Determining Liability for Corpus Christi Road Construction Site Accidents

With a highway network that supports many Texas business ventures, Corpus Christi frequently undergoes road improvement work for its key transportation needs. Although these efforts enhance the city, the Corpus Christi, TX, work injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw know well that increased road construction introduces more opportunities for harmful workplace accidents.

If you’ve been hurt at your road construction site, your employer most likely provides workers’ compensation benefits that cover some costs for your injuries. At the same time, an attorney ascertains whether personal injury claims are appropriate instead of or in addition to your workers’ claim.

In this article, you can learn more about how a legal team determines third-party liability and progresses a strong case on your behalf.

First, documentation is crucial for all legal actions. Ideally, you yourself will collect some of this evidence immediately following your construction accident in Corpus Christi. However, a lawyer can work to fill in gaps during the ongoing investigation.

For instance, evidence that supplies important details might include the following:

• Accident reports
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos
• Medical records
• Employment records (for lost wages documentation)
• Maintenance and inspection records for the worksite
• Road construction plans
• Expert opinions

In general, obtaining these records helps your legal team prove the cause of the accident and the impact it had on you.

After evaluating your case, a Texas construction accident lawyer determines which third parties should be accountable for your injuries. (In personal injury cases, the term “third party” refers to anyone other than your employer.)

The following third parties are commonly responsible for road construction accidents:

• Drivers moving carelessly or recklessly through work zones
• Equipment manufacturers whose products dangerously fail to behave as expected
• Contractors or subcontractors who don’t properly secure equipment or otherwise create hazardous conditions
• Property owners who don’t warn workers of risks on the premises

Then, the best course of legal action against each involved third party depends on their specific role.

Your construction injury attorney in Corpus Christi, Texas, will apply knowledge of local laws and precedents to prove liability—which is another word for legal responsibility.

A strong case against many third parties in road construction accidents in Texas requires proving negligence. In other words, you should be able to demonstrate the following factors in your case:

• Duty of care, such as a driver’s duty to follow road signs and refrain from distraction
• Breach of duty, meaning that a defendant failed to do something that resulted in harm
• Cause, which establishes the third party’s role in causing your injuries
• Damages, such as medical costs, lost wages, or noneconomic damages like suffering

Whether your circumstances involve hazards on the premises, negligence, product defects, or even someone’s intent to cause you harm, your attorneys use their expertise to recommend a legal strategy.

Beyond determining liability for Corpus Christi road construction site accidents, members of your legal team should also demonstrate that they’re attuned to your needs. For example, look for the following qualities:

• Active listening
• Paraphrasing and summarizing to ensure that you understand
• Clarifying expectations about legal options
• Providing updates proactively and answering questions promptly

When lawyers prioritize these skills, they can truly provide the strategy that’s best for you, not for any anonymous client. As former President of the American Bar Association Karen J. Mathis has said, “caring is as much a part of the legal profession as intelligence.”

Carabin Shaw’s client reviews showcase the team’s empathy and expertise. To set up your own free case review and initial consultation, call the toll-free number 800-862-1260. Our staff is available around the clock on any day to support you in English or Spanish—just the beginning of the care you’ll receive over the course of your case.

For more information:

• Duke University: The Heart of Lawyering: Clients, Empathy, and Compassion
• FindLaw: Texas Negligence Laws
• Texas Department of Transportation: Corpus Christi projects and studies
• Texas Economic Development Corporation: Corpus Christi Area of Economic Development