The Burkett Law Firm is a Corpus Christi car accident law firm that has represented injured drivers, passengers and families in Nueces County and the Coastal Bend since 1960. We handle crash claims against negligent drivers, their employers and their insurers. Consultations are free, and we work on contingency, with no fee or case costs unless we win.
Three generations of Burkett attorneys have tried cases in Corpus Christi courtrooms. David Burkett is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he works alongside attorneys Nathan Burkett and Eddie Perez from our office at 538 S Tancahua St in downtown Corpus Christi. We represent people from Portland, Robstown, Calallen, Flour Bluff, Padre Island, Port Aransas, Rockport, Kingsville and Alice, as well as Corpus Christi itself.
How common are car accidents in Nueces County?
Crashes are a daily event here. According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2025 county crash reports, built from Crash Records Information System (CRIS) data processed in April 2026, Nueces County recorded 8,005 reportable crashes in 2025. Those crashes killed 50 people and caused 187 suspected serious injuries.
| Nueces County, 2025 (TxDOT) | Count |
|---|---|
| Total reportable crashes | 8,005 |
| People killed | 50 |
| Suspected serious injuries | 187 |
| Suspected minor injuries | 1,434 |
| Speed-involved crashes | 2,251 |
| Alcohol-involved (DUI) crashes | 350 |
| Distracted-driver crashes | 383 |
Statewide, TxDOT’s 2025 Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts reports that 3,769 people died and 244,534 people were injured on Texas roads. One reportable crash occurred every 59 seconds, and TxDOT recorded no deathless days in 2025. Behind each of those numbers is a family dealing with medical bills, missed work and an insurance company that wants to pay as little as possible.
What causes car accidents on Corpus Christi roads?
Most crashes come down to a driver who was not paying attention, was going too fast or made a bad decision. The local pattern follows the roads people use every day:
- Speeding. Speed was a factor in 2,251 Nueces County crashes in 2025 and in 18 of the county’s 50 traffic deaths, according to TxDOT. High speeds on I-37 and South Padre Island Drive (SPID / TX-358) leave little room to react.
- Drunk and impaired driving. TxDOT counted 350 alcohol-involved crashes in Nueces County in 2025, which killed 15 people. Late-night crashes near the Bayfront, Ocean Drive and the Island are a recurring problem.
- Distracted driving. Phones, navigation screens and passengers pull eyes off the road. TxDOT attributed 383 Nueces County crashes in 2025 to a distracted driver.
- Following too closely. Stop-and-go traffic on SPID near the Staples Street and Airline Road exits and on the Crosstown Expressway (TX-286) produces chain-reaction rear-end collisions.
- Unsafe lane changes and merges. Short on-ramps and exits along SPID, I-37 and US-181 near the Harbor Bridge force quick decisions that end in sideswipes.
- Failure to yield at intersections. Left turns across traffic and red-light running cause T-bone crashes on surface streets such as Staples, Everhart and Ayers.
- Commercial and work vehicles. Delivery vans, company pickups and service trucks are on the road all day, and a crash with one often brings in the employer and a commercial insurance policy.
- Visitors and weather. Tourists unfamiliar with Ocean Drive and the Padre Island roads, along with sudden coastal downpours that flood low spots, add risk.
Each crash type raises different evidence and liability questions. Our guide to the types of car accidents we handle covers rear-end, T-bone, rideshare, passenger and hit-and-run claims in more detail.
What should you do after a car accident in Corpus Christi?
What you do in the first days after a crash can shape the whole claim. If you are able, take these steps:
- Stop, call 911 and help anyone who is hurt. Texas law requires drivers in a crash involving injury or death to stop, exchange information and give reasonable assistance (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 550.021 and 550.023). Section 550.026 also requires immediate notice to police when someone is injured or killed or a vehicle cannot be safely driven.
- Get medical care the same day. Concussions, whiplash and internal injuries do not always show symptoms at the scene. A prompt medical record also links your injuries to the crash.
- Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions and your injuries. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Get the crash report. The investigating officer, usually from the Corpus Christi Police Department, the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office or the Texas Department of Public Safety, prepares a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). Copies are available through TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System.
- Be careful with insurance adjusters. You must notify your own insurer, but you do not have to give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement. Adjusters use early statements to minimize injuries or shift blame.
- Keep records. Save medical bills, receipts, pay stubs and a short daily journal of pain and limitations.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing anything. A quick settlement offer usually comes before anyone knows the full cost of your injuries, and a release ends your claim for good.
What Texas laws control a Corpus Christi car accident claim?
Texas is a fault-based state, which means the driver who caused the crash and that driver’s insurer pay for the harm. Several Texas laws decide how much you can recover and how long you have to act.
| Rule | What it means for your claim | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Two-year deadline | Most injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 |
| 51% bar | You can recover if you are 50% or less at fault; your award is reduced by your share | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 33.001, 33.012 |
| Minimum liability insurance | Drivers must carry at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per crash for injuries and $25,000 for property damage | Tex. Transp. Code § 601.072 |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage | Insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage, and it applies unless you rejected it in writing | Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.101 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Auto policies include at least $2,500 in PIP per person, regardless of fault, unless rejected in writing | Tex. Ins. Code §§ 1952.152–1952.153 |
| Claims against a government driver | Notice of the claim must generally reach the governmental unit within six months, and city charters can set their own notice terms | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101 |
The two-year clock is unforgiving. If a lawsuit is not filed in time, the claim is usually lost no matter how strong it is. Some exceptions apply, such as for injured children, and our Texas personal injury statute of limitations guide explains them.
Fault is often disputed. Under the proportionate responsibility statute, a jury assigns a percentage of responsibility to each party. If you are found 20% at fault for a crash with $100,000 in damages, your recovery drops to $80,000. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. Insurers know this, which is why they work so hard to put blame on the injured person. Our article on the Texas 51% comparative fault bar walks through how these percentages are argued.
The $30,000 minimum rarely covers a serious injury. When the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little, your own UM/UIM coverage may fill the gap. See our guide on what to do if you are hit by an uninsured driver in Texas.
What compensation can you recover after a car crash?
Texas law allows an injured person to recover the full measure of harm caused by a negligent driver. Depending on the facts, that can include:
- Medical expenses, past and future, including emergency care, surgery, therapy and medication
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity if your injuries keep you from returning to the same work
- Physical pain and mental anguish
- Physical impairment and disfigurement
- Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement and a rental car
When a crash is fatal, the Texas Wrongful Death Act (Chapter 71 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code) allows the surviving spouse, children and parents to bring a claim under § 71.004 for lost financial support, lost companionship and mental anguish. Our wrongful death attorneys handle these cases with the care they require.
Exemplary (punitive) damages may be available when a driver acted with gross negligence, such as driving while heavily intoxicated. Texas caps these damages under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.008, but the cap does not apply to certain felony conduct, including intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.
What if the crash involved a company vehicle or a rideshare driver?
Many serious Corpus Christi crashes involve someone who was driving for work: a delivery driver, a contractor in a company pickup, a plant worker heading to a job site or a rideshare driver. Under Texas law, an employer is generally responsible for the negligence of an employee acting within the course and scope of the job. An employer can also be liable on its own for hiring an unqualified driver, ignoring a poor driving record or failing to maintain its vehicles.
These cases matter because commercial policies usually carry far higher limits than the $30,000 state minimum. They also bring in corporate insurers and defense lawyers who move fast. Rideshare claims have their own layers of coverage, and which policy applies depends on whether the driver was offline, logged in and waiting, or carrying a passenger. Sorting out those questions early keeps a valid claim from being denied on a technicality.
How does The Burkett Law Firm build a car accident case?
Insurance companies start building their defense the day of the crash. We start building your case as soon as you hire us.
- We lock down evidence early. We request the crash report, 911 recordings and body camera footage, and we ask nearby businesses along SPID, Staples and other corridors to preserve surveillance video before it is recorded over. When needed, we preserve the vehicles and download their event data recorders.
- We find every source of coverage. That means the at-fault driver’s policy, any employer whose worker was on the job, and your own UM/UIM and PIP benefits.
- We document your injuries fully. We work with your treating doctors and, where appropriate, medical and economic experts to show what your injuries will cost over your lifetime.
- We negotiate from strength. Adjusters know which firms are prepared to try cases. When an insurer will not pay fair value, we are prepared to file suit and take the case to a jury.
What results has The Burkett Law Firm obtained for crash victims?
The Burkett Law Firm has recovered more than $80,000,000 for injured clients and families. Published results include:
- $20,000,000 in a commercial van wrongful death case
- $6,000,000 in a parking lot pedestrian case
- $5,750,000 in a company vehicle rollover case
Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
Frequently asked questions about Corpus Christi car accident claims
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
The Burkett Law Firm handles car accident cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing up front, and our fee comes out of the recovery only if we win. Clients also pay no case costs unless compensation is recovered. The first consultation is free.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Texas?
Most car accident injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Claims involving a city, county or state vehicle can require written notice within six months or sooner. Evidence also fades quickly, so it is best to call well before any deadline.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, so the way fault is argued matters. We investigate the crash to keep blame where it belongs.
What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay for your injuries, and Texas insurers must offer it. Unless you rejected it in writing, it is likely part of your policy. We also look for other responsible parties, such as an employer or the owner of the vehicle.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
You are not required to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement, and it is usually wise not to before speaking with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to collect statements that minimize injuries or suggest you share the blame. Once you hire us, we handle those communications.
How long does a car accident case take?
A case with clear liability and finished medical treatment may resolve in several months. A case with serious injuries, disputed fault or an insurer that refuses to pay fair value can take a year or more, especially if it goes to trial. We will not push you to settle before the full extent of your injuries is known.
When should you call a Corpus Christi car accident lawyer?
Call as soon as you can after getting medical care, especially if you were hurt, missed work, are being blamed for the crash or have been offered a quick settlement. Early action lets us preserve video and vehicle data before it is gone and protects you from statements that can be used against you later.
The Burkett Law Firm offers a free consultation and represents car accident victims on contingency, with no fee and no case costs unless we recover compensation for you. Call (361) 882-8822 or contact The Burkett Law Firm online to talk with an attorney about your case. Our office is at 538 S Tancahua St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401.
Reviewed by David Burkett, Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization
