1. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, workplace injuries.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, 18-wheeler accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident scene investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Herrman & Herrman has over 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases across Texas. The firm has resolved over 20,000 cases successfully. The firm maintains an Accident Investigative Team that can be dispatched to crash scenes to preserve critical evidence. The firm has offices throughout Texas including Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Brownsville, and McAllen.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (serving all of Texas with offices in multiple cities)
Contact: (361) 882-4357 | https://www.herrmanandherrman.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
2. Thomas J. Henry Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, motorcycle accidents, company vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, product liability, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, bus accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), construction vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Thomas J. Henry Law has fought to protect the rights of injury victims for more than 30 years. The firm has earned a reputation for securing record-breaking verdicts and willingness to litigate against major corporations. The firm’s Corpus Christi attorneys are available 24/7, including nights and weekends. Attorneys can arrange home or hospital visits for clients unable to travel to the office.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (multiple Texas locations)
Contact: https://thomasjhenrylaw.com/locations/corpus-christi/
Consultation: Free case consultation available 24/7. No fees unless case is won.
3. The Patel Firm Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident scene investigation, expert witness coordination, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: The Patel Firm serves clients throughout the Coastal Bend region of Texas. Attorney Minesh Patel has received recognition including inclusion among Best Attorneys in America and 40 Under 40 honors. The firm handles cases from investigation through trial if necessary. The firm is familiar with local accident hotspots including high-speed stretches along US-181.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (serving the Coastal Bend region)
Contact: (361) 400-2036 | https://thepatelfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. No-win, no-fee arrangement.
4. Carabin Shaw Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, workplace injuries, premises liability.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical care coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Carabin Shaw Law Firm has personal injury lawyers representing auto accident victims in Corpus Christi and throughout the Texas Gulf Coast area. The firm’s Corpus Christi office is located two blocks south of the Nueces County Courthouse. Phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Main office is located in San Antonio, Texas.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (Main office: San Antonio, Texas)
Contact: (361) 444-1111 | https://www.carabinshaw.com
Consultation: Available by appointment. 24/7 phone availability.
5. Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, workplace injuries.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical care coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Carrigan & Anderson has represented personal injury clients throughout Texas for over four decades. Attorney Stephen Carrigan has over 37 years of experience in personal injury law. The firm handles cases ranging from vehicle accidents to wrongful death claims. The firm has offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria and will travel throughout Texas.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (also offices in Houston and Victoria)
Contact: https://carrigananderson.com/personal-injury-lawyer/corpus-christi-tx/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement (no payment unless case is won).
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003). For claims against government entities, a notice of claim must be filed within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death (not the date of the accident if different).
Fault vs. No-Fault State: Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for damages. Injured parties may file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue a lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system (51% bar rule). You can recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury to two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage (commonly referred to as 30/60/25 coverage).
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Texas law requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Policyholders may reject this coverage in writing.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Texas insurers must offer PIP coverage, which provides up to $2,500 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Policyholders may reject PIP coverage in writing.
Damage Caps: Texas does not cap economic damages in personal injury cases. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are not capped in most personal injury cases. Punitive damages are generally capped at the greater of $200,000 or twice economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000.
Dram Shop Liability: Texas has dram shop laws (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 2) that allow injured parties to sue establishments that serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause injuries.
Reporting Requirements: Texas law requires drivers to immediately report accidents that result in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to local police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in Texas?
A: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accidents (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003). This means you must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file within this period, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation. For claims against government entities (such as city or state vehicles), you must file a notice of claim within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
Q: How does Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
A: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes establishing fault a critical element of any Texas car accident case.
Q: What are the minimum auto insurance requirements for drivers in Texas?
A: Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 30/60/25, which means: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury to multiple persons, and $25,000 for property damage. These are minimum requirements, and many drivers carry higher limits. Insurance companies must also offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though drivers may reject these coverages in writing.
Q: Where would I file a car accident lawsuit in Corpus Christi, and what court has jurisdiction?
A: Personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents in Corpus Christi are typically filed in the District Courts of Nueces County or the County Courts at Law. The Nueces County Courthouse is located in downtown Corpus Christi. For cases involving federal diversity jurisdiction (parties from different states with claims exceeding $75,000), you may file in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division.
Q: Can I recover compensation if I was hit by a drunk driver in Corpus Christi?
A: Yes. If you were injured by a drunk driver, you can pursue a claim against the driver’s auto insurance for your damages. Additionally, under Texas dram shop laws (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 2), you may also have a claim against the bar, restaurant, or establishment that served alcohol to the obviously intoxicated driver if the establishment knew or should have known the person was intoxicated or if they served a minor. A dram shop claim can provide an additional source of recovery, particularly if the drunk driver has minimal insurance coverage.