Skip to content
Austin Wrongful Death Lawyer
Nationally Recognized
and Award Winning Lawyers Since 2014
5.0 Google Rating
with over 900+ Reviews
Over $300M
Won for Clients That Have Become Family
Content Reviewed By:
Date Last Updated: September 25, 2026
Someone Else's Negligence Took a Member of Your Family. We Fight to Get You What You Deserve.
Shamieh Law represents surviving family members in Austin who lost a spouse, child, or parent because someone else was careless.
With over $300 million recovered and 40+ years of combined experience, our Austin wrongful death lawyers investigate liability, confront the insurance companies, and pursue the financial compensation Texas law allows.
Call 512-503-1230 for a free consultation.
If your husband, wife, mother, father, son, or daughter died in a fatal car accident, a truck crash, a fall on a construction site, or a preventable act of violence, you are making legal decisions during the worst month of your life.
Within days of a fatal accident, an insurance adjuster will call you, sound sympathetic, and ask for a recorded statement that can later be used to argue your loved one caused their own death.
Vehicle telematics and camera data can be overwritten within days, and private surveillance footage may be gone before anyone asks for it.
Texas law adds its own traps.
Only a limited group of people can file a wrongful death claim, and if the wrong family member signs the wrong paperwork, the case can be delayed or dismissed.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, so if the defense convinces a jury your loved one was 51 percent responsible, your family recovers nothing.
Families who wait, who try to handle an Austin wrongful death case alone, or who accept the insurer’s first offer give up ground they rarely get back.
The decision that matters most right now is who you put between your family and the people responsible.
How Shamieh Law Can Help You Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in Austin
Shamieh Law handles wrongful death cases across Austin and Travis County for families whose loss was caused by another party’s negligence.
An Austin wrongful death attorney has to preserve evidence, identify every liable party and insurance policy, and build the case while you take care of your family.
We handle fatal motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, and premises liability deaths across Travis County, including the following types of cases.
Fatal Car Accident Claims
A fatal car accident is one of the most common causes of a wrongful death claim in Austin, and it is rarely as simple as the police report makes it look.
Shamieh Law pulls event data recorder downloads, traffic camera footage, cell phone records, and toll tag data to reconstruct the seconds before impact.
When the at fault driver’s policy limits are too low, we look for additional coverage through underinsured motorist policies, employer liability, and commercial policies the insurer never mentioned.
Fatal Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Claims
Commercial truck crashes on I-35, US 183, and SH 71 kill Austin families every year, and the trucking company’s rapid response team can be on scene before the road reopens.
Shamieh Law sends spoliation letters as soon as we are retained to lock down electronic logging device records, driver qualification files, maintenance logs, and dispatch communications, then uses accident reconstruction technology to analyze what that evidence shows.
We recovered $2,000,000 for a family whose loved one was killed by an overweight 18-wheeler that ran a red light, a result driven by the specific evidence of multiple negligent parties in that crash.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Claims
Insurers defending fatal motorcycle crashes in Austin routinely argue the rider was speeding or lane splitting.
Shamieh Law counters that narrative with helmet and impact damage analysis, roadway evidence, and independent witness statements showing the driver turned across the rider’s path or never checked a blind spot.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatality Claims
Pedestrians and cyclists account for a substantial share of Austin’s traffic deaths, and the driver’s insurer will often claim the victim stepped out without warning.
Shamieh Law investigates crosswalk design, signal timing, lighting, and driver sight lines to show a driver had time to stop and failed to.
Drunk Driving Fatality Claims
When a drunk driver kills someone in Austin, the criminal case is brought to punish the driver and rarely covers what your family has lost, even where a court orders restitution.
Shamieh Law pursues the driver, and where the evidence supports it, the bar or venue that kept serving a customer who was obviously intoxicated to the point of being a clear danger under Texas dram shop law.
These deaths can also support a claim for exemplary damages, on clear and convincing evidence of gross negligence, under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.009, which we plead where the facts justify it.
Rideshare and Hit-and-Run Fatality Claims
Deaths involving Uber and Lyft vehicles turn on which of three periods the driver was in, because Texas sets different coverage for the app being off, the app being on while the driver waits, and a prearranged ride, which begins when the driver accepts the request.
Shamieh Law subpoenas trip records and app data to establish the driver’s status at the moment of the crash.
In hit-and-run deaths, we work alongside law enforcement while separately pursuing uninsured motorist coverage so your family is not left waiting on an arrest.
Construction and Workplace Fatality Claims
Construction and extraction workers accounted for 1,032 of the 5,070 fatal work injuries recorded nationwide in 2024, and Austin’s building boom puts crews on unfinished floors, scaffolds, and trench walls every day.
Shamieh Law pursues third party claims against general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment suppliers whose safety failures caused the death.
We settled a case for $9,500,000 after a worker fell 30 feet to his death, a result tied to the specific evidence that no training and no fall protection were provided.
Industrial Explosion, Oil Field, and Burn Fatality Claims
Industrial explosions, refinery incidents, and oil and gas site accidents kill workers through failures that are often documented long before the blast.
Shamieh Law obtains inspection reports, safety audits, and internal maintenance records to show a company knew about the hazard and kept operating anyway.
Negligent Security and Premises Liability Death Claims
A property owner or business that controls the premises in Austin can be liable for a fatal assault or fall, but only where it knew or had reason to know of an unreasonable and foreseeable risk.
Shamieh Law gathers prior incident reports, police call histories for the address, and internal complaints to prove the owner knew the property was dangerous and chose not to fix it.
We obtained a $5,000,000 recovery for the family of an employee murdered during a robbery after she had repeatedly asked for better security, a result driven by that documented notice.
Defective Product and Equipment Failure Death Claims
Some Austin deaths are caused by a product that failed rather than a careless person, including airbag failures, defective vehicle components, exploding vape batteries, and unguarded industrial machinery.
Shamieh Law preserves the product itself, retains engineering experts to establish the defect, and takes on the burden of proving liability against the manufacturer, and against a distributor or retailer where Texas law allows a claim against a nonmanufacturing seller.
Survival Claims Filed Alongside Your Wrongful Death Suit
A survival claim is a separate cause of action belonging to your loved one’s estate that covers what they endured between the injury and their death, and it exists under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.021.
Shamieh Law files the survival claim alongside the wrongful death suit where that fits your family’s situation, and handles any probate steps needed so nothing is lost to a procedural gap.
How Our Attorneys, Who Have Won Over $300 Million For Injury Victims, Can Help You With Your Wrongful Death Claim
Choosing an Austin wrongful death attorney is the one decision you still fully control, and the law firm you pick shapes what the other side thinks Texas wrongful death cases like yours are worth.
Founder Ramez Shamieh has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year since 2014, named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
That means your case is handled by an attorney whose work has been evaluated by other lawyers, not by a marketing budget.
Our team brings 40+ years of combined experience and has recovered over $300 for clients, including multimillion dollar results in fatal construction, trucking, and negligent security cases.
That proven track record carries weight before a lawsuit is filed, because the other side knows which firms in Texas wrongful death cases are prepared to try one.
Every attorney, paralegal, and case manager here has trained with adjusters, medical doctors, safety experts, and life care planners.
That means the person valuing your family’s lost financial support knows how an insurer will attack those numbers.
A wrongful death case can be signed by one attorney and quietly worked by another while everyone waits for an offer.
Shamieh Law staffs these cases with the attorneys who earned those credentials, consults with families in English or Spanish at no cost, advances case expenses, and prepares each case for trial.
Why Choose Our Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to Represent You
We don’t just handle cases—we champion our clients’ interests and fight for the justice they deserve. When you trust us with your case, you become part of our family, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are here to serve you.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- An Elite Legal Team – We’ve hand-picked top attorneys, paralegals, and case managers, all trained by leading experts in law, insurance, medicine, and safety.
- Proven Results – Our firm has recovered over $300 million for injury victims.
- Recognized Excellence – Our attorneys have earned recognition from Super Lawyers, Texas Lawyer Magazine, D Magazine, and The National Trial Lawyers 40 Under 40.
- Rapid Action on Your Case – We don’t wait to get started. Our team works with urgency, using advanced technology to analyze evidence and get you answers fast.
- A Client-First Approach – We understand the challenges you’re facing, from medical expenses to property damage, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
- More Than Just Lawyers – We’re committed to protecting our neighbors and giving back to the communities we serve.
At Shamieh Law, “Winning With Awareness” means we fight aggressively for results while never losing sight of the people we represent. Every case is different, and we take the time to craft a legal strategy that fits your unique situation.
When you need a firm that’s ready to take action, call us today. We’re here to help.
Winning Life-Changing Settlements for Injury Victims
We have recovered millions on behalf of our deserving clients, and now we’re here to do the same for you. Below are just a few examples of the settlements and verdicts our attorneys have achieved:
Our Austin Office
If you can’t make the trip to our offices for your free consultation, our team will travel to you. Our primary goal is your comfort and well-being. We seek to provide the assistance you need during this stressful time, and we understand the importance of helping you focus on recovery.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win Your Case
At Shamieh Law, we believe the cost of quality representation should not hold you back from pursuing the compensation you need and deserve. We understand you may have lost your main source of income or vehicle after an accident and could also be facing substantial medical bills.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. In Austin, contingency fees are common agreements between the lawyer and the client in which the attorney does not collect a fee unless they win or settle the case.
The fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the compensation awarded. This arrangement allows clients with limited financial resources to access legal representation without paying out-of-pocket fees. So, you owe us nothing unless we win.
Talk to an Austin Wrongful Death Attorney Today
Your family’s ability to hold the responsible party accountable has an expiration date, and in Texas that date is two years from the day your loved one died.
Every week that passes, evidence degrades, witnesses move, and the defense gets a stronger argument that your delay means the claim was never serious.
The consultation costs you nothing, and there is no obligation to hire us afterward.
Families who seek justice early recover compensation that reflects the full weight of the victim’s death, and waiting is the one thing in a wrongful death claim that cannot be undone.
Call Shamieh Law now at 512-503-1230 to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney about your family’s case.
You take care of your family, and we will handle the people responsible.
"*" indicates required fields
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims in Austin
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Texas?
Only the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim in Texas under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004. Siblings and grandparents cannot file, even if they were financially dependent on the person who died. Texas recognizes common law marriage, so an informal spouse who can prove the marriage may qualify as a surviving spouse. They may file individually or jointly, and if none files within three months, the estate’s executor or administrator generally must bring the claim unless all beneficiaries ask otherwise. The Texas wrongful death statute also governs how any recovery is divided among them.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Austin?
You generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death suit under Section 16.003(b) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Missing it usually ends the case permanently, no matter how strong the evidence is. Limited exceptions exist, including claims for a minor child and cases where the responsible party concealed their involvement, but never assume one applies to you. Claims against a city, county, or other governmental unit also carry much shorter notice deadlines, so confirm the date that applies to your family rather than assuming the Texas statute of limitations you read about for crash claims.
What damages can surviving family members recover in a Texas wrongful death case?
Texas law allows surviving family members to recover both economic damages and non economic damages in a wrongful death case. Economic damages cover the past and future income, financial support, household services, and inheritance your loved one would have provided. Wrongful death compensation also includes non economic damages for mental anguish, emotional suffering, and the loss of love, companionship, and guidance. Medical expenses incurred before death and funeral expenses are generally pursued through the estate’s survival claim instead, so they are recovered once rather than twice.
When can a family recover punitive damages in a wrongful death claim?
Punitive damages, called exemplary damages in Texas, may be awarded when the death was caused by gross negligence or a willful act or omission rather than ordinary carelessness. Drunk driving deaths, deliberate safety violations by a trucking company, and employers who knowingly ignore a fatal hazard are the kinds of conduct that can support them. Because punitive damages exist to punish the defendant’s actions rather than compensate your family, they must be proved by clear and convincing evidence.
What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival claim?
A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving spouse, children, and parents for their own losses, while a survival claim compensates the estate for what the deceased endured before dying. The survival claim can include conscious pain and suffering, medical bills incurred between injury and death, and funeral costs, which matters where traumatic brain injuries or burns left a person alive for days. Both usually arise from the same incident, and any survival recovery passes through the estate to the heirs rather than to the beneficiaries named in the wrongful death suit.
How much does an Austin wrongful death lawyer cost?
Shamieh Law, like most Austin wrongful death lawyers, handles these claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front and owe no attorney’s fee unless the personal injury claim results in a recovery. The fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict and is agreed in writing before any work begins. Case expenses such as expert witnesses and accident reconstruction are advanced by the law firm and reimbursed from any recovery under the written fee agreement, so your family is not asked to fund the investigation while dealing with funeral costs and lost income.
What should I do right after a family member dies in an accident in Austin?
Get a copy of the police report and preserve everything connected to the accident, including the vehicle, medical records, photographs, and witness contact details, then speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney before you talk to any insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement to the at fault party’s insurer, talk to a lawyer before giving one to your own, and do not sign a release, because the first settlement offer is often made before the full extent of your family’s losses is known.
Do I still have a case if my loved one was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes, as long as your loved one was not more than 50 percent responsible, because Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule that bars recovery only when the deceased bears 51 percent or more of the blame. If your loved one is found partly at fault, the recovery is reduced by that percentage rather than eliminated. Insurance companies routinely overstate the victim’s share of fault, which is one reason the fact that Texas is not a no fault state matters so much to how these cases are investigated.
Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if the at fault driver is facing criminal charges?
Yes, a wrongful death lawsuit is a civil case seeking financial compensation for your family, and it proceeds independently of any criminal prosecution. The criminal case is brought by the state to punish the defendant and generally does not provide the full damages a civil claim can, though a court may order restitution and crime victim benefits may be available. The civil case also uses a lower burden of proof, so a family can succeed in a wrongful death suit even when the criminal case ends in an acquittal or is never filed at all.
How dangerous are Austin roads for fatal accidents?
Austin police recorded 103 traffic fatalities across 96 fatal crashes within the city in 2024, a preliminary count that can change as investigations close, against 4,150 traffic deaths statewide that year and no deathless day on Texas roadways. Fatal crashes are logged across corridors including I-35, US 183, US 290, and MoPac, where high speeds meet heavy commuter and commercial traffic. Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of the Austin wrongful death cases we handle in Travis County.
Who can be held liable when a fatal crash involves a commercial vehicle?
Liability in a fatal commercial vehicle crash often extends well beyond the driver to the motor carrier, the vehicle owner, the cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, and sometimes the manufacturer of a failed component. Each of those parties may carry its own insurance or other coverage, which is why identifying every responsible party matters more in truck accidents than in ordinary car accident cases. Understanding who you can sue after a crash in Texas is the first step in valuing what a claim is realistically worth.