Shaw Cowart represents accident injury victims in Austin and the surrounding areas

Austin Construction Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Injured Workers

The construction boom transforming Austin's skyline comes with a hidden cost—workers suffering serious injuries on job sites across the city every day. From downtown high-rises to suburban developments, construction workers face dangers that office workers never encounter, and when accidents happen, the injuries are often life-changing. Our Austin construction accident attorneys understand the unique challenges construction workers face when seeking compensation for their injuries, including the complex interplay between workers' compensation and third-party liability claims. The construction accident lawyers Austin at Shaw Cowart fight aggressively for injured workers, pursuing every avenue of compensation available under Texas law.

The Dangers of Construction Work

Construction consistently ranks among the most dangerous industries in America, and Austin's rapid growth means more workers exposed to these hazards daily. Our Austin construction injury lawyer have seen firsthand how quickly routine work can turn catastrophic when safety protocols fail or employers cut corners. The construction accident attorneys Austin at Shaw Cowart know that most construction accidents are preventable—they result from negligence by contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or others who prioritize speed and profit over worker safety.

OSHA's Fatal Four

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies four hazard categories responsible for most construction fatalities: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents. These "Fatal Four" account for more than half of all construction worker deaths nationwide. Understanding these categories helps identify responsible parties and build strong injury claims.

Austin's Construction Environment

Austin's construction industry operates year-round, with workers facing Texas heat that compounds other dangers. Dehydration and heat exhaustion impair judgment and reaction times. Rushed schedules to complete projects create pressure to skip safety steps. The combination of environmental factors and schedule pressure makes Austin construction sites particularly hazardous.

Types of Construction Accidents

Construction accidents take many forms, each presenting unique injury patterns and liability questions.

Falls from Heights

Falls remain the leading cause of construction deaths. Workers fall from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and unprotected edges. Even falls from relatively low heights can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and fatal injuries.

Struck-By Accidents

Construction sites feature constant movement of materials, equipment, and vehicles. Workers get struck by falling objects, swinging loads, vehicles, and equipment. Hard hats provide limited protection against heavy falling objects.

Electrocution

Construction workers encounter electrical hazards from power lines, unfinished electrical systems, and faulty equipment. Electrocution can cause cardiac arrest, severe burns, falls from the shock, and death.

Caught-In/Between Accidents

Workers get caught in machinery, crushed between equipment and structures, or buried in trench collapses. These accidents cause crushing injuries, amputations, and fatalities.

Equipment Accidents

Heavy equipment—cranes, forklifts, excavators, bulldozers—cause devastating injuries when operators err, equipment malfunctions, or workers enter danger zones.

Beyond Workers' Compensation

Most injured construction workers can file workers' compensation claims, but workers' comp has significant limitations. It doesn't cover full lost wages, doesn't compensate for pain and suffering, and caps benefits regardless of injury severity. However, construction accident victims often have claims against parties beyond their employers.

Third-Party Liability

Construction sites typically involve multiple contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment suppliers. When parties other than your direct employer contribute to your accident, you can pursue third-party liability claims for full compensation including pain and suffering, full lost wages, and other damages workers' comp doesn't cover.

General Contractors

General contractors controlling job sites bear responsibility for overall site safety. When general contractor negligence causes subcontractor employee injuries, injured workers can sue the general contractor.

Property Owners

Property owners who maintain control over construction sites or create hazardous conditions may be liable for worker injuries.

Equipment Manufacturers

Defective equipment that causes injuries creates product liability claims against manufacturers regardless of employer fault.

Architects and Engineers

Design professionals whose negligent designs create hazardous conditions may share liability for resulting injuries.

Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accidents produce severe injuries reflecting the dangerous nature of the work.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Falls, struck-by accidents, and other impacts cause brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe permanent damage. TBI victims may face cognitive impairment, personality changes, and inability to return to construction work.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Falls and crushing accidents damage spinal cords, causing paralysis. Paraplegic and quadriplegic victims require lifetime care and can never return to physical labor.

Amputations

Machinery accidents and crushing injuries result in traumatic amputations or injuries requiring surgical amputation. Lost limbs end construction careers and require prosthetics and rehabilitation.

Severe Burns

Electrocution, fires, and chemical exposure cause severe burns requiring extensive treatment, grafting, and leaving permanent scarring.

Multiple Fractures

Falls and crushing accidents break multiple bones simultaneously. Compound fractures, pelvic fractures, and spinal fractures require surgery and extended recovery.

Investigating Construction Accidents

Building strong construction accident claims requires thorough investigation before the evidence disappears.

Scene Documentation

Construction sites change rapidly. Conditions existing when accidents occurred may be altered within hours. Immediate documentation preserves crucial evidence.

OSHA Reports

Serious accidents trigger OSHA investigations. These reports document violations and safety failures that support liability claims.

Safety Records

Contractor safety records, training documentation, and prior incident reports establish patterns of negligence.

Witness Identification

Construction workers move between job sites frequently. Identifying and interviewing witnesses promptly preserves testimony that might otherwise be lost.

Fighting for Injured Construction Workers

Construction workers build Austin's future while facing daily dangers. When negligence causes injuries, they deserve full compensation—not just limited workers' comp benefits. Our Austin construction accident attorneys at Shaw Cowart investigate accidents thoroughly, identify all responsible parties, and pursue maximum recovery through both workers' compensation and third-party claims.

If you were injured in an Austin construction accident, contact us immediately. Time limits apply to both workers' comp and personal injury claims, and evidence preservation is critical.

This blog was posted by Shaw-Cowart Personal Injury Attorneys in Austin, representing clients for car accident injuries, truck / 18 wheeler accidents, motorcycle accident injuries, work-related accidents, wrongful death claims and much more in Austin and the surrounding areas

Rear-End Accident Injuries and Proving Fault

Rear-end accidents happen constantly on Texas roads, from slow-speed parking lot bumps to high-speed highway collisions. While some rear-end accidents cause only minor damage, many produce serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Rear-end accidents often result in whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries that insurance companies try to downplay. Understanding how to prove fault and document injuries helps rear-end accident victims get the compensation they deserve.

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Rear-end accidents occur when one vehicle strikes another from behind. These collisions happen in stop-and-go traffic, at red lights, in construction zones, and whenever traffic slows unexpectedly. Rear-end accidents account for approximately 29% of all crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The driver who hits another vehicle from behind almost always bears fault because drivers must maintain safe following distances.

Check out this Austin car accident injury webpage

Texas sees countless rear-end accidents every day on congested highways like I-35, I-10, and the Dallas-Fort Worth road system. Rear-end accidents in heavy traffic may seem like minor fender-benders, but the occupants of struck vehicles often suffer injuries that do not become apparent until hours or days later. Taking proper steps after a rear-end accident protects your health and legal rights.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Most rear-end accidents result from driver inattention or following too closely. Several specific behaviors lead to these preventable collisions.

Distracted driving tops the list of rear-end accident causes. Drivers looking at phones, eating, adjusting controls, or focused on passengers fail to notice slowing or stopped traffic ahead. A driver distracted for just a few seconds may not have time to stop when traffic conditions change.

Tailgating eliminates the safe stopping distance drivers need when traffic slows. Aggressive drivers who follow too closely cannot stop in time when the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly. The standard following distance of three to four seconds provides the necessary reaction time.

Speeding reduces the time available to react to changing conditions and increases stopping distances. A vehicle traveling 70 mph requires significantly more distance to stop than one traveling 55 mph. Speeding drivers cause more severe rear-end accidents.

Impaired driving slows reaction times and impairs judgment. Drunk or drugged drivers may not notice brake lights ahead until too late. Impairment-related rear-end accidents often occur at high speeds because impaired drivers fail to recognize dangers.

Fatigued driving produces effects similar to impairment. Drowsy drivers have slower reaction times and may briefly fall asleep at the wheel. A driver who dozes for even a second can cause a rear-end collision.

Sudden stops by lead vehicles sometimes contribute to rear-end accidents. However, the following drivers must account for the possibility that traffic may stop unexpectedly. Brake-checking or intentionally causing rear-end accidents creates liability for the lead driver.

Injuries from Rear-End Collisions

The unexpected nature of rear-end impacts often catches occupants unprepared, increasing injury severity. Occupants may not brace themselves before impact because they have no warning the collision is coming.

Whiplash injuries occur when the head snaps backward, then forward upon impact. This rapid motion strains or tears muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. Whiplash symptoms may not appear until 24 to 72 hours after the accident. Severe whiplash causes chronic pain and requires extensive treatment.

Herniated discs result when spinal discs rupture or bulge due to collision forces. The soft interior of discs can press on spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. Herniated discs may require surgery when conservative treatment fails.

Traumatic brain injuries occur even in seemingly minor rear-end accidents. The brain impacts the skull during the whipping motion, causing concussions or more severe damage. TBI symptoms may be subtle initially but can cause lasting cognitive problems.

Back injuries affect the thoracic and lumbar spine in rear-end collisions. Compression fractures, muscle strains, and ligament damage cause acute and chronic pain. Many rear-end accident victims develop long-term back problems.

Shoulder and arm injuries result from bracing against steering wheels or being thrown against doors and consoles. Rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, and arm fractures require medical treatment and physical therapy.

Proving Fault in Rear-End Accidents

Texas law creates a presumption that the rear driver caused a rear-end accident. Drivers must maintain control of their vehicles and keep a safe following distance. Failing to stop before hitting another vehicle indicates negligence.

Police reports document the investigating officer's findings about fault. While not conclusive, police reports carry significant weight with insurance companies and courts. The report describes the accident scene, vehicle damage, witness statements, and any citations issued.

Physical evidence of the collision helps prove fault. Damage to the rear of your vehicle and the front of the other vehicle establishes how the collision occurred. Photographs of damage should be taken at the scene.

Witness statements from other drivers and passengers support your account of what happened. Independent witnesses who saw the collision can confirm that the other driver rear-ended you.

Surveillance video from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dashcams may capture the collision. This footage provides objective evidence of how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

The rear driver may claim you stopped suddenly or that you somehow caused the collision. However, Texas law requires drivers to maintain sufficient following distance to stop safely, regardless of what happens ahead. These defenses rarely succeed.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies handling rear-end accident claims often try to minimize payouts. They may claim your injuries are minor, pre-existing, or unrelated to the accident. Understanding their tactics helps you protect your claim.

Recorded statements requested by insurance adjusters can be used against you. Adjusters ask leading questions designed to elicit answers that hurt your claim. You are not required to provide recorded statements to the other driver's insurance company.

Quick settlement offers may seem attractive but often undervalue claims. Insurance companies know that injury symptoms may worsen over time. Accepting early settlements forecloses recovery for future medical needs.

Medical record requests seek information to blame your injuries on pre-existing conditions. While insurers can review records related to your injuries, blanket authorizations give them access to your entire medical history.

Delay tactics frustrate claimants into accepting low offers. Insurance companies know that financial pressure builds as medical bills accumulate. Having experienced attorneys handle your claim counters these tactics.

Get Help with Your Rear-End Accident Claim

The car accident attorneys at Shaw Cowart help rear-end accident victims throughout Texas. We document injuries thoroughly, gather evidence to prove fault, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies. When insurers refuse fair settlements, we take cases to trial.

If you were injured in a rear-end accident, contact Shaw Cowart today for a free consultation. We can evaluate your case and explain your options for pursuing compensation.

Carabin Shaw is one of the leading personal injury law firms in Texas. They have extensive experience in Personal Injury Claims-Car Accident Cases, focusing on securing maximum compensation for clients that reflects the full extent of their medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Specialization: Personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, 18-wheeler accidents.