Getting hit while walking is sudden, frightening, and disruptive. Corpus Christi pedestrian accident lawyer Minesh Patel helps injured people regain stability and pursue full compensation with compassionate, decisive representation. Call (956) 527-0321 for a free case review. There’s no fee unless we win.
What should I do right now after a pedestrian crash in Corpus Christi?
Immediate steps save health and protect your claim. Get medical care, even if you feel “okay,” because adrenaline can mask serious injuries.
Document the scene if you safely can. Take photos, collect witness names, and keep all bills and discharge instructions.
Do not give a recorded statement to an insurer before you get legal guidance. Minesh Patel can speak for you so nothing you say gets twisted. Call (956) 527-0321 for a free consultation.
Why choose Minesh Patel for a pedestrian case?
Results come from preparation and urgency. Minesh Patel moves fast to preserve footage, secure evidence, and control the narrative before insurers do. Local knowledge matters. The Corpus Christi pedestrian accident attorneys at The Patel Firm know the corridors, insurers, and defense tactics that appear repeatedly in Nueces County cases.
You deserve an advocate who explains every step plainly. We keep communication short, clear, and actionable so you can focus on healing.
What counts as a “pedestrian accident” in Texas?
A pedestrian crash includes any vehicle striking a person on foot. That includes crosswalks, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, school zones, and work zones.
Mobility devices count. Wheelchairs, walkers, and e-scooters often bring the same right-of-way questions that Minesh Patel resolves every day.
Who can be at fault: driver, city, or someone else?
Liability can involve multiple parties. Drivers may be negligent for speeding, distraction, intoxication, or failing to yield.
Commercial and rideshare operators add layers. Employers, contractors, and insurers may share responsibility when a professional driver hits a pedestrian.
Road owners and property managers can be liable. Poor lighting, obstructed sight lines, broken signals, or dangerous parking-lot layouts can shift fault onto cities or businesses.
Defective parts and bad maintenance create risk. A brake failure or worn tires can turn a routine stop into a devastating impact.
Evidence we secure fast: traffic and security camera footage, EDR/telematics data, cell-phone metadata, 3D scene scans, lighting/visibility measurements, toxicology results, and independent witness statements. The Patel Firm coordinates reconstruction and life-care planning experts early to build value.
Can I recover if I was jaywalking or partly at fault?
Texas uses modified comparative negligence. You can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage.
Examples help. If a jury finds you 20% at fault for crossing mid-block but the driver was speeding and distracted, your compensation is reduced by 20%.
Hit-and-run and uninsured cases still have options. The pedestrian accident attorneys at The Patel Firm explore UM/UIM coverage, potential employer policies, and other compensation sources that many people overlook.
What Texas and Corpus Christi laws affect my case?
Clear rules guide crosswalks and signals. Texas Transportation Code pedestrian provisions require drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks while pedestrians must obey signals and yield mid-block.
Criminal accountability underscores safety. The Lisa Torry Smith Act makes it a criminal offense to injure or kill a pedestrian lawfully in a crosswalk, which reinforces the expectation that drivers must slow down and pay attention.
Local road context matters. High-speed arterials and multi-lane turn movements in Corpus Christi raise stopping distances and visibility challenges that The Patel Firm knows how to prove with measurements and experts.
Where do most pedestrian crashes happen around Corpus Christi and why?
Patterns help cases and prevention. Local hotspots include South Padre Island Drive (TX-358), Ayers Street, Staples Street, and Leopard Street, along with Crosstown/SH-286, the Flour Bluff/Waldron corridor, and the Downtown/Waterfront area.
Speed and sight lines drive risk. Multi-lane roads with higher limits, turning traffic, dusk lighting, and complex driveways increase the chance that a driver fails to perceive a person on foot.
By the numbers, the challenge is real. In 2023, Texas recorded 810 pedestrian fatalities, while Corpus Christi saw 8 pedestrian deaths and 19 serious injuries.
What injuries and damages can a claim cover?
Pedestrian injuries are often severe. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, fractures, complex lacerations, and internal trauma are common and expensive.
Damages aim to make you whole. Claims may include medical bills, future care, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and, when appropriate, wrongful death damages.
Documentation increases value. The Texas pedestrian injury lawyers at The Patel Firm coordinate records, expert opinions, and day-in-the-life proof to connect medical facts to real-world losses.
How long do I have to file and what’s the timeline?
Deadlines protect claims and evidence. Most Texas pedestrian cases have a two-year statute of limitations, with special rules for minors and additional notice requirements for government entities.
Process creates leverage. The typical path runs from investigation and treatment to claim submission and negotiation, to filing suit and preparing for trial if needed.
Momentum matters to outcomes. Minesh Patel prepares for trial from day one so defendants have strong reasons to resolve cases earlier and on better terms.
