1. Hilliard Law
Focus Area: Complex personal injury litigation, mass torts, and wrongful death cases
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, workplace injuries, wrongful death, class action lawsuits
Background: Founded in 1986 by Robert C. Hilliard, the firm has over 100 years of combined experience among its partners. Robert Hilliard is double board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law (1990) and Civil Trial Law (1992) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm served as co-lead counsel in the GM Ignition Switch litigation and secured a $310 million verdict in the Orlando FreeFall case. Multiple attorneys hold AV Preeminent peer ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
Location: 719 S. Shoreline Blvd., Suite 100, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Contact: (361) 882-1612 | https://www.hilliard-law.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
2. Thomas J. Henry Law
Focus Area: High-volume personal injury representation across Texas
Practice Areas: 18-wheeler accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, company vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, wrongful death, drug recalls, defective products, nursing home neglect, maritime accidents, premises liability
Background: Operating for more than 30 years with over 250 attorneys across five Texas office locations. The firm has secured over $900 million for clients and operates on a “No Win No Fee” contingency fee structure. Thomas J. Henry is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and recognized as a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyer.
Location: 521 Starr St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Contact: (361) 254-7873 | https://thomasjhenrylaw.com
Consultation: Free 24/7 case consultation, contingency fee basis
3. Herrman & Herrman, PLLC
Focus Area: Personal injury representation for accident victims throughout the Coastal Bend region
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, workplace injuries, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: The firm has over 100 years of combined experience and has successfully resolved more than 20,000 cases. Gregory H. Herrman serves as managing partner and has been involved in multiple seven-figure settlements. The firm maintains a strong presence in both Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley.
Location: 1201 Third St., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Contact: (361) 882-4357 | https://www.herrmanandherrman.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis with no payment unless recovery is obtained
4. The Patel Firm PLLC
Focus Area: Personalized representation for serious injury victims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, dangerous products, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: Led by attorney Minesh J. Patel, the firm maintains a team that includes James D. Baskin, Spencer J. Breunig, David J. Hatcher, and Andrew D. Poulis. The firm has secured millions in recoveries for clients and focuses on providing individualized attention to each case. Available 24/7 for consultations.
Location: 14855 Blanco Rd., Suite 220, San Antonio, TX 78216 (serves Corpus Christi)
Contact: (361) 400-2036 | https://thepatelfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
5. Gonzales Law Firm
Focus Area: Family-owned firm providing personal injury representation in the Coastal Bend
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace accidents, slip and fall accidents, defective products, wrongful death
Background: A family-owned firm led by founding partners Lauren B. Gonzales, Rudy Gonzales Jr., and Daniel M. Gonzales. The firm emphasizes a client-attorney approach with direct access to attorneys throughout the legal process. Rudy Gonzales Jr. has been recognized by Super Lawyers and maintains membership in the Corpus Christi Bar Association.
Location: 5350 S. Staples St., Suite 105, Corpus Christi, TX 78411
Contact: (361) 309-4243 | https://www.goinjuryfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis
Personal Injury Laws in Texas
Statute of Limitations: Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. This deadline begins on the date of injury. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from the later of the date of injury or the date the injury was discovered. Wrongful death claims have a two-year deadline starting from the date of death.
Negligence Rule: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. An injured party may recover damages if their percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more responsible for the accident, they are barred from recovering any compensation. When the plaintiff shares partial fault below the 51% threshold, their recovery is reduced proportionally by their percentage of fault.
Damage Caps: Texas does not impose caps on economic damages in personal injury cases. Non-economic damages are capped in medical malpractice cases at $250,000 per defendant healthcare provider and $500,000 total for healthcare institutions under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 74.301. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.008.
Auto Insurance Requirements: Texas is an at-fault state requiring all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 30/60/25: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for covering damages resulting from an accident they caused.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do offshore and maritime accidents in Corpus Christi differ from regular personal injury claims?
Corpus Christi’s position as a major Gulf Coast port means maritime injuries occur frequently among workers on vessels, oil rigs, and docks. These claims typically fall under federal maritime law, including the Jones Act for seamen and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act for dock workers. Federal maritime claims generally have a three-year statute of limitations rather than the standard two-year Texas deadline, and they involve different compensation structures and employer liability rules than standard state personal injury claims.
What happens if I am injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Corpus Christi?
Texas does not require drivers to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, though insurers must offer it. If you have UM/UIM coverage on your own policy, you may file a claim with your insurance company for damages exceeding the at-fault driver’s coverage. Without UM/UIM protection, your options are limited to pursuing the at-fault driver personally, which may prove difficult if they lack assets. Texas drivers can also purchase personal injury protection coverage to help cover medical expenses regardless of fault.
How does Texas handle claims against government entities in Corpus Christi?
Claims against Texas government entities, including the City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, or state agencies, are governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act. This law requires filing a notice of claim within six months of the incident before pursuing a lawsuit. Damages against government entities are capped at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for most claims. Sovereign immunity limits the types of claims that can be brought, generally restricting recovery to cases involving the use of motor vehicles, premises defects, or defective equipment.
What types of evidence are important for proving a personal injury claim in the Corpus Christi area?
Documenting injuries and the accident scene is critical in Texas personal injury cases. Important evidence includes police reports, photographs of the accident scene and injuries, medical records and bills, witness statements, and any available video footage. For vehicle accidents on highways like I-37 or the JFK Causeway, traffic camera footage may be available. Employment records documenting lost wages and expert testimony regarding future medical needs or diminished earning capacity strengthen claims for both economic and non-economic damages.
Can I still recover compensation in Texas if I was partially at fault for my accident?
Under Texas modified comparative negligence rules, you can recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault for a collision on Ocean Drive and your total damages equal $100,000, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are determined to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages from the other party under Texas law.