Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk Driving Accidents

Were you or a loved one injured in a Texas drunk driving accident?

There were more than 17,000 people seriously injured in drunk driving accidents in Texas in 2015, according to drunk driving statistics released by the Texas Department of Transportation. If you plan on drinking alcohol and driving, you should consider making other plans. Find a designated driver or call a taxi to drive you home after drinking. Drunk driving is exceedingly dangerous and puts lives at risk.

If you’re injured in a Texas drunk driving accident, you can pursue a civil lawsuit against the driver to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses you suffered.

You may also be able to seek punitive damages against the driver to penalize reckless behavior and discourage future incidents of intoxicated driving. Punitive damages are intended to not only punish the driver but to serve as a warning to others who drink and drive.

Texas Drunk Driving Statistics

Drunk drivers put innocent lives at risk. Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation state that alcohol-related car accidents caused more than 3,500 deaths in 2015. A significant percentage of these deaths were passengers in the intoxicated person’s car, pedestrians, bicyclists, and people in other vehicles.

If someone you love was killed in a drunk driving accident in Texas, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit and seek compensation for the losses you suffered due to your loved one’s death. Wrongful death lawsuits can’t bring your loved one back, but they can help you pay for your loved one’s medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of consortium, and other damages.

Texas Drunk Driving Laws

Texas uses a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to determine whether a driver suspected of intoxicated driving is too drunk to operate a motor vehicle. If the driver’s BAC is 0.08 percent or greater, he or she will be in violation of Texas drunk driving laws and may be faced with hefty fines, suspended driver’s license, or even jail time.

A judge may order the drunk driver to attend alcohol intervention programs and/or perform community service. If the intoxicated driver is involved in a car crash, the driver may face serious charges and may be found liable in a Texas drunk driving lawsuit.

Who Is Liable for Drunk Driving Crashes?

 An intoxicated driver who was involved in a Texas drunk driving accident is likely to be found to be at least somewhat at fault for the accident and may face severe penalties and damages from a drunk driver car accident lawsuit.

However, drunk driving cases are more complicated than other car accidents involving negligence or recklessness. The facts behind each drunk driving accident are unique, and the factors leading up to the driver’s intoxication are relevant to building a drunk driving lawsuit.

In addition to the driver being held liable for driving while drunk, the business or party host that served the alcohol may also be at fault for providing the alcohol.

Texas is one of many states that has what is called a “dram shop law.” The Texas Dram Shop Law holds restaurants, bars, and other establishments that serve alcohol accountable if they sell alcohol to someone who is obviously drunk and that person later injures or kills someone in a drunk driving accident. Similarly, Texas homeowners can be held liable for drunk driving injuries if they provide alcohol to minors under the Texas Social Host Law. Texas homeowners can also be held liable for serving guests and serving minor children on their premises.

Because every drunk driving case is different, it is a good idea to consult with a drunk driving accident lawyer to help you learn about your legal rights and hold all of the parties that may have contributed to the driver’s intoxication accountable for their actions (or inactions).

A drunk driving accident lawyer is experienced at investigating these types of cases and helping to identify the individuals who contributed to the driver’s intoxication. Your lawyer can help you take legal action against them to hold them accountable and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident in Texas?

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, you are entitled to seek compensation by filing a drunk driving lawsuit. A drunk driving accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and prepare a compelling case to help you recover the losses you suffered.

If your loved one was killed in a Texas drunk driving accident, Michael Anthony Emma at The Emma Law Firm will offer compassionate legal assistance to help you potentially compensate for the financial and emotional losses you’ve experienced.

The Emma Law Firm is a Texas law firm that represents victims of drunk driving accidents. Mr. Emma understands the tragedy caused by drunk driving accidents and will fight to hold drivers who drink and drive accountable for the damage caused by their actions.

Contact him today and learn about the steps you can take to hold drunk drivers accountable for their poor choices.

The Emma Law Firm offers a FREE consultation in this type of legal matter. Fill out the form below for more information.