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Texas Chariots of Chaos: Rules for Road Rage Republicans

Oh, brilliant, more Texan drivers confused by laws they shouldn't have to Google. Maybe if we had decent public transit, we wouldn't need a legal cheat sheet to avoid Austin's automotive Hunger Games. But sure, let's just blame the drivers, not the system. Classic.

Published October 9, 2024 at 2:58pm by

Buckle Up, Austin! Your Crash Course in Texas' Car Accident Laws 💥🚙

Oh, Texas, land of massive highways and even bigger car crashes. Last year saw a whopping 559,402 crashes statewide, with Austin racking up 35,376 – that's roughly 97 smash-ups daily! Thanks, capitalism.

If you're a frequent driver in Austin, guess what? You're basically playing a real-life game of bumper cars. Most accidents are minor, but hey, it's always fun when it's not your car getting totaled, right? Either way, it's time to wise up on Texas' car accident laws.

Texas Loves to Play the Blame Game

First things first, Texas is an "at-fault" state. Translation: if you're the hot mess who caused the crash, you're footing the bill.

According to Section 601.072 of the Texas Transportation Code, you need at least this much insurance to cover one collision:

$30,000 for injuring/killing one person
$60,000 for injuring/killing two or more people
$25,000 for wrecking someone's property

But remember, this is just liability insurance. Want coverage for your own damages? You'll need extras like PIP, MedPay, or UM/UIM. Texas says, "You do you, but don't expect us to pay for it."

Comparative Negligence: The Blame Game Gets Complicated

Austin follows Texas' comparative negligence rule. Meaning, if both drivers were acting like fools, the blame gets shared. If you're found 20% at fault, you'll only get 80% of the damages. And if you're over 50% at fault? Say goodbye to any compensation, because Texas says, "Not today, Satan." (See: Section 33.001)

Post-Crash To-Do List (Texas Edition)

Stop! Don't be a jerk and flee the scene. Hit-and-runs are so last year.
Call the cops. If there's injury, property damage over $1,000, or death, pick up the phone.
Swap deets. Exchange insurance info and take notes on the accident.
Snap pics. Document the scene like you're the next big thing on Instagram.
Get a check-up. Even if you feel fine, some injuries aren't obvious right away.
Tattle to your insurer. Snitches get... coverage?

Tick-Tock, Time to Sue

Got a beef with another driver? You've got two years to file a lawsuit. After that, Texas says, "Too bad, so sad." (Thanks, Section 16.003).

Surviving Austin's Car Accident Scene

Accidents happen, but knowing the law can help you keep your cool when the other driver's losing theirs. And if all else fails, call in the big guns: Oberg Texas car accident lawyers in Austin. They'll help you sort out the mess, so you can get back to what's really important – arguing about politics on Twitter. Drive safe, y'all! 🤘🚘