Travis County, TX · Free Consultation
Lost Creek, TX Wrongful Death Lawyer
When a fatal crash involves a government vehicle or a dangerous road, the rules change — and the deadlines get much shorter. SMB Law, PC helps Lost Creek families act in time to preserve these claims. A Lost Creek wrongful death lawyer knows a government vehicle or dangerous road brings much shorter notice deadlines. Shane has been licensed since 2003 and personally moves fast so a Central Texas family does not lose the claim to a deadline.
The Loop 360 and Bee Cave Road corridors near Lost Creek carry government and municipal vehicles alongside everyday traffic, and a fatal crash involving a public entity — or a hazardous stretch of road — brings special legal hurdles.
Where a Lost Creek wrongful death claim is handled
Lost Creek is in Travis County, so a wrongful death suit is filed with the Travis County District Clerk at the Civil and Family Courthouse on Guadalupe Street in Austin. Some claims against public entities follow separate notice procedures first.
Claims involving a government vehicle or road defect
A fatal crash caused by a government vehicle, or by a dangerous road condition a public entity failed to fix, is governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act, which changes the ordinary rules. Governmental immunity is only partially waived, so recovery is allowed in limited categories — including negligent operation of a motor vehicle by an employee and certain premises or special-defect claims — and damages against a governmental unit are capped. Most important for a grieving family is timing: a formal notice of claim must be given to the government entity within a short window, sometimes as little as six months and often shorter under a city’s charter, and missing it can end the claim regardless of merit. These cases require identifying the correct entity, meeting strict notice requirements, and preserving evidence of the vehicle’s operation or the road hazard quickly. We move fast for Lost Creek families to protect a claim that an ordinary two-year mindset could quietly forfeit.
Acting before a short deadline closes the door
The danger in a Lost Creek fatal crash involving a public entity is that a family, focused on grief, assumes they have the usual two years — when a claim against a government may require formal notice within months. We identify quickly whether a city, county, the state, or a contractor may be responsible, determine the exact notice deadline that applies, and deliver a proper notice of claim in time. In parallel, we preserve the evidence these cases turn on: the government vehicle’s operation and maintenance records, the history of a dangerous road condition and prior complaints about it, and the scene itself. Because damages against a governmental unit are capped, we also look for any private party who shares responsibility and carries additional coverage. Moving fast is what keeps a meritorious claim from being lost to a deadline a family never knew was running.
Compassionate, experienced counsel when it matters most
A wrongful death case is never really about money — it is about accountability and about protecting a family’s future. You work directly with attorney Shane M. Boasberg, who has represented Texans for more than two decades and has been licensed by the State of Texas since 2003. He handles these cases with the care they deserve, keeps families informed at every step, and takes on the insurance company so you can focus on grieving and healing. You get a lawyer who treats your loss with respect — not a case manager reading from a script.
Working with us from Lost Creek
Our office is in downtown Austin, an easy reach from Lost Creek. We handle most consultations and case updates by phone and video, and there is no fee unless we recover for you. If travel is difficult, we can also come to you.
Why families choose SMB Law, PC
- Direct attorney access — you talk to Shane, licensed since 2003, not a call center.
- No fee unless we recover — wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency basis.
- Honest, patient guidance and transparent terms explained before you commit.
What working with us looks like
- Free, private consultation to understand your family’s situation and the law that applies.
- Investigation — we preserve evidence, obtain the reports, and identify every responsible party and insurer.
- Negotiation or court — we settle when the offer is fair and litigate when it is not.
- Resolution handled with care so your family can move forward.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue the government after a fatal crash?
Sometimes. The Texas Tort Claims Act waives immunity in limited situations, such as a government employee’s negligent vehicle operation or certain road hazards.
Is there a shorter deadline for a claim against a public entity?
Yes. A formal notice of claim is usually required within a short period — sometimes six months or less under a city’s rules — well before the normal deadline.
Are damages limited in a claim against the government?
Yes. The Tort Claims Act caps the damages recoverable against a governmental unit, which makes finding every responsible party important.
Do I have to travel to your office from Lost Creek?
No. Our downtown Austin office is about 9 miles east via Loop 360 and Bee Cave Road, and we handle Lost Creek wrongful death matters by phone and video.