Dedicated Corpus Christi Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
A drunk driver's criminal choice can throw your life into chaos with injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty. A Corpus Christi drunk driving accident lawyer stands up as your advocate and fighter. They can hold the negligent driver accountable and pursue compensation for your financial recovery.
At Heil Law Firm, we’re ready to bring the fight to them. Call us at (361) 356-1277 to learn how we battle for justice for you.
Key Takeaways:
Drunk‐driving accidents often involve higher degrees of negligence and potential for enhanced damages.
Victims may face serious physical and emotional consequences (traumatic injuries, loss of life, wrongful death).
Criminal charges against the drunk driver may help establish fault and strengthen the civil claim.
Insurance coverage, punitive damages, and the driver’s prior record may all contribute to case value.
Getting legal help quickly ensures evidence (blood-alcohol tests, witness statements, driver history) is secured and your rights are protected.
Why Choose Heil Law Firm for Your Corpus Christi Drunk Driving Injury Claim
Heil Law Firm offers aggressive representation rooted in the Coastal Bend. We focus on one thing: winning for our clients and our community.
Your Local Lawyers
We’re a part of this community. Our team understands the roads you travel every day, from the Crosstown Expressway and SPID to the Harbor Bridge. We know the devastating impact a drunk driving wreck in Flour Bluff or near La Palmera has on a family.
Our local knowledge allows us to conduct more effective investigations into accidents throughout Nueces County. We’re dedicated to keeping our community safe by holding negligent drivers accountable.
A Proven Record
Insurance companies aren’t on your side, and they want to pay you as little as possible. We battle these corporate giants to get the results you need to cover your bills. We prepare every drunk driving accident case as if it will go before a Nueces County jury.
Our relentless preparation often forces insurance companies to offer fair settlements because they know we’re always ready for a fight.
Your Victory Is a Win for Our Community
"Battling for Justice, Winning for Community" is our promise to you and the rest of the Coastal Bend. When we win your case, we donate a portion of our earnings back to local organizations, so your victory becomes a victory for everyone.
We also put you first with our client-first promise. Your recovery is always the top priority. Your fight for justice starts now. Contact the dedicated Corpus Christi team at Heil Law Firm today at (361) 356-1277 for your free consultation.
Get A FREE Case Evaluation (361) 356-1277
How a Corpus Christi Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Boosts Your Claim
While you focus on healing, your Corpus Christi impaired driving accident attorney takes on the entire legal burden. We manage every detail, from the initial investigation to the final resolution.
Investigating the Crash
The foundation of your claim is proving that the other driver was intoxicated and that their negligence caused your injuries. We act quickly to preserve all evidence.
Your lawyer obtains the official police report, breathalyzer or blood test results, and any available dashcam or surveillance video from the scene. We interview witnesses who saw the crash or observed the driver's behavior before they got behind the wheel.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Sometimes the drunk driver isn’t the only one at fault. Texas law allows victims to hold bars, restaurants, or stores accountable for a crash under certain circumstances.
A business may be liable if it sold alcohol to a person who was visibly intoxicated, who then got in their car and caused a crash. Your Corpus Christi drunk driving accident attorney investigates where the driver was drinking.
If we find a business that overserved them, we pursue a claim against that establishment in addition to the driver. This action increases the potential sources for your financial recovery.
Managing Insurance Adjusters
Shortly after the wreck, the other driver's insurance adjuster will likely call you. Their job is to protect their company's profits, not to help you. They may ask for a recorded statement to twist your words or offer a quick, low settlement that doesn't cover your future needs.
When you hire us, we handle all of these communications. You can simply direct all calls to our office, and we’ll protect you from their tactics.
Navigating the Legal System After a Wreck in Nueces County
The legal process can seem complicated, but a skilled lawyer guides you through it. Your Corpus Christi drunk driving injury lawyer helps you hurdle key laws and procedures to avoid being tripped up by bureaucratic red tape. We handle the complexities so you don't have to.
How the Criminal DWI Case Impacts Your Claim
The person who hit you faces a criminal case for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and a civil claim from you for your damages. These two cases are separate but related. A conviction in the criminal case, whether through a plea bargain or a jury trial, serves as powerful evidence in your civil lawsuit.
It establishes the driver's negligence, which strengthens your position when demanding compensation from their insurance company.
Texas Laws That Affect Your Case
Two key Texas laws have a direct impact on your claim. The statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a lawsuit. In most cases, you have two years from the accident. This time passes quickly, and evidence can disappear with time, so contact a lawyer immediately.
The other law is the rule of proportionate responsibility, which states that your compensation may be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the accident. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
Your lawyer manages your case to meet all deadlines and fights back against any attempts by the insurance company to unfairly blame you for the wreck.
Types of Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident in Corpus Christi
A drunk driving accident creates significant financial and personal losses. Your claim seeks to recover compensation for all the ways this event has impacted your life. A Corpus Christi impaired driving accident lawyer meticulously calculates your damages and fights for a full recovery.
Your compensation claim may include recovery for:
- Medical Treatment: This covers the cost of all past and future medical care, including hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, and medication.
- Lost Income: We pursue compensation for the wages, benefits, and earning ability you lost because of your injuries.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering: You may be compensated for the physical pain and discomfort your injuries have caused.
- Mental Anguish: This payment addresses the emotional trauma of the accident, including anxiety, fear, and depression.
- Punitive Damages: In drunk driving cases, we often seek these additional damages to punish the wrongdoer for their gross negligence and deter similar future conduct.
3 Actions To Protect Your Claim (and 3 To Avoid)
While your attorney manages the legal strategy, there are steps you can take to help protect your rights and strengthen your case. Being proactive and careful with what you say and do after a wreck affects your case.
Here are three actions to take that help your case:
- Report the Accident: Contact the Corpus Christi police or the appropriate law enforcement agency to ensure an official accident report was created. Then, request a copy.
- Follow Doctor's Orders: Attend all your medical appointments and follow through with the complete treatment plan prescribed by your doctors. Missed appointments allow insurers to point out that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.
- Keep Detailed Records: Keep a file with all your medical bills and receipts, and a journal documenting your pain levels and how the injuries impact your daily life.
Here are some actions to avoid that can harm your case:
- Giving a Recorded Statement: Avoid giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster before you have spoken with your Corpus Christi drunk driving accident lawyer.
- Accepting a Quick Settlement: Don’t accept an early settlement offer from an insurance company, as they are almost always far less than the full value of your claim.
- Posting on Social Media: Refrain from posting any pictures, comments, or updates about the accident, your injuries, or your daily activities on any social media platform. Even innocent pictures or posts can be used against you.
FAQ for Corpus Christi Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
What Is the First Thing I Should Do After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver?
Once you have received medical care for your injuries, contact a Corpus Christi drunk driving accident lawyer. Getting legal advice early on protects your rights. An attorney will immediately begin investigating your case and collecting evidence. Your lawyer also stops insurers from hassling you.
Can I Sue the Bar That Over-Served the Drunk Driver in Corpus Christi?
Yes, in many situations you can file suit against a bar after a drunk driving crash. The Texas Dram Shop Act allows you to hold an establishment liable if it continued to serve alcohol to a patron who was obviously intoxicated and presented a clear danger to the public.
Our firm investigates every case to see if a bar or restaurant also bears responsibility for your injuries.
What Are Punitive Damages and Do They Apply to My Case?
Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages in Texas, are a type of compensation awarded to punish a defendant for grossly negligent behavior and to discourage others from similar conduct.
Drunk driving is often considered gross negligence. We aggressively pursue punitive damages in these cases to hold the drunk driver fully accountable for their reckless actions.
Will the Driver's Criminal DWI Case Get Me Compensation for My Bills?
No, the criminal case and your civil case are separate. The criminal court's goal is to punish the driver with penalties like fines or jail time. Your personal injury claim is a civil case where you seek financial compensation for your losses from the at-fault driver's insurance company.
I Was a Passenger With the Drunk Driver. Can I Still Make a Claim?
Yes, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, even if you were a passenger in the at-fault driver's vehicle. Passengers are rarely responsible for how the vehicle was operated. You can file a claim against the driver's insurance policy to cover the damages you suffered.
What Can I Do if the Drunk Driver's Insurance Says My Claim Is Only Worth a Small Amount?
Insurance companies are notorious for making lowball settlement offers to victims, especially early on. Don’t accept any offer without speaking to an attorney. A lawyer evaluates your claim's true worth by calculating all your current and future damages and will fight for a settlement that is fair.
What if the Drunk Driver Who Hit Me Was Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you still have options. Your own auto insurance policy may include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This coverage protects you in this exact situation, and we can help you file a claim with your own insurance company.
Why Do I Need a Corpus Christi Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer if It’s Obvious the Other Driver Was at Fault?
Even when fault seems clear, getting fair compensation is a fight. An insurance company will still try to minimize your injuries or argue you were somehow partially to blame.
A Corpus Christi drunk driving accident lawyer anticipates these tactics, gathers the evidence needed to prove the full extent of your damages, and builds a strong, evidence-backed case.
Your Battle Is Our Battle
A drunk driver's criminal act injured you, but you don’t have to let them ruin your future. At Heil Law Firm, we stand with the victims of drunk driving accidents and provide the aggressive, local representation you need to fight back. We won’t be outworked or intimidated.
Your fight begins today. Call the Corpus Christi personal injury attorneys team at Heil Law Firm at (361) 356-1277 for a free and confidential case consultation, or contact us online.
Get A FREE Case Evaluation (361) 356-1277
Our Testimonials.
There’s a reason that this group is voted the Best in Texas …. They go above and beyond to ensure that you are taken care of during your traumatic experience. I HIGHLY recommend Mr. Heil. Ms. Gloria and Ms. Veronica are two of the best people I have ever met.
Keith Porter
Every interaction with each member of the staff we had yielded quality answers to our questions. Heil Law Firm employees were exceptionally professional in service, and simultaneously maintained a friendly and helpful business attitude.
Nicholas Green
Quality experienced staff that they really care, I would recommend them to anyone. It’s great that you don’t have to pay out of pocket to receive the medical treatment you need, they take care of everything including dealing with the insurance companies.
Ben W
Attorney Robert J Heil, was so kind and humble, and so is the rest of his team, the Heil Law Firm, they all welcomed me with open arms and did their best efforts to get excellent results in my case, I'm just so grateful for you guys help, appreciate everything you all do for the good and the people.
Leticia Berg
Excellent service, very professional and high quality, 100% recommended.
