Austin, TX (September 10, 2026) – Two children were left in critical condition and an adult suffered serious injuries Wednesday morning, September 9, after a crash on the I-35 service road at Woodward Street in Austin.
According to Austin Police, the crash happened around 8 a.m. near the Ben White area. The accident shut down the roadway, and STARFlight was called to assist at the scene.
The two children were taken to Dell Children's Medical Center in critical condition. The adult was taken to St. David's South Austin with serious injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The south I-35 service road remained closed to Ben White Boulevard for several hours before it reopened before noon.
Police continue looking into what caused the collision.
Our thoughts are with the children and their family as they receive care.
How Personal Injury Claims Work When Children Are Involved in Austin, TX
When a child is hurt in a crash in Austin, Texas law treats their claim differently than it would an adult's in several important ways. In the first place, minors generally can't bring a lawsuit on their own behalf, so a parent or legal guardian typically files what's called a "next friend" claim, which acts on the child's behalf throughout the legal process.
One of the most significant differences involves the statute of limitations. Adults in Texas generally have two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. In contrast, a minor’s clock typically doesn't start to run until they turn 18, which gives them until their 20th birthday in most cases to file on their own.
This extended timeline exists because children may not fully understand their legal rights, and the law builds in extra protection to make sure a claim isn't lost simply because a minor couldn't act on it themselves.
Texas courts generally require judicial approval of any settlement that involves a minor, a safeguard designed to make sure the amount is fair and that the funds are properly protected until the child reaches adulthood.
Courts tend to require settlement proceeds to be placed in a structured account or trust, and a car accident lawyer typically plays a central role in this process. A lawyer can navigate this approval process, prepare the necessary court filings, and help parents understand how funds will be managed on their child's behalf.
Attorney Brian C. Gutierrez guides families through the added steps involved in a minor's injury claim under Texas law.
If your child was hurt in a crash and you're unsure how the process works, we can walk you through what to expect. You can reach Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC at (979) 243-9912 to learn more about your options and clear up your doubts.
Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC so we can promptly review and update the content.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.
