Corpus Christi Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a crash, you need a Corpus Christi car accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Joe Brad Brock for your free consultation today.

The aftermath of a car accident in Corpus Christi, Texas is often a chaotic and overwhelming process to go through for anyone. Financial losses can come from your medical bills, medication costs, car repairs, and lost wages. You may be dealing with significant distress or trauma if the accident was violent and catastrophic. Some people who survive life-threatening injuries have to deal with anxiety and long-term disabilities for years after the accident. Certain disabilities might prevent you from earning a basic income, which can cause you additional financial problems.

As an at-fault insurance state, Texas offers monetary compensation for people affected by auto accidents that are caused by a careless, reckless, or negligent driver. Part of obtaining compensation for the damages you suffered in your car accident will involve identifying and proving negligence. Many insurance companies will work against you to save their company money by delaying or denying your accident claim.

When you find yourself lost in the personal injury claim process or fighting with the insurance company, do not hesitate to reach out to Corpus Christi car accident lawyer Joe Brad Brock, a dedicated and accomplished personal injury lawyer in Corpus Christi. He has helped countless people who have been injured in serious car accidents in South Texas, including residents of San Antonio, Brownsville, Portland, McAllen, Kingsville, and Corpus Christi since 1995. He can answer all of your questions and help you determine if you have the right to pursue a claim.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Corpus Christi area car crash that was caused by a negligent, careless, or reckless driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Attorney Joe Brad Brock is extremely well-versed in all Texas personal injury laws and has the skills, experience, time, and resources needed to handle even the most complicated and complex car accident injury claims. The sooner you secure effective legal counsel, the better your chances are of winning your case.

The First Steps To Take After a Corpus Christi Car Accident

One of the most important things to do after a car wreck in Corpus Christi is to move out of the path of traffic if at all possible. This could mean moving your car off the street if you are able or However, be cautious about moving if you experience extreme pain in your neck or back because this may indicate a spinal cord injury. This type of injury can worsen with movement.

If you or anyone else is injured in the accident, call 911 if you are able. They will dispatch the appropriate agencies including the police and paramedics, who provide immediate assistance upon arrival. The responding police will draw up an official police report, which may become crucial if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

Even if you do not feel like you sustained any injuries, it is important to get looked at by a medical professional immediately after being involved in any type of motor vehicle accident. Some injuries remain hidden or not obvious until hours or days later and can worsen without proper medical attention. In addition to ensuring you get the best most responsible healthcare after being injured, you must also get medical records documented on the day of the accident to establish that the wreck caused your injuries. If you do not have a record of your injuries, it will make proving your accident claim more difficult.

If your injuries are obvious and visible then take pictures of them as soon as possible. Also, be sure to take pictures of the accident scene and any damages to your car if you are able to do so. Pictures serve as concrete evidence of the damages you suffered.
Write down what you remember from the accident as soon as possible before memories start fading away. If possible, write down the names and contact information of witnesses. That way you will have the option of gathering witness statements later that support your story.

How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?

Valuation of a Texas car accident case, especially during the early days of the process, is difficult because every car accident and every victim is unique. However, your responses to the questions listed below can give you some insight into the value of your case:

• How severe are your injuries?
• Are you expected to make a full recovery or will you be left with a long-term or permanent disability?
• Were any pre-existing conditions worsened by the accident?
• When will you reach maximum medical improvement?
• Did you have to take any time off of work? If so, how much?
• Will your injuries impact your ability to hold a job and earn an income now or in the future?
• What out-of-pocket costs did you have to cover due to the crash, such as emergency transportation, medical expenses, and other unanticipated costs?
• Can your vehicle be repaired, or was it a total loss that needs to be replaced?
• Are you experiencing any emotional trauma caused by the accident?

Generally speaking, the more severe your injuries are, the more your personal injury case is going to be worth. The National Safety Council reported that the average value of a motor vehicle accident resulting in potential injuries in 2019 was $160,000. For a motor vehicle accident causing disabling injuries, the average worth was in excess of $1.2 million.

How Much Compensation Am I Entitled to for My Car Accident Injuries?

At this point, you are probably questioning whether going through all these extra steps is actually necessary. The answer is yes. The more information you have, the better your chances will be of winning your case. The best way to determine what your personal injury claim could be worth is by speaking with a skilled and experienced Corpus Christi personal injury lawyer. A personal injury claim can potentially cover you for the following damages:

• Medical costs (paramedic fees, medications, emergency room costs, hospital bills, treatments)
• Lost wages (missed work while recovering from your injuries)
• Property damages (vehicle repair costs)
• Pain and suffering (emotional distress caused by the accident, therapy bills)
• Loss of future earning capacity (lost ability to work the same job or at all due to severe injuries)

Attorney Joe Brad Brock has been successfully representing clients in personal injury claims for more than two decades. He and his team are ready to help you protect your rights and fight for justice and the compensation you will need to recover from your injuries.

Medical expenses alone can add up to tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s even with decent health insurance, and when you factor in lost wages, therapy, and other damages, you are looking at substantial losses.

You may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact a qualified car accident lawyer in Corpus Christi, TX today by calling Joe Brad Brock’s personal injury team for help and legal guidance.

How Can I Strengthen My Car Accident Injury Claim?

 When trying to build a strong car accident claim, there are several factors that can help, including:

• Obvious liability: Texas follows the laws of modified comparative negligence. If you are found more than 50% liable for the accident, you will not be eligible to recover compensation and could even be liable for the other party’s damages. The clearer liability is in your car accident case, the stronger it will be.
• Substantial property damage: If your car sustained heavy property damage, the insurance company is more likely to associate this with a serious accident. This could increase your odds of receiving maximum compensation.
• Prompt medical attention: If you sought prompt medical attention, this can also strengthen your case. Postponing medical treatment will give the insurance adjuster the impression that you were not badly injured because badly injured people go to the doctor. It could also create doubt that your injury was caused by the accident and not something else entirely.
• Consistent medical care: Injured crash victims who follow their physician’s treatment plan to the letter and never miss an appointment or therapy session have stronger car accident cases than those who do not.
• Severe or lifelong injury: If your injuries are serious or permanent, the insurance company is forced to take your case seriously. This is why reaching maximum medical improvement is essential before accepting any settlement offer.
• Evidence: Strong cases are supported by strong evidence. Witness statements, police crash reports, and toxicology reports are all good examples of strong evidence that could help your Corpus Christi car accident lawyer win your case.

How Is Pain and Suffering Valued in Texas?

Pain and suffering is a difficult thing to put a value on. What is the appropriate monetary amount to give someone to make up for their post-traumatic stress disorder or their chronic physical pain? How much money is the life of someone you love worth?

These questions adequately demonstrate why assigning a dollar amount to someone’s pain and suffering damages is quite challenging. These losses are emotional and personal and vary from victim to victim.

Typically, non-economic damages are valued in one of two ways following a Texas motor vehicle accident: the per diem method and the multiplier method.

Per Diem Method

Using the per diem method, a specific dollar value is placed on the pain and suffering you endure daily due to the accident. Then, you figure out how long it is going to take for you to achieve maximum medical improvement.

You then multiply that many days by your per diem and the product is how much you should be compensated for your pain and suffering. This method is not very widely used.

Multiplier Method

Using the much more popular multiplier method, the insurance company or the court will assign your case a number from 1-5 depending on the severity of your injuries. Your economic damages are then multiplied by that number. The product is the total value of your non-economic damages.

For example, say your spinal cord is injured in an accident, leaving you paralyzed below the waist and unable to participate in the hiking and camping activities you once enjoyed. You are also unable to perform many daily tasks without assistance, which is both demoralizing and humiliating. Your case is given a multiplier of 4. If your economic damages were $2 million, your non-economic damages would be $8 million for a total financial recovery of $10 million.

Can I Be Awarded Punitive Damages For My Corpus Christi Car Accident?

It’s possible,  but only in very rare cases. Whereas compensatory damages are intended to compensate a car accident victim for their injuries, punitive awards are intended to penalize the at-fault driver. In other words, punitive damages are only awarded when punishment is merited.

In Texas, punitive damages are usually deemed appropriate in fatal hit-and-runs, accidents involving a driver under the influence, or accidents where serious harm was intentionally caused.

Auto Insurance Companies Tactics to Avoid Covering Your Claim

Car insurance companies are skilled at using various tactics to avoid paying you compensation, or at the very least, to avoid offering you as much compensation as you will need to recover from your injuries. Avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company before you talk with an experienced Corpus Christi car accident lawyer first. The goals of the other driver’s insurance company revolve around using your own statements against you to get away with paying you less.

Some insurance companies will work against you by making you feel comfortable enough to continue to share information with them, but this is often a trick to entice you to keep talking so that they can attempt to use your words against you. They may delay your claim until the statute of limitations runs out or you give up due to frustration. The statute of limitations in Texas only gives you two years after the car accident to file a successful personal injury claim.

They may also deny your claim for invalid reasons. Certain insurance companies will even go so far as to hire private investigators to follow your social media posts to check for posts that contradict your injuries.

While it is normal for the other driver’s insurance company to attempt to contact you, it’s in your best interest not to speak with them.  If you have hired a Corpus Christi car accident lawyer to protect your rights as a victim, then your attorney will handle all of the calls from the insurance companies, thereby, eliminating their ability to twist your words.  If you do happen to speak with the insurance company before hiring an attorney, you must exercise extreme caution when talking to them.

Consulting with a knowledgeable and aggressive Corpus Christi auto accident attorney like Joe Brad Brock can make all the difference in your personal injury claim. Call today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your injury accident and see if you have the right to pursue compensation.

Most Common Auto Accident Causes in Corpus Christi

Examining the most common causes of car wrecks in Texas can help you identify what caused your car accident, a crucial element of proving negligence. Common causes of car accidents in Texas include:

• Traffic Violations: Running red lights or stop signs, speeding, wrong left turns, not following road signs
• Distracted Driving: Texting while driving, talking on the phone, messing with a GPS
• Drugged Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or heavy prescription medications
• Road Conditions: Hazards on the road, bad weather, slippery roads from ice or sleet, uneven roads under construction
• Tire Blowouts
• Vehicle Defects: Mechanical or electrical problems
• Tailgating: Following other vehicles too closely
• Aggressive Driving: Road rage driving maneuvers like speeding, tailgating, or passing quickly
• Drowsy Driving: Driving late at night or while sleep-deprived
• Unexpected Animals

A Corpus Christi car accident lawyer can help you recover any damages you suffered at the hands of another driver. You should not have to pay for medical expenses and other financial losses when the accident was caused by a negligent driver. Contact attorney Joe Brad Brock to discuss your injury car crash and ensure that your rights are protected from the start.

Is Texas a No-Fault Car Accident State?

No, when it comes to car accidents, Texas is an at-fault state. In an at-fault state, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier is liable for any damages stemming from a motor vehicle accident. In a no-fault state, each car accident victim seeks damages from their own insurance company with no consideration given to fault.

Drivers who are involved in a Texas car accident will file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If your accident-related damages surpass the other driver’s insurance policy limits, then you would file a personal injury lawsuit against them and any other party who shares in liability.

What if I Am Partially to Blame For My Car Accident?

As long as you are not the primary at-fault driver, you will still be able to file a lawsuit or insurance claim and recuperate a percentage of your damages. Texas follows the rules of modified comparative fault with a 51% bar to recovery.

Keep in mind that sharing a percentage of the fault will impact your total compensation. Any damages you receive will be decreased in direct proportion to your percentage of responsibility for the crash. If you are found to be 15% at fault, then your total damages will be lessened by 15%.

Under the comparative fault doctrine, if your liability for the accident is more than 50%, your right to financial compensation from the liable driver or their insurance company is rescinded.

Am I Required to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Lawsuit?

In basic terms, negligence means that someone failed to act in a reasonable or safe manner and, as a result, you were injured. You will need to establish negligence to get compensated. There are four elements that must be established. They are:

• Duty: The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care (they were supposed to drive in accordance with the law).
• Breach: The at-fault driver breached that duty by failing to act reasonably under the circumstances (the were drunk, on their phone, ran a stop sign, etc.).
• Causation: The breach was the proximate cause of your injury (e.g., the driver t-boned you in an intersection causing you serious back and neck injuries).
• Damages: Your injury has caused you identifiable harm (e.g., medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs).

You must prove these four elements by a preponderance of evidence. In other words, your arguments, as supported by proof and facts, are more likely true than untrue. If you can meet this burden, you can win your case for negligence.

How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Lawsuit in Texas?

The statute of limitations for most motor vehicle accident lawsuits in the state of Texas is two years from the cause of action. There are a few scenarios in which a different deadline could apply.

For example, claims brough against a government agency are beholden to a much shorter timeframe. If a government entity or employee caused or contributed to your auto accident, you have 90 days to file a notice of claim with the city of Corpus Christi.

Then again, you could have the filing timeline extended if the statute can be tolled. This could be possible in cases where the accident left the victim incapacitated, the victim was a minor, or the defendant cannot be located.

Either way, if the statute of limitations that applies to your case lapses before you act, you will lose your right to financial compensation.

Corpus Christi Motor Vehicle Insurance Requirements

Texas auto insurance laws require all drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance. Drivers must have minimum insurance coverage of:

• $30,000 per injury per person
• $60,000 per accident
• $25,000 in property damage

The insurance shorthand for these requirements is 30/60/25 coverage.

These requirements are minimum coverage amounts. There is absolutely no guarantee that it will be enough to address all recovery and repair expenses if you are involved in an accident.

Although Texas drivers are not required to carry additional insurance against uninsured and underinsured drivers, it is a wise idea to include it in your policy. This form of insurance is designed to protect you if you are ever injured in a car accident that was caused by a driver who didhas no car insurance, or who has insufficient auto insurance.

Car Accident Data in Texas

In Texas, every motor vehicle accident is recorded in the Crash Records Information System, which forms an aggregate of every single police crash report filed with the Texas Department of Transportation. The CRIS database anatomizes these reports and collates them according to their severity and then analyzes how motor vehicle accident rates have changed over time.

These statistics represent traffic accident data from Texas in the year 2018:

• 12,161 traffic accidents with serious injuries
• 701 traffic fatalities at intersections
• Around 1.29 traffic deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
• About 249,241 total injuries caused by traffic accidents
• 621 pedestrian deaths
• 418 motorcyclist deaths
• 398 distracted driving traffic fatalities
• 940 DUI accident deaths

In Texas, in 2022, a total of 427,806 car accidents took place. Their breakdown is as follows:

• Fatal accidents: 2,193 fatal accidents resulted in 2,354 deaths
• Serious injury accidents: 9,903 serious accidents resulted in 11,747 serious injuries
• Minor injury accidents: 51,119 minor accidents resulted 69,316 minor injuries
• Possible injury accidents: 69,478 possible injury accidents resulted in 110,520 possible injuries
• No injury accidents: 276,668 non-injury accidents among 856,191 uninjured vehicle occupants
• Accidents of unknown severity: 18,445 accidents of undetrmined severity left 84,756 people with undetermined injuries

Corpus Christi Car Accident Statistics

This Corpus Christie traffic data represents 2017 statistics:

• Total fatal traffic accidents in Corpus Christie = 34
• Drunk Driving fatal accidents = 7
• Total vehicles involved in fatal accidents = 57
• Total traffic accident deaths = 37

Different Types of Car Accident Injuries

There are a wide variety of accident injuries that occur. Many of these are common with minor accidents, while others are more common with serious car accidents. Categorizing the injuries you suffered can help you with your personal injury claim. Evidence of the injuries you suffered can be attained through copies of your medical records and doctor’s notes about the cause of injury. Some of the most common car wreck injuries include:

• Whiplash: One of the most common injuries from car accidents. This injury involves damage to the tissues and nerves of the neck that can lead to constant neck pain, headaches, and drowsiness.
• Concussion: Signs of a concussion are nausea with vomiting, dizziness, drifting in and out of consciousness, and a headache.
• Bone Fractures: Broken ribs, arms, legs, and skulls are common after auto accidents.
• Collapsed Lung: Common with rib fractures when a rib fragment tears the lung tissue.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): This can happen with or without skull fractures. Anytime the head is violently impacted, the brain can hit the skull hard enough to induce swelling and damage. TBIs can cause problems with movement, sensation, mood, personality, behavior, sleep, language abilities, and memory depending on the severity and location of the damage.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These commonly happen with bone fractures to the vertebrae that make up the spine. A loss of movement, sensation, bowel control and bladder control are symptoms of this injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries open up the possibility of regaining function with treatment, but complete spinal cord injuries often cause lifelong disabilities.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains involve torn or stretched ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These can heal with rest, ice, and heat. Severe cases may require surgery with longer recovery times.
• Lacerations and Abrasions: Major cuts to the skin that may require stitches with the risk of infection.
• Internal Bleeding and Internal Organ Injuries: These injuries can go unnoticed without a proper medical checkup.
• Traumatic Amputation: Lost legs or arms are common after major car wrecks.
• Herniated Disc: A damaged spinal disc between the vertebrae of the spine that can induce pain and discomfort.

All of these are examples of physical injuries, but car accidents can also cause significant psychological injuries like anxiety and emotional distress. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not uncommon after major and violent car accidents. Most people are not used to the sudden and unexpected nature of a car accident. Common symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, hypervigilance, avoidance of driving, flashbacks to the accident, and feelings of detachment from others.

The Cost of Medical Care Following a Corpus Christi Car Accident

The medical expenses associated with a motor vehicle accident vary widely. However, in 2021, the average cost of staying overnight in a Texas hospital was $2,913. The average duration of a car accident victim’s stay was between four and six days. an average stay duration of 4.6 days. This makes it easy to see how accident-related medical bills can get out of hand so quickly.

A car accident victim who does not have health insurance would pay somewhere around $863 for cast for a broken leg or arm, $5,690 for wound preparation, and roughly $25,289 for back surgery.

Types of Negligence in Car Accidents

It can also be helpful to become familiar with different types of negligence related to auto accidents. Proving that another party’s negligence caused your injuries is important for you to be able to get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to the accident. Some types of negligence involved in car accidents are:

• DUI: If an officer finds alcohol or drugs in the other driver’s body, then this could give you an advantage in your accident claim. An officer can also look for other signs of intoxication through the driver’s behaviors and field sobriety tests.
• Distracted Driving: Texting while driving may have happened before the accident which can happen by establishing timestamps on the text messages that were sent leading up to the accident.
• Traffic Law Violations: If another driver broke a traffic law, it can help clearly establish their negligence.
• Driving Too Slow: This can cause rear-end accidents.

How Will You Prove Liability For My Car Accident?

As we conduct a thorough, independent investigation of what caused your injuries, we focus on collecting relevant evidence, such as:

• The police crash report
• Your statement
• Witness testimonies
• Video of the accident from any dashcams or surveillance cameras in the area
• Videos and pictures of the accident scene and involved vehicles
• Any documentation related to the other driver and their vehicle
• Physical evidence (tire marks, debris from the vehicles, etc)
• Testimony from expert witnesses
• Your medical records

In the days or weeks after your accident, we will begin to build your case by gathering and organizing evidence and painting a picture of what happened according to the facts. We will then make a claim against the negligent party or parties in an attempt to get the case settled without having to file a lawsuit.

Once we officially file a lawsuit related to your damages, we can take full advantage of the discovery process. This is a pre-trial procedure that lets us request certain documentation and information from the other party as well as get answers to specific questions through interrogatories. In some instances, the discovery phase yields a good amount of evidence that we are able to use to show the other driver’s fault and liability.

Fault and liability are both vital elements of your case, and they might not rest on the shoulders of a single party. Although liability typically follows fault, our Corpus Christi, TX car accident lawyers have handled numerous claims in which the liable party was not the same as the at-fault party. The party at fault for an accident is the party who caused it. The person who is liable is the person who is required by law to compensate you for your injuries. The most common type of car accident in which this distinction arises is when the at-fault driver is an employee who is on the clock. In this scenario, the driver’s employer is usually liable for the damages caused by their employees.

How We Maximize Settlements for Injuries and Lost Earnings

Even minor accidents can result in serious injuries that require medical treatment and time off from work. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, we understand the impact it can have on your life. We will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for any injuries sustained and lost wages.

One way we maximize settlements is by fully understanding our clients’ injuries and losses, including monetary and non-monetary losses. We don’t just focus on the immediate medical bills but also anticipate future medical expenses that may be necessary due to the injury. Your Corpus Christi car accident lawyer will also account for any loss of earnings and future lost earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Another way we maximize settlements is by utilizing our vast network of experts. Our lawyers consult with medical professionals, economists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and other experts who can provide testimony regarding your injury, earning capacity loss, psychological trauma and illustrate how the accident has affected your life.

Some people may believe that it’s not worth hiring a lawyer after a car accident or that they can handle the process on their own. However, navigating a legal case without expert guidance can lead to costly mistakes, and individuals may end up receiving less compensation than they are entitled to receive ultimately.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Corpus Christi Car Accident Attorney?

One of the biggest reasons that accident victims decide to try and handle things on their own rather than contacting an experienced personal injury attorney is apprehension over the cost. At the law office of Joe Brad Brock, we want to make sure everyone has access to competent legal representation, regardless of their financial status at the time of their injuries.

This is why we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. In other words, our Corpus Christi car accident lawyers do not get paid unless you do. When we are successful in securing a favorable jury verdict or settlement, our firm collects a previously agreed-upon percentage of your total compensation. This makes it possible for all accident victims to pursue justice regardless of their financial situation. Contingency fees differ from law firm to law firm. We are happy to discuss our fees with you during a free consultation.

In short, a contingency fee means:

• Your initial consultation is free
• We cover all upfront costs
• You are not responsible for any fees unless we recover financial compensation for you
• Our payment comes out of your settlement

You never have to worry about having enough money or being able to afford our services. This makes obtaining fair compensation accessible to all car accident victims.