Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Many individuals underestimate their level of intoxication, with some even believing they are “good” at driving while impaired. However, there’s no such thing as a good drunk driver, and every person who drives under the influence poses a significant risk to others on Houston’s roads.

While Houston law enforcement officers actively look for drunk drivers, they cannot catch all of them. Many impaired drivers display various erratic behaviors, including unnecessary braking, swerving out of designated lanes and speeding excessively or driving below the speed limit, failing to use turn signals or turn on lights, driving the wrong way on one-way roads or highways, and ignoring traffic signals or stop signs.

Alcohol significantly impairs a driver’s reflexes, attention, and reaction times, leading to various types of crashes. No matter how these crashes occur, the resulting injuries can be life-altering.

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver in Houston, it’s essential to have a law firm that comprehends the challenges you and your family may encounter. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Drunk driving accidents are a tragic, yet all too common, occurrence in Houston. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including but not limited to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burns, and even wrongful death. Victims and their families face not only the physical and emotional toll of these accidents but also the financial burdens of medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care.

As Houston drunk driving accident lawyers, we have seen firsthand the pain and suffering these accidents cause. Our mission is to provide unwavering support to victims and their families during these trying times. We are dedicated to holding the responsible parties accountable, whether they are impaired drivers, establishments that over serve alcohol, or other liable parties.

When the police determine a driver is drunk, they typically place the driver under arrest, leading to DUI charges. Many accident victims mistakenly believe that once a criminal case commences, they do not need to take any additional action. However, it’s essential to recognize that criminal and civil drunk driving cases are separate matters.

In a criminal case, the prosecutor’s aim is to impose penalties on the drunk driver, such as driver’s license suspension, fines, or jail time. Unfortunately, providing reimbursement to accident victims often ranks low in terms of priority in a criminal case. Even if a driver is convicted, it’s unlikely that the criminal court will award substantial compensation for injury-related losses.

It’s important to note that if you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you’ll need to file your own compensation claim. This can be done through insurance companies or civil courts, depending on the extent of your injuries and losses. Even though this may seem like a separate process from the criminal case, it’s still important to pursue a DUI conviction against the driver. A conviction can be used to establish that the driver was at fault for the accident, which can relieve you of the burden of proving negligence and liability. This will allow you to focus on determining the compensation you’re entitled to.

When someone chooses to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they are not only breaking the law but also endangering the lives of others. As your advocates, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, gather evidence, and work with law enforcement to ensure the impaired driver faces the appropriate legal consequences.

We will pursue civil action against the negligent driver to secure compensation for your injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses. Our goal is to make sure they are held accountable not only in criminal court but also in civil court, where we can seek damages on your behalf.

Texas law grants certain rights to individuals who suffer injuries due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others. Every driver has a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely, and driving under the influence represents a clear breach of that duty. Such breaches that result in injuries to others render the driver negligent and liable for all subsequent damages and injuries to others render the driver negligent and liable for all subsequent damages and injuries.

While financial recovery is not automatic for drunk driving victims, they must take proactive measures to seek compensation for their injuries. The legal process can be complex, further complicating matters for individuals already dealing with the stress of recovery. This is where an experienced Houston drunk driving attorney comes into play.

As an injury victim, it’s crucial to understand your rights. An attorney can help you with this and typically, your rights would include:

• The right to file an insurance claim with the drunk driver’s auto insurance company.
• The right to file a legal claim in civil court for personal injury.

In both instances, you can seek compensation for losses directly resulting from your injury-related injuries. This includes medical expenses, such as emergency room costs, hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor appointments, physical therapy, and estimated future treatment expenses. Compensation can also extend to lost income, covering both wages missed due to time off work and future lost earnings if your injuries affect your ability to work and earn as you once did. Additionally, you have the right to recover damages for pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, and other intangible losses.

Failure to understand your rights might lead you to accept a significantly lower settlement offer than you deserve. Seeking the counsel and assistance of an experienced attorney can ensure that you fully exercise your rights, maximizing your compensation based on the extent of your injuries and losses.

The unpredictable behavior of drunk drivers often leads to specific types of collisions. These include:

• Head-on Collisions: Wrong-way driving on roads commonly results in head-on collisions. A drunk driver who departs from their lane and crosses a double-yellow line significantly increases the risk of a head-on crash.
• Rear-end Collisions: Impaired drivers often fail to pay close attention to the road, potentially causing them to collide with vehicles in front of them. Although rear-end collisions are sometimes perceived as minor “fender-benders,” they can result in severe injuries.
• Rollover Crashes: Drunk drivers may misjudge their speed on turns, make hazardous lane changes, or overcorrect driving errors, leading to a loss of control and rollovers. While rollover accidents can involve a single vehicle, the drunk driver’s vehicle can crash into others or initiate chain-reaction collisions affecting other drivers.

In any collision type, a drunk driver in Houston can cause significant harm to unsuspecting motorists. In certain cases, third parties beyond the drunk driver can also be held liable for crash-related injuries. 

Texas law allows for the potential liability of alcohol providers who serve alcohol to the impaired individual. Such liable parties may encompass:

• Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol vendors that served alcohol to individuals under the age of 18.
• Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol vendors that served alcohol to individuals who were visibly intoxicated and posed a risk to themselves and others.
• Adults who provided alcohol to individuals under the age of 18 at social gatherings.

In such instances, the injuries must have been foreseeable consequences of the individual’s intoxication. These “dram shop” claims may not always be applicable, but an attorney can identify situations where additional parties may be held accountable for your losses.

As your Houston drunk driving accident lawyers, we will aggressively pursue compensation to help you recover and rebuild your life after the accident. This compensation may cover:

• Medical Expenses: Costs related to your initial treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and ongoing medical care.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries have prevented you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you have lost, as well as potential future earnings.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress you’ve endured as a result of the accident.
• Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your damaged vehicle.
• Wrongful Death: In cases where a drunk driving accident results in the loss of a loved one, we can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more.

We will meticulously assess your case to determine the full extent of your damages, ensuring that all losses are accounted for in the compensation we seek. Our goal is to provide you with the resources and support you need to move forward with your life.

It’s natural for an accident to be a distressing experience, causing many victims to be in shock and unable to take steps to protect their legal rights. However, if you believe that the driver responsible for your accident was impaired, you can follow these steps:

• Observe Signs of Impairment: Look for indications of intoxication, such as stumbling, slurred speech, bloodshot or watery eyes, the smell of alcohol, and other telltale signs.
• Contact the Police: After an accident, especially if you suspect the other driver is impaired, call the police. They will arrive at the scene and conduct field sobriety tests, breath tests, and other assessments to determine the driver’s level of impairment. If the driver is found to be over the legal limit, they will likely be arrested, initiating a criminal case that can assist in your financial recovery.
• Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and well-being. If emergency medical technicians recommend an ambulance ride, follow their advice to ensure your physical condition is appropriately stabilized and monitored. Even if you don’t require emergency transportation, promptly diagnosing your injuries can contribute to your physical recovery and increase your potential financial compensation.
• Gather Information: While waiting at the accident scene, collect information from other motorists involved and witnesses who stopped to help. More information can significantly benefit your case, including photographs of the vehicles and road conditions at the time of the accident.
• Consult an Attorney: After discussing the incident with the police, receiving necessary medical attention, and recovering from the initial shock, do not delay in contacting a qualified Houston DWI accident attorney.