In 2019 there were 37 fatalities in Corpus Christi due to car accidents, with 11 of these fatalities involving a drunk individual. Each year, the number of injuries and fatalities seems to go up, leading to more and more personal injury cases. Unfortunately, car accidents aren’t the only cause of personal injury claims.
If you live in this area, you may wonder – what are the most common personal injury cases? At the Burkett Law Firm, we see hundreds or more cases each year, each one unique. Some of the most common types of cases we represent can be found here.
1. Car Accident Injuries and Fatalities
As you may have guessed, the most common personal injury case in Corpus Christi is car accidents. If you are involved in an accident and someone else is found at fault, you may be entitled to damages.
In the state of Texas, the court system utilizes the modified comparative negligence principle. With this, the jury or judge considers the percentage of fault among each party involved in the accident. If you did not cause more fault than the driver responsible for your injuries, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. While this is true, the damages you receive will likely be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
In Texas, the law also limits what you can receive in damages. The maximum allowed is equal to the greatest of these options:
- $200,000
- Twice the number of economic damages and the amount of non-economic damages
- Twice the number of economic damages and an additional $750,000
In this situation, economic damages include medical costs, lost income, and vehicle repair. Non-economic damages include any pain and suffering experienced due to the accident.
2. Medical Malpractice
Healthcare professionals in Texas have a duty to treat every patient with a reasonable duty of care. However, mistakes happen and can be caused by doctors and other healthcare workers.
Sometimes the wrong medications are prescribed, excessive anesthetic is used, or an incorrect diagnosis is made. If there is a serious error with your medical treatment, it may worsen your current health issues or even cause new ones that threaten your life. In these situations, you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
3. Product Liability
If a product has been manufactured improperly or unsafely, and the product causes an injury, you can file a defective product lawsuit. It’s important to realize that one or several entities may be held responsible in product liability cases. For example, some of the at-fault parties may include:
- Product manufacturer
- Product distributor
- Product seller
An attorney can help determine who is at fault and hold the proper individual accountable.
4. Slip and Fall Accidents
You can file a premises liability lawsuit if you fall and suffer an injury because of another person’s negligence. It is possible to file a claim against the property owner’s insurer or file a lawsuit with the court system in Texas.
It’s necessary to file your claim within two years of the incident. In the claim, you can seek compensation for your injuries and personal property that was damaged.
5. Dog Bites
According to the CDC, over 4.7 million dog bite cases are reported in the U.S. every year. Around 800,000 of them require medical treatment. Pet owners are typically responsible for dog bites, and if you are a victim, you can file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner for damages.
6. Wrongful Death
If someone in your family passed away due to someone else’s wrongful act or negligence, you have the right to file a claim in the court system. Keep in mind that only certain people, like the deceased individua’s spouse, children, and sometimes parents, can file this claim.
7. Workplace Accidents
In most situations, if you are injured while on the job, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. However, there are some situations when you can and should file a personal injury lawsuit. These cases are not as common as some of the others on this list, but they do occur and require the help of an attorney.
Get Help with Your Corpus Christi Personal Injury Case
If you are injured in Corpus Christi, Texas, due to the fault or negligence of another person or party, you have rights. One of these rights is to file a personal injury lawsuit.
When in this situation, one of the best things you can do is to hire a personal injury attorney. Our team at the Burkett Law Firm is here to help. You can get more information by reaching out to us and scheduling a free consultation by calling (361) 223-6861. Our team is here to help ensure your rights are protected and to help you get the compensation you deserve.