Corpus Christi Drunk-Driving Accident Attorney

More than 50 Years of Combined Personal Injury Experience for Coastal Bend Victims

When a drunk driver causes a collision in Corpus Christi, the consequences reach far beyond any criminal case. The driver may face fines, license suspension, and possible jail time under Texas DWI law, but those criminal proceedings don’t compensate injured people or families for what they’ve lost. A separate civil claim is the path for pursuing that compensation, and it operates under its own rules, standards, and timeline.

We are Gonzales Law Firm, a family-owned personal injury practice representing injury victims and their families throughout the Coastal Bend. Our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience to serious injury and wrongful death claims arising from vehicle accidents, and we offer free consultations, contingency-based representation, 24/7 availability, and bilingual service in English and Spanish.

Contact our Corpus Christi drunk-driving accident lawyer by calling (361) 309-4243 today.

Texas Law & Drunk-Driving Injury Claims

Under Texas law, intoxication means losing the normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or another substance, or having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. When a driver meets that standard, evidence of intoxication can become a key element in a civil claim and may help establish that the driver failed to use reasonable care on the road. But the civil claim is separate from any criminal case and requires its own proof of causation and damages.

Texas generally provides a two-year period to bring a personal injury or wrongful death claim, measured from the date of the incident. Statutory exceptions exist, and the specific facts of a claim can affect that timeline, which is why obtaining legal advice promptly matters. We evaluate how available intoxication evidence affects the civil claim and identify the parties whose conduct may be relevant under the facts of each case.

Texas law also addresses situations where an alcohol provider may share responsibility. Under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code’s dram shop provisions, a provider claim requires proof that the recipient was obviously intoxicated to the extent of presenting a clear danger and that the intoxication was a proximate cause of the damages. This is a distinct theory with its own evidentiary requirements, not an automatic consequence of the driver’s arrest or conviction.

How We Help Drunk-Driving Accident Victims

We prepare each claim by gathering police reports, witness accounts, crash-scene information, medical records, wage documentation, and available intoxication evidence. We assess how the collision caused your injuries and document medical expenses, future treatment needs, lost income or reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain, and the effects on daily life.

We also handle insurer communications, review settlement offers with you, and explain negotiation or litigation options. You work directly with our attorneys and receive updates throughout the case.

Liability & Evidence in Drunk-Driving Accident Claims

After a drunk-driving crash, one of the biggest questions is how fault will be proven and who may be held financially responsible. We investigate whether the impaired driver, an alcohol provider, or another potentially responsible party contributed to the collision.

Evidence in these cases often includes the police crash report, the officer’s field sobriety observations, blood or breath test results, witness statements, photographs, and video from nearby businesses. A conviction or arrest can be pertinent evidence, but the civil claim still requires proof of causation and damages connecting the driver’s conduct to the claimant’s specific losses. We may also review employer records and other documentation when additional theories of liability are supported by the facts.

Claims arising from Corpus Christi collisions may proceed in the county and district courts serving Nueces County. We can explain how a claim may move through those courts and what procedural steps to expect based on the facts of your case.

How Insurance Companies Handle Drunk-Driving Claims

Insurance companies approach drunk-driving claims with their own interests in mind, even when liability seems clear. Adjusters may contact you quickly, ask for recorded statements, or request broad access to your medical history. While these conversations may sound friendly, the information gathered can be used to minimize payouts or dispute the extent of your injuries, especially when ongoing treatment is needed.

We take over communication with insurance carriers so we can address pressure or unexpected communications. Insurers may blame preexisting conditions, downplay the effect of pain on your work, or suggest that treatment was unnecessary. We review written and verbal requests, explain documents before you sign them, and address communications that could affect your rights.

As your claim develops, we assemble the documentation insurers need to evaluate your losses, including wage information, medical records, and statements about how your injuries affect your daily activities. When a settlement offer is made, we break down the numbers with you and compare them to your past and anticipated future expenses. If the offer doesn’t reflect the full impact of the crash, we discuss negotiation strategies and, when appropriate, the option of filing a lawsuit in the courts serving Corpus Christi.

What to Expect When You Work with Our Firm

From the initial consultation, we explain the likely steps in your claim and the information we need to begin. Our process is designed to keep you informed while we handle the investigation, insurer communications, and legal deadlines.

During our initial consultation, we listen carefully as you describe how the wreck happened and what you are experiencing now. We answer your questions about filing deadlines, insurance communications, and the records that may support your claim. If we move forward together, we can outline a plan for investigating the crash, communicating with insurance companies, and updating you at key milestones. You know who is handling your case because you work directly with our attorneys, not through layers of staff.

As your case progresses, we check in regularly by phone, email, or in-person meetings, depending on what works best for you. We review any settlement offers with you in detail, explain the pros and cons of accepting or rejecting them, and give you clear, candid guidance without pressure. If litigation becomes necessary, we can walk you through what to expect in Nueces County courts, from depositions and hearings to a possible trial. We explain each stage so you understand the status of your claim and the decisions ahead.