June 13, 2025

Is Personal Injury Civil or Criminal?

Personal injury law is civil law, not criminal law. If another person’s negligence has hurt you anywhere in Houston or across Texas, your path to justice runs through the civil court system where you pursue compensation, not punishment. An arrest or criminal charge against the wrongdoer can happen at the same time, but your recovery depends on a civil claim that you control.

Being injured can leave you scared, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. At Callender Bowlin, we guide injured Texans through every step of the civil process with compassion and tenacity.

Need answers now? Call our Houston personal injury attorneys Mark Callender and Josh Bowlin at (713) 955-9719 for a free, no-obligation consultation and start your civil claim today.

Why Choose Callender Bowlin After a Personal Injury in Houston?

Our firm’s roots are here in Houston. Mark Callender and Josh Bowlin have devoted their careers to protecting accident victims throughout Texas from insurance tactics and corporate indifference.

Local experience. Our office at 4299 San Felipe, Ste. 300 keeps the Houston personal injury attorneys at Callender Bowlin close to Harris County civil courts and accident scenes on I-45, I-10, and Loop 610.
Proven knowledge. Attorney Mark Callender has spent decades litigating complex injury claims, while civil trial attorney Josh Bowlin is known for aggressive courtroom advocacy and million-dollar recoveries.
Client-centered care. We offer free consultations, handle cases on contingency, and stay available when clients need us most.

“Josh and Mark and the rest of the Callender Bowlin team are second to none. They are the best storm damage and hurricane attorneys in Houston.” – Chris

When you trust Houston personal injury lawyer Mark Callender or Texas trial lawyer Josh Bowlin with your case, you get seasoned litigators who care about your story and your future.

What Is Personal Injury Law (Is It Civil or Criminal)?

Personal injury law is a branch of civil tort law that lets an injured person, the plaintiff, sue the at-fault party, the defendant, for monetary damages. It is never a criminal prosecution because the goal is compensation, not punishment.

Typical personal injury matters include car wrecks, slips and falls, truck crashes, workplace explosions, and defective-product injuries. If a drunk driver on I-69 hits you, the State of Texas may charge that driver with DUI in criminal court, but your medical bills get paid only through a civil lawsuit you file.

Personal injury is therefore always civil. Texas’s civil justice system is designed to make victims whole, not send people to jail.

What’s the Difference Between a Civil Case and a Criminal Case?

Civil and criminal cases serve different purposes. In Houston, a personal injury lawsuit is filed in a Harris County civil court, while any related criminal charges proceed in the county’s criminal courthouse.

A single incident can spawn both actions, but the standards, evidence rules, and objectives remain separate. Understanding this split shows why the Houston personal injury attorneys at Callender Bowlin focus on maximizing your financial recovery while prosecutors focus on public safety.

Can an Incident Be Both a Personal Injury Case and a Criminal Case?

Yes. One event can launch two tracks:

Drunk-driving wreck. A DWI crash on I-10 may lead to criminal DUI charges and a civil lawsuit for your injuries.
Assault at a Midtown club. The attacker faces criminal assault prosecution, and you may sue the premises owner for negligent security injuries.
High-profile examples. History shows defendants found not guilty in criminal court can still be found liable for wrongful death damages in civil court because the burden of proof is lower.

A criminal conviction may help your civil claim, but it does not automatically cover your losses. Attorney Josh Bowlin often coordinates timelines with prosecutors, yet our civil team pursues independent evidence, witnesses, and expert testimony so your compensation is never tied to a criminal verdict.

What Are Common Personal Injury Cases in Houston and Texas?

Personal injury cases arise whenever negligence harms someone. Houston’s size and traffic create predictable patterns:

Car accidents. Nearly 69,000 crashes struck Houston roads in 2023, from fender-benders on the Katy Freeway to high-speed pile-ups on I-45.
Truck and 18-wheeler collisions. Commercial rigs on I-10 and at the Port of Houston cause catastrophic injuries requiring deep investigation into logbooks and federal rules.
Motorcycle crashes. Riders on the North Freeway face unique vulnerabilities and often severe trauma.
Slip-and-fall or premises liability. Falls at grocery stores in The Heights or apartment staircases in the Medical Center area trigger civil claims when property owners ignore hazards.
Workplace and industrial injuries. Refinery explosions, scaffold collapses, or plant fires around the Houston Ship Channel demand specialized knowledge of OSHA and third-party liability.
Medical malpractice. Surgical errors at local hospitals can lead to intricate civil litigation under Texas health-care liability statutes.
Wrongful death. Families pursue civil justice after fatal accidents even while criminal homicide charges might proceed separately.

The Houston personal injury attorneys at Callender Bowlin link each of these claims to extensive local resources, accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and life-care planners, to build a compelling damages demand.

What Are Some Uncommon Personal Injury Cases We Handle?

Not every injury fits into a standard category. Attorney Mark Callender and civil litigator Josh Bowlin have also represented clients in:

Toxic-exposure claims. Chemical releases in the petrochemical corridor causing respiratory illness or burns.
Maritime and offshore accidents. Injuries to seamen on Gulf rigs or dockworkers at the Port of Houston under the Jones Act.
Negligent security shootings. Violence in poorly lit parking garages where property owners failed to patrol or maintain cameras.
Drone-related impacts. Drones crashing into spectators at outdoor festivals and causing lacerations or head trauma.
Elevator or escalator malfunctions. Sudden drops in downtown high-rises or escalator entrapments at The Galleria.

Whatever the scenario, Houston injury litigator Mark Callender adapts civil strategies to modern hazards so victims are not left paying for rare but life-changing injuries.

What Should You Do After an Accident in Houston?

Seek safety and medical help. Call 911 and get immediate care even if injuries seem minor; hidden concussions and internal bleeding can worsen quickly.
Notify authorities or managers. Police reports, incident logs, and store accident forms create objective records essential to a civil claim.
Document the scene. Photos of I-69 skid marks, video of spilled liquid in a River Oaks café, or names of eyewitnesses can later prove negligence.
Avoid admitting fault. Simple apologies may be twisted by insurers to reduce payouts.
Consult a lawyer promptly. Texas gives most victims two years to file a civil lawsuit, but evidence and memories fade fast. A free consultation with Josh Bowlin or Attorney Mark Callender protects your rights from day one.

Following these steps preserves the evidence our team needs to negotiate aggressively, or sue, on your behalf.

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney for a Civil Claim?

Civil claims can become legal minefields. The Houston personal injury attorneys at Callender Bowlin navigate them for you.

Complex procedures. Filing deadlines, venue rules, and discovery battles overwhelm unrepresented plaintiffs. We handle every pleading and hearing.
True case value. Insurers undervalue pain, future surgeries, and diminished earnings. Attorney Josh Bowlin works with economists and surgeons to calculate full damages so you never settle cheap.
Negotiation leverage. Adjusters track which lawyers will try cases; Mark Callender’s trial record forces carriers to offer fair money.
Coordination with any criminal process. If a drunk driver faces prosecution, we integrate that evidence while pursuing your separate civil recovery.
Peace of mind. You focus on healing; we shoulder the calls, paperwork, and courtroom stress.

Statistically, represented victims recover far more than those who go it alone. A free case review costs nothing and may change everything.

How Can You Get Help with a Personal Injury Claim in Houston?

If an accident has upended your life, reach out today. Callender Bowlin’s Houston personal injury attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations right here at 4299 San Felipe, Ste. 300 or by phone at (713) 955-9719.

Your personal injury case is civil, and you have the right to pursue justice and compensation. Mark Callender and Josh Bowlin stand ready to fight for the outcome you deserve so you can rebuild, recover, and move forward with confidence.