Corpus Christi Guide to Texas Personal Injury Law

11 min read

Introduction: Why Corpus Christi Residents Need a Tailored Injury Guide

Every year, thousands of Corpus Christi residents are hurt in traffic collisions on SH-358, slip-and-falls along Shoreline Boulevard, refinery incidents in the Port of Corpus Christi, and other preventable accidents. When an injury happens in South Texas, victims soon discover that the state’s personal injury laws are intricate and deadlines unforgiving. This comprehensive guide demystifies Texas personal injury law for people living and working in Corpus Christi. We explore the most common claim types—car crashes, trucking accidents, premises liability, workplace injuries, defective products, and wrongful death—while highlighting the specific rules, courts, and local resources you will actually encounter here in Nueces County.

Whether you are searching online for a “corpus christi accident attorney” or wondering how long you have to file a lawsuit, the following sections give you practical, step-by-step direction. Our focus tilts in favor of the injured individual because insurance carriers often have sophisticated teams working to limit payouts. Knowing your rights under Texas personal injury law is the first and most important step toward financial recovery.

Understanding Texas Personal Injury Law

1. Statute of Limitations: The Two-Year Clock

Texas generally provides two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003). Miss this deadline and the court will almost certainly dismiss your case—no matter how strong your evidence. Exceptions exist for minors and certain product liability or asbestos claims, but they are narrow. Mark the two-year anniversary on your calendar the day your accident occurs.

2. Negligence and the Elements of Proof

Most personal injury cases arise from negligence. You must establish:

• Duty – The defendant owed you a legal duty (e.g., drivers must obey traffic laws).

• Breach – The defendant breached that duty (speeding, failing to clean a spill, defective machine design).

• Causation – The breach was a proximate cause of your injuries.

• Damages – You suffered actual losses: medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.

3. Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar Rule)

Texas follows “proportionate responsibility.” If you are found no more than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. At 51%, you recover nothing. For example, if a Corpus Christi jury awards $100,000 but decides you were 20% to blame for distracted walking, you collect $80,000.

4. Types of Damages Available

• Economic – Medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost earnings, household services.

• Non-Economic – Pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of consortium.

• Exemplary (Punitive) – Awarded in gross negligence or malice cases; capped under Texas law.

Common Personal Injury Cases in Corpus Christi & Legal Standards

1. Motor Vehicle Collisions

The Texas Department of Transportation reports more than 5,000 crashes annually within Corpus Christi city limits. Rear-end incidents on SPID and serious semi-truck wrecks on US-181 dominate local dockets. To prevail, you must show the driver violated a traffic law or drove unreasonably. Gathering the crash report, dash-cam footage, and event data recorder downloads is essential.

2. Slip-and-Fall / Premises Liability

Under Texas law, property owners owe different duties based on your visitor status (invitee, licensee, trespasser). For customers inside La Palmera Mall, the owner must inspect for hazards and either fix or warn. A plaintiff must prove the owner knew or should have known of a dangerous condition, such as a wet floor near an entryway.

3. Workplace & Offshore Injuries

Corpus Christi’s petrochemical plants, shipyards, and wind farm projects create unique hazards. While many employers subscribe to workers’ compensation, Texas is an “opt-out” state. If your employer is a nonsubscriber, you can sue directly in court with no caps on damages and no comparative fault defenses available to the employer—a powerful tool for injured workers.

4. Defective Products

Texas recognizes strict liability for manufacturing, design, or warning defects. Plaintiffs do not need to prove negligence—only that the product was unreasonably dangerous and caused injury when used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner.

5. Wrongful Death

Surviving spouses, children, and parents may bring a claim within two years of death (§71.001–71.012). If they do not file within three months, the estate executor can pursue the action. Damages include lost earning capacity, emotional anguish, and lost love and companionship.

Texas Legal Protections, Damages Caps & Key Court Precedents

1. Medical Malpractice Caps

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.301 caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases at $250,000 per defendant (maximum $500,000 for hospitals). Economic damages remain uncapped but subject to proof.

2. Governmental Immunity

Suing the City of Corpus Christi or TxDOT is possible under the Texas Tort Claims Act, but notice must be given within six months, and damages are capped at $250,000 per person/$500,000 per occurrence.

3. Dram Shop Liability

Bars can be liable for overserving obviously intoxicated patrons under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code §2.02, an important avenue for drunk-driving victims.

4. Recent Case Law Impacting Claimants

• In re Christus Santa Rosa, 2022 – Clarified discovery limits on social media posts in injury suits.

• Cota v. Garcia, 2020 (Corpus Christi–Edinburg 13th Court of Appeals) – Reinforced that dash-cam videos can override conflicting eyewitness testimony.

5. Insurance Bad-Faith Protections

Chapter 541 of the Texas Insurance Code allows policyholders to sue insurers for unfair settlement practices. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regulates these practices, and claimants can recover treble damages for knowing violations.

Steps to Take Immediately After an Injury

Seek Medical Attention Even minor pain can mask serious internal injuries. Prompt treatment also creates the medical record you need. Report the Incident Call 911 for auto crashes. For workplace injuries, notify your supervisor within 30 days or risk losing benefits. Document Everything

• Photograph vehicles, hazard area, or defective product.

• Collect witness names and numbers.

• Maintain a pain journal and save receipts.

Preserve Evidence Do not repair your car or discard damaged shoes until they are inspected. Send a spoliation letter to the at-fault party demanding evidence preservation. Notify Insurers Carefully Texas is an at-fault state, so you will deal with the other driver’s insurer. Provide facts, not opinions, and decline recorded statements until you consult counsel. Avoid Social Media Defense lawyers scour Facebook and Instagram for posts that undermine your claim. Track Deadlines Note the two-year statute, 180-day dram-shop notice, and any shorter limitations in liability waivers or cruise tickets.

When to Seek Legal Help

You are not required to hire a lawyer, but certain red flags scream for professional assistance:

• The insurer denies liability or blames you.

• Your injuries are severe (fractures, surgeries, traumatic brain injuries).

• Multiple parties are involved (multi-car pileups, subcontractors).

• You face a governmental entity or nonsubscriber employer.

Louis Law Group has decades of experience litigating Texas injury claims and negotiating with carriers like USAA, State Farm, and Progressive. Our attorneys are licensed by the State Bar of Texas and regularly appear before the 13th Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi. We advance case costs, and you pay nothing unless we win.

Local Resources & Next Steps

• Nueces County Courthouse – 901 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401. File civil petitions on the first floor.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) – Free civil legal services: TRLA Corpus Christi Office.

• Corpus Christi Police Crash Reports – Obtain online via CCPD accident portal within 7–10 days.

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code – Full statutes: CPRC.

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

Medical debt can pile up, evidence fades, and the statute of limitations may expire. Acting quickly gives you leverage and preserves your right to full compensation.

Ready for Your Free Case Evaluation?

If you’ve been injured in Texas, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Corpus Christi team is ready to investigate, negotiate, and, if necessary, litigate so you can focus on healing.

Disclaimer

This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified Texas personal injury attorney for advice regarding your specific situation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.