, we will find documented evidence that supports your claim, including photographs, statements, recordings, accident reports, and more.
• Interview witnesses. If anyone witnessed the events leading to your injury, we will interview them for you and use their statements to validate your account.
• Investigate the incident. For cases where the cause of the incident is unclear, our personal injury attorneys will examine the scene of your injury for additional evidence.
• Hire expert witnesses. We can hire experts to help prove different aspects of your case. This includes doctors who can explain the long-term impacts of your injuries and whether they will require future treatment.
• Identify the party responsible for your injury. If your case involves worksite injuries, a multi-vehicle accident, or a defective product, we will help you determine the individual or party responsible for your suffering.

When you file a personal injury lawsuit, the stakes are too high to handle it alone. Our personal injury attorneys will fight to pursue compensation on your behalf.

Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer You Can Trust

If you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another, call Shaw Cowart, LLP today at 512-499-8900 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are proud to serve clients living in Austin and nearby Texas communities.

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After being hurt in a car accident, you may be wondering if you should try to pursue compensation on your own. At Shaw Cowart LLP, our dedicated car accident attorneys can give you peace of mind by managing your claim, preventing errors, and fighting for what is in your best interest.

Ways That a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Claim

There are several benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney for your car accident case. In addition to having vast legal knowledge, our attorneys can:

• Level the playing field: Insurance adjusters are trained to limit or deny the amount of compensation you request. Our experienced lawyers know the strategies used by insurance companies to lessen a claim and will help ensure you don’t take an offer for less than you deserve.
• Handle all of the details: Car accident claims with injuries can become quite complex. Insurance companies often require a lot of evidence. We can help collect accident reports, medical records, and more to build a strong claim.
• Prevent errors: Most mistakes made in personal injury claims are small, but they can add up. Having our lawyers manage your case helps prevent errors like missing a deadline or making a statement that the insurance company will use against you.
• Negotiate on your behalf: Insurance companies may use aggressive tactics to get you to accept a settlement that’s too low. We won’t be intimidated by these tactics and will fight for you.

When You Should Hire a Car Accident Attorney

You should always consider speaking to a lawyer if:

• The car accident caused serious injuries or a loved one’s death
• You or your family are emotionally distressed by the injuries
• Your accident led to a temporary or permanent disability
• You have missed work days during recovery
• You don’t know the full extent of your damages
• You are worried that the insurance company’s settlement offer won’t cover your losses.

In cases like these, our attorneys’ knowledge and experience can help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call Shaw Cowart LLP today at 512-499-8900. Our car accident attorneys in Austin, Texas will take the fight to insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.

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For most personal injury cases, victims usually pursue compensation for property damage, medical treatment, lost wages, and more. These are referred to as damages. At Shaw Cowart LLP, our experienced personal injury attorneys want to first listen to you to learn how this injury has impacted your life. Then, we will tirelessly pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

Four types of damages are recoverable in a personal injury claim: special damages, general damages, and punitive damages.

Our attorneys will pursue economic, or special, damages. This compensation is awarded for monetary expenses or losses due to your injury, including:

• Current and future medical costs
• Ongoing medical care
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Lower earning capacity
• Property damage

These impacts on your life and livelihood can be catastrophic, frustrating and isolating. We take ample individualized time to get to know how you have been affected, because that is how we build the strongest case to pursue every last dollar you need and deserve.

General damages, also known as non-economic damages, provide compensation for the physical and emotional anguish you experience as a result of your injuries. These damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Physical disfigurement or impairment
• Emotional distress
• Lowered quality of life
• Loss of companionship or consortium

The amount of compensation for general damages varies from case to case. Cases with catastrophic injuries tend to have higher general damages, and a wrongful death case may include additional compensation for funeral expenses and loss of support. In Texas, only the spouse, children, or parents of the victim may receive wrongful death compensation.

The last type of damages, known as punitive damages, are rare. They are awarded to victims in situations where the conduct of the defendant is extremely careless or malicious. This includes acts of fraud and assault. In addition, juries may award punitive damages in cases involving defective products or defective drugs.

If you have suffered any of these damages due to the negligence of another, call Shaw Cowart LLP today at 512-499-8900. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas will fight for the compensation you deserve.

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If you were injured and are thinking about hiring a personal injury attorney, there are some important questions you should ask.

Since you will be working closely with your lawyer, you should be able to trust them to represent you. At Shaw Cowart LLP, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys knows what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.

Here are some of the questions you should ask a prospective personal injury lawyer during your initial consultation.

Have you handled personal injury cases like mine before?

Just because a personal injury attorney has experience doesn’t mean they’ve handled a case like yours before. Ask them about their experience and their case results. For example, if you suffered an injury in a car accident, you should avoid a personal injury lawyer who only works on worksite injuries.

How much time will you spend on my case?

Some lawyers might take on too many cases at one time and put yours to the side while they find additional clients. At Shaw Cowart LLP, our experienced personal injury lawyers will devote time and attention to your case right away. We are always just a phone call away.

What is your fee structure?

Most personal injury attorneys use a contingency fee structure. This means that you don’t owe them any fees unless you win your case. On average, personal injury lawyers usually take 25% to 40% of the award as payment.

How long does it take to resolve cases similar to mine?

Always ask a personal injury attorney how long it takes to resolve a case similar to yours. Although many factors affect the length of a case, a potential lawyer should be able to give you an estimate.

If you’ve been injured in an accident and need an experienced personal injury attorney you can trust, give Shaw Cowart LLP a call today at 512-499-8900. Our partners have proven results representing personal injury clients in Austin, San Antonio, and nationwide.

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With stay-at-home orders and business closings, the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the workforce in ways that most have not experienced in their lifetimes. Many companies have been forced to make difficult decisions, while employees are left frightened, confused, and unsure of their legal rights.

The experienced employment litigation attorneys at Shaw Cowart LLC have extensive experience in helping both employers and employees in complex matters of business law, including wrongful discharge.

How Wrongful Discharge Laws Apply to COVID-19

Terminations that are most likely to be considered wrongful in relation to COVID-19 deal with matters of public policy violations. An employer may not terminate a worker’s employment for:

• Taking family leave
• Complaining about or reporting illegal actions of an employer
• Refusing to commit an illegal act

These laws can apply to COVID-19 in certain situations. For example, if the government has ordered a business to close, yet that employer still expects employees to report to work, that can be interpreted as asking them to commit an illegal act. Employees should not be expected to refuse a government-mandated order on behalf of an employer.

Similarly, an employee cannot be legally fired for adhering to a doctor’s order to self-isolate after exhibiting potential COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, the Family Medical Care Act gives employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave and subsequent job protection to deal with family and medical needs, as well as individuals who face childcare responsibilities that result from school closures.

Other Examples of Wrongful Discharge

Other illegal reasons for termination include:

• Complaining about or reporting OSHA violations
• Retaliation
• Discrimination
• Terminations that violate public policy

Business litigation cases can be incredibly complex, and require the knowledge, skill and resources of an experienced lawyer. Shaw Cowart LLP has helped both employees and employers in these matters. We have served as regional and national counsel for a wide range of clients, from small, locally-owned businesses, to public entities and Fortune 500 companies. We understand the law and know how to build your strongest case.

Schedule Your Wrongful Discharge Consultation Today

If you are in need of an experienced wrongful discharge attorney, contact Shaw Cowart LLP today at our Austin or Houston office online or at 512-499-8900 to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced lawyer.

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Unfortunately, car accidents occur far too frequently, and chances are that you’ll likely experience some type of collision at some point in your life. Fortunately, the majority of accidents are minor, and result in minimal damage and mild injuries. Since accidents happen so suddenly and unexpectedly, many times, the drivers involved in the crash aren’t exactly sure what happened, or what caused the wreck.

It’s important to determine the details of the collision, especially when injuries are involved, in order to identify the party responsible for paying damages. Police officers and insurance companies use a variety of sources to try to piece together the facts in a case, including crash-site analysis, driver and witness statements, police reports, and in some instances, video footage.

Using Video Footage to Establish Negligence

Cameras seem to be everywhere these days. They can be found in office buildings, intersections, and parking lots. It’s very possible that no matter where your collision occurred, there was a video camera somewhere that captured part or all of it. Video surveillance can involve personal cameras, public or government cameras, and commercial cameras. When establishing negligence, footage may be used from virtually any type of camera that recorded the accident, including:

• Vehicle recording devices
• Doorbell cameras
• Video surveillance cameras
• Traffic cameras
• Cell phones

If you suspect a video camera may have captured your accident, the first step is to investigate the scene of the crash for cameras. It’s important to get camera information very quickly because footage is often recorded over after a brief period of time. Once that happens, the video – and your proof of someone else’s negligence – is gone forever. It will be critical to know the exact date and time of the incident.

Some surveillance videos may be on government devices, while others may be privately owned. You’ll need to get the appropriate permission to access video surveillance of a specific accident.

The experienced car accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart LLP will help you determine if video camera footage will be helpful in your case. We know how to investigate every detail of auto accidents, and we will leverage our experience, knowledge, and resources to build your strongest case and pursue the maximum compensation to which you are rightfully entitled under the law.

Call Our Austin Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured in a wreck, contact Shaw Cowart LLP today at our Austin or Houston office online or at 512-499-8900 to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.

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