Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Corpus Christi, Texas
The firms in this guide
- Herrman and Herrman, P.L.L.C. Call Herrman and Herrman, P.L.L.C.: (844) 426-3000
- Arnold and Itkin Call Arnold and Itkin: (888) 493-1629
- Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys Call Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys: (361) 310-5299
- The Patel Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Call The Patel Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers: (361) 400-2036
- Carrigan and Anderson Call Carrigan and Anderson: (361) 884-4437
1. Herrman and Herrman, P.L.L.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, commercial truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, cargo tanker accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries from truck crashes
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, speeding truck accidents, aggressive driving accidents, drunk driving truck accidents, impaired truck driver accidents, shifting cargo accidents, dropped cargo accidents, inadequate maintenance accidents, hours of service violation accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive truck accident investigation, FMCSA regulation violation analysis, trucking company liability claims, driver negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims, Spanish-speaking services
Background: Extensive experience in personal injury law with more than 20,000 cases handled. Multiple offices serving Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley. Spanish-speaking and English-speaking staff available. Dedicated resources to see truck crash cases through to resolution. Focus on Interstate 37 between Corpus Christi and San Antonio and Interstate 35 north-south corridor accidents, both recognized as among the most dangerous highways in the United States for truck traffic according to FleetOwner reports.
Location: 1201 3rd Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Contact: (844) 426-3000 | https://www.herrmanandherrman.com/trucking-accident-lawyers/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
2. Arnold and Itkin
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, 18-wheeler collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, wrongful death from truck accidents, burn injuries from truck crashes, carrier employee injuries
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, speeding truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents, mechanical failure accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo shift accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, multi-vehicle truck crashes
Legal Services: Comprehensive truck accident investigation, FMCSA regulation violation analysis, trucking company liability claims, black box data analysis, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims, representation of carrier employees, independent contractors, and passengers
Background: Over $20 billion recovered for clients. Record-setting truck accident results including $90 million settlement for truck driver burned in plant explosion, $59.5 million settlement for farmworkers struck by 18-wheeler, and $35.5 million recovery for family injured in trucking accident. Attorneys include Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright, and Roland Christensen. Represent all parties hurt in trucking accidents including carrier employees, independent contractors, and drivers and passengers of other vehicles. National presence with offices serving Corpus Christi and throughout Texas.
Location: Serves Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: (888) 493-1629 | https://www.arnolditkin.com/corpus-christi-personal-injury/truck-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
3. Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial truck crashes, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries from truck crashes
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, speeding truck accidents, texting while driving accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, unqualified driver accidents, vehicle defect accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive truck accident investigation, trucking company liability investigation, driver qualification review, manufacturer liability claims, cargo loader liability claims, insurance claim negotiation, trial preparation and representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Serving South Texas since 1992. Over 2,000 cases handled with over $200 million recovered for clients. Trial preparation for every case with readiness to present arguments to a jury if necessary. 24/7 availability to answer questions and provide support throughout the legal process. Spanish-speaking staff available to assist clients. Virtual consultations offered for convenience. Focus on determining liability among multiple parties including truck drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, wholesalers, and cargo loaders.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (serves Nueces County and South Texas)
Contact: (361) 310-5299 | https://www.brunklaw.com/practice-areas/truck-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
4. The Patel Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial trucking accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, tractor-trailer collisions, oilfield truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries from truck crashes
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, speeding truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents, oilfield trucking accidents, cargo spill accidents, mechanical failure accidents, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, accident scene investigation, FMCSA regulation analysis, trucking company liability claims, insurance claim negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims, expert witness coordination
Background: Founded by Minesh J. Patel, with extensive experience in personal injury litigation including commercial trucking accidents, workplace incidents, oilfield accidents, and insurance disputes. Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys in America recognition. 40 Best Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association. Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum for achieving large compensation awards. Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law, licensed since 2013. Additional attorney Spencer Breuning focuses on personal injury claims. 24/7 availability for client calls.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: (361) 400-2036 | https://thepatelfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis with no-win, no-fee arrangement.
5. Carrigan and Anderson
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, tractor-trailer collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries from truck crashes
Case Types Handled: Speeding truck accidents, fatigued driver accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents, poor visibility accidents, improper lane change accidents, brake failure accidents, mechanical failure accidents, cargo shift accidents
Legal Services: Evidence collection and preservation including accident reports, driver’s logs, truck maintenance records, and eyewitness accounts; FMCSA regulation analysis; trucking company liability investigation; insurance company negotiation; trial representation; settlement negotiations; wrongful death claims
Background: Over 50 years of combined legal experience fighting against insurance companies for accident victims in South Texas. Experience with federal and state trucking regulations including hours of service rules, vehicle maintenance requirements, and cargo loading standards. Focus on thorough evidence collection shortly after accidents. Expertise in navigating complex truck accident claims involving trucking companies and insurance providers.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: (361) 884-4437 | https://carrigananderson.com/truck-accident-lawyer/corpus-christi-tx/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available. Contingency fee basis with no payment unless you win.
Hazardous Loads, Truck Maintenance and Exemplary Damages in Corpus Christi Truck Crash Claims
A Corpus Christi truck crash can involve a tanker or other hazardous load, a poorly maintained truck or an impaired driver. Federal rules set the carrier’s coverage, maintenance and alcohol duties, and Texas law sets the standard for exemplary damages and the credit for earlier settlements.
Hazardous Loads and Alcohol
Under 49 CFR 387.9, listed oil and hazardous materials not covered by the higher rows require $1,000,000 in public liability coverage, and bulk hazardous substances and listed explosive, poison and radioactive categories require $5,000,000. Under 49 CFR 382.201, a driver subject to the federal testing rules may not report for or remain on safety-sensitive duty with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater.
Maintenance and Inspection
Under 49 CFR 396.3, every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair and maintain each vehicle subject to its control, keep maintenance records for 1 year where the vehicle is housed or maintained, and keep them for 6 months after the vehicle leaves its control. Under 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
Exemplary Damages and Intoxication
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 41.003, exemplary damages require clear and convincing proof of fraud, malice or gross negligence and a unanimous jury. Section 41.008(b) caps them at the greater of two times economic damages plus noneconomic damages found by the jury up to $750,000, or $200,000, and under 41.008(c) the cap does not apply to conduct described as intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter, among other listed felonies.
Credit for Settlements
Under Section 33.012(a) and (b), the court reduces the claimant’s damages by the claimant’s percentage of responsibility and then by the sum of the dollar amounts of all settlements with other persons, such as a shipper or a maintenance contractor who settled before trial.
Corpus Christi Truck Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent under Section 33.001. For example, imagine $500,000 in damages and 30 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $350,000.
How long do I have to sue the carrier?
Two years after the day the cause of action accrues under Section 16.003(a), and two years after the death under 16.003(b); under 16.001, time while a claimant is younger than 18 or of unsound mind is not counted if the disability existed when the claim accrued. For a City of Corpus Christi truck, notice is due earlier under Section 101.101: within six months after the incident, or a ratified charter period, unless the city had actual notice of the injury.
Does my policy cover an uninsured truck driver?
Yes, if it is an automobile liability policy and the coverage was not rejected in writing. Under Texas Insurance Code 1952.101, an automobile liability policy covering liability for the use of any motor vehicle must include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage unless any insured named in the policy rejects it in writing.