Austin Wrongful Death Attorney

Legal Help After The Loss Of A Loved One

When a loved one dies suddenly because of someone else’s choices, everything in your world can feel unstable. You may be planning a funeral, trying to comfort children or other relatives, and wondering what, if anything, you can do about what happened. In this difficult time, working with an Austin Wrongful Death Attorney who understands Texas law and the realities of these cases can help you regain a sense of direction.

At Briggle & Polan, PLLC, we represent families after fatal crashes, dangerous property incidents, and other preventable tragedies. Our attorneys listen first, then work to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on your family. We have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in serious injury and wrongful death matters, and our work has been recognized by Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, Avvo, and the Austin Bar Foundation.

We offer free consultations and handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay upfront costs to talk with us about what happened. During that first conversation, we can explain how Texas wrongful death law may apply to your situation and what steps might help protect your rights.

If you believe your loved one’s death could have been prevented, we can review the facts, explain your options, and answer your questions. You can call us any time at (512) 400-3278 to speak with our team.

How Our Attorneys Help After A Wrongful Death

When a family contacts us after a fatal incident, our first priority is to listen and understand. We take time to learn who your loved one was, what led up to the event, and how this loss is affecting your life. From there, we look at whether Texas wrongful death law may apply and identify the information we need to investigate liability and potential compensation.

Our attorneys handle the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on your family. We gather records, review police and incident reports, analyze insurance coverage, and when appropriate consult with accident reconstruction professionals or other qualified specialists. We look for every available source of recovery and work to build a clear picture of what caused your loved one’s death and how it has changed your family’s future.

A key part of our role is protecting you from pressure by insurance companies and corporate defendants. Adjusters may contact you quickly with questions or early settlement offers that do not reflect the full value of your loss. We deal with these communications for you, respond to their requests, and pursue negotiations that are grounded in careful analysis instead of urgency or emotion.

Throughout your case, you work directly with one of our attorneys, not only with an assistant or junior staff member. We are available 24 hours a day to answer urgent questions, and we are willing to travel to meet you at your home, the hospital, or another location where you feel comfortable. We prepare each case as if it could go before a jury, and if a fair settlement is not offered, we are ready to present your case in court when that is in your best interest.

We also understand that wrongful death cases involve more than legal questions. Grief, trauma, and sudden financial strain affect every decision. When clients want additional support, we help them connect with counseling providers or therapists, and we work to keep the legal process as manageable as possible so they can focus on healing.

Who Can Bring A Wrongful Death Claim In Texas

Many families who contact us are unsure whether they are allowed to pursue a wrongful death claim. Texas law limits who can file, and understanding these rules can help you decide on next steps. In most situations, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the person who died have the right to bring a wrongful death claim.

These relatives may file together or separately, depending on the circumstances. When eligible family members do not act within a certain period, the personal representative of the estate may be able to pursue the claim for the benefit of those statutory beneficiaries. We review each family’s situation carefully, since relationships and living arrangements can be complex.

We are often asked about siblings. Unfortunately, under Texas wrongful death law, brothers and sisters are not permitted to bring a wrongful death claim for the loss of a sibling. This can be very hard to hear, especially in close families. If you are a sibling, we can still talk with you about what happened and discuss whether there are other legal issues that may affect your family.

If you are unsure about your rights, we can review your family’s circumstances and explain how the rules apply. Our goal is to give you clear information so you can decide what is right for you and your loved ones.

Compensation & Deadlines In Texas Wrongful Death Cases

No amount of money can replace the person you lost, but a wrongful death claim can help ease financial strain and recognize the impact on your family. Courts and juries may consider a range of losses when they evaluate a claim. Understanding these categories can help you see why quick settlement offers from insurers seldom reflect the full picture.

Common categories of potential wrongful death damages include:

• Loss of the deceased person’s income and employment benefits over their expected working life
• Loss of services, care, advice, and support the person provided to the family
• Mental anguish experienced by close family members
• Loss of companionship, comfort, and guidance
• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses

Texas law also sets deadlines for bringing wrongful death cases. In many situations, families have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. There can be exceptions, and related claims, such as survival actions or claims that involve government entities, may have different timelines. The specific deadlines that apply in your case depend on several factors, including where and how the incident occurred.

Because these rules are detailed and time sensitive, it is wise to speak with a wrongful death attorney promptly so we can evaluate the timelines that may apply to your case. During a free consultation, we can explain which deadlines we see based on your facts and what steps are available to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Common Causes Of Fatal Incidents We Handle

Families often reach out to us after sudden, violent events that could have been prevented. Many tragedies involve traffic on busy highways and crowded surface streets, as well as collisions involving commercial vehicles and rideshare drivers. Others arise from unsafe property conditions, defective products, or serious incidents at work.

Our experience in personal injury cases has shown us that many of these deaths could have been avoided if people or companies had made safer choices. Distracted or impaired drivers, trucking companies that push unrealistic schedules, property owners who ignore hazards, and businesses that fail to maintain safe equipment all put others at risk. In a wrongful death case, we look closely at each person or entity whose conduct may have contributed to what happened.

Examples of incidents that may lead to wrongful death claims include:

• Car crashes caused by speeding, distraction, or drunk driving
• Collisions with commercial trucks or delivery vehicles
• Crashes involving rideshare services
• Falls from unsafe stairs, walkways, or balconies
• Fatal injuries caused by negligent security or dangerous premises
• Serious workplace incidents related to unsafe equipment or procedures
• Defective products that fail during normal use

Every case is different, and liability is often more complex than it first appears. A fatal crash might involve another driver, that driver’s employer, a vehicle manufacturer, or a business that overserved alcohol. Our attorneys examine these possibilities carefully and pursue claims that reflect the full scope of responsibility.

Steps To Protect Your Family’s Rights After A Fatal Accident

In the days and weeks after losing a loved one, your focus is understandably on your family and immediate arrangements. At the same time, certain simple steps can help protect your rights if you later decide to pursue a wrongful death claim. We work to make these steps as manageable as possible and can guide you through them during a free consultation.

If law enforcement or another agency responded to the incident, there is likely an official report. Obtaining a copy of this report and keeping any written information you receive about the incident can be useful. If you have photos, messages, or contact information for witnesses, storing these materials in a safe place helps preserve important details.

Insurance companies or representatives for other parties may contact you with questions or proposed settlements. It is usually safer to limit what you say before you have spoken with a wrongful death lawyer, because statements can be taken out of context and quick offers rarely account for long term losses. When we are involved early, we can help you respond in a way that protects your options.

Simple steps that may help protect your family’s rights include:

• Keeping copies of police reports, letters, and paperwork related to the incident
• Saving any photos, videos, or messages that relate to what happened
• Writing down names and contact details for possible witnesses
• Avoiding detailed conversations or recorded statements with insurers until you have legal advice
• Contacting our firm to discuss your situation in a free, confidential consultation

When you reach out to us, we explain what a consultation involves and what information is helpful to bring, if you have it. We can meet you at our office or come to your home or another location. Our goal is to make that first step as low stress as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can File A Wrongful Death Claim In Texas?

In Texas, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the person who died typically have the right to bring a wrongful death claim. In some situations, the personal representative of the estate may file for the benefit of those family members if they have not done so within a certain period. Siblings are not allowed to bring a wrongful death claim for the loss of a brother or sister under Texas law. Because families and relationships can be complex, we can review your circumstances and explain how these rules apply in your situation.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire Your Firm For A Wrongful Death Case?

We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay upfront costs to have us review your case. Our fee is collected as a percentage of any recovery, and clients pay only if we obtain compensation for them. This structure allows families to access legal help without adding to their immediate financial strain. During your consultation, we explain how the fee works, what expenses may be involved, and how those are handled at the end of a case.

How Long Do Wrongful Death Cases Usually Take?

The length of a wrongful death case depends on several factors, including how complex the facts are, how many parties are involved, and how insurers or defendants respond. Some claims resolve through negotiation after a thorough investigation and exchange of information. Others require filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial, which can take longer. When we meet with you, we discuss these factors, outline likely timelines, and provide updates as your case progresses so you are not left wondering what is happening.

What Will Your Attorneys Actually Do For My Family?

Our attorneys investigate what happened, identify all potentially responsible parties, and gather the evidence needed to support your claim. We handle communications with insurers and defense lawyers so you do not have to manage those conversations on your own. We evaluate the full impact of your loss, including financial and non financial harm, then negotiate for a resolution that reflects that impact. If a case needs to go to court, we prepare carefully for hearings and trial, and throughout the process we keep you informed and answer your questions.

Will We Have To Go To Court?

Many wrongful death claims resolve without a trial, but we prepare each case as if it could be heard in court. If a lawsuit is filed, it will typically proceed in the court that has jurisdiction based on where the incident occurred and other legal factors. We guide you through every step of that process, explain what to expect at each stage, and help you decide whether to accept any settlement offers or continue toward trial. Our goal is to support you in making informed decisions that fit your family’s needs.

Can You Help Us With Emotional Support After A Wrongful Death?

We know that grief and trauma affect every part of life after a wrongful death. While we are not mental health professionals, we help clients connect with counseling services or therapists when they want that support. We also work to manage the legal and insurance issues so you have more space to focus on your family and your own well being. Many clients tell us that having someone handle the legal side reduces stress during a very difficult time.

When Should I Contact A Wrongful Death Lawyer After An Accident?

It is often helpful to contact a wrongful death lawyer as soon as you feel able to talk about what happened, even if you are not ready to make decisions about a claim. Early involvement can help preserve important evidence, clarify deadlines, and prevent missteps with insurers. At the same time, we respect that you are grieving, and a consultation is simply a chance to understand your options. When you reach out to us, we listen, answer your questions, and explain possible next steps without pressuring you to move faster than you are comfortable with.

Talk With Our Team About Your Next Steps

Choosing to speak with a lawyer after a wrongful death is a personal decision, and it can feel like a heavy one. When you contact Briggle & Polan, PLLC, we take time to listen, answer your questions, and explain how Texas law may apply to your situation. Our goal is to give you clear information and compassionate guidance so you can decide what is right for your family.

We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and provide direct access to our attorneys throughout your case. We are available around the clock and can meet you at our office, your home, or another location where you feel at ease. If you are looking for an Austin Wrongful Death Lawyer who will combine careful legal work with respect for what your family is going through, we are here to help you understand your options.

Call (512) 400-3278 to arrange your free consultation with our team.