Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

If you’re facing serious injuries in due to another person’s or corporation’s negligence, recklessness, dangerous actions, car or truck accident, or faulty products, it’s crucial to get legal representation from Dunham & Jones, the Trusted Texas Personal Injury Attorneys. Dunham & Jones can help you recover compensation for medical costs, income losses, pain, suffering, and other damages through a meticulously crafted personal injury or wrongful death claim in Texas. Call 888-222-9746 now for your free injury case review and discuss your case in detail.

Drunk driving is a crime in all 50 states. Yet, every year, thousands of victims are injured and lose their lives in collisions involving intoxicated drivers. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 958 people died in accidents involving drunk driving in 2020 alone. This represented one-fourth of all victims killed in car accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, our drunk driving injury lawyers can help. At Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, we are dedicated to securing justice and fair compensation for victims of drunk driving accidents. Our experienced legal team will thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Contact Dunham & Jones to request a free case consultation today. Let us provide the support and legal experience you need during this challenging time, and help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

At Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law we handle criminal and personal injury cases. As one of the largest defense firms in the state we have lawyers with years of experience on both sides of the issue. This gives our firm a unique ability to help our clients in ways that other firms cannot. Whether you have been charged with drunk driving and are facing penalties including jail time or you have been the victim of this terrible crime we have the qualifications and experience to help you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

How Can a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Help You?

As a drunk driving accident survivor or a family member of an accident victim, you have enough to deal with. We believe that you should have the mental peace to focus on healing and moving forward rather than managing the legal process. Entrust the legal side of your case to a skilled and experienced legal professional. Here’s how our drunk driving accident attorneys can assist you:

• We can conduct a thorough investigation of the drunk driving accident, gathering all necessary evidence against the intoxicated driver.
• We can collect evidence including obtaining police reports, eyewitness statements, and any available video footage to build a strong case.
• We can negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
• We can connect you to top doctors and medical professionals for the best possible care and documentation of your injuries.
• We can hire experts, if necessary. These experts might include accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals, to support your case.
• We can represent you in your civil trial in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached, fighting for your rights and the compensation you deserve.

Your personal injury lawyer in Texas should be there for you every step of the way, ensuring that you can focus on your recovery while they handle the complexities of your legal case. Call Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law at 888-222-9746 to get the dedicated support and legal representation you need during this difficult time.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in Texas

Accidents involving drunk drivers are more common than most people realize. According to the latest data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were more than 18,400 alcohol-impaired collisions across the state in 2021. These incidents resulted in:

• Fatalities: 579 individuals lost their lives.
• Severe Injuries: 1,525 individuals sustained suspected severe injuries.
• Minor Injuries: More than 4,000 individuals sustained suspected minor injuries.
• Possible Injuries: More than 4,400 others sustained possible injuries as a result of these collisions.

Call Dunham & Jones at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with an injury attorney and learn how we can help you with your Drunk Driving Accident case. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.

Texas Drunk Driving Laws

In Texas, the law states that a driver is legally too intoxicated to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at or above 0.08 percent. However, you are breaking the law as soon as an intoxicating substance affects your driving, regardless of your BAC level. Texas is also a Zero Tolerance state for underage drivers; drivers under the age of 21 who register any BAC level are classified as drunk.

Criminal Penalties for DUI in Texas

• Mandatory Jail Time
• Substantial Fines
• Driver’s License Suspension
• Ignition Interlock Devices

Civil Penalties for Causing an Accident

If a drunk driver causes a car accident, they could also face civil penalties. For example, the driver will have to pay for the medical bills and property damage of all victims, typically using their auto insurance coverage. This can also include compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

Common Injuries in Texas DUI Crashes

DUI accidents can result in significant injuries for those involved. While many of the same types of injuries that occur in other vehicle accidents can also occur in DUI-related crashes, the nature of alcohol-impaired collisions often means that drivers were operating at higher speeds. This increases the likelihood of catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common DUI accident-related injuries in Texas include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Concussions
• Spinal Cord Trauma
• Severe Lacerations
• Amputations
• Crush Injuries
• Internal Organ Damage
• Internal Bleeding
• Broken or Dislocated Bones

In addition to these traumatic injuries, victims of DUI collisions are also likely to sustain various types of emotional and psychological trauma. A significant percentage of DUI crash victims suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, crash victims can experience feelings of sleeplessness, anxiety, fear, stress, and more as a result of these incidents. These physical and emotional symptoms must all be taken into account when working to adequately calculate compensation payable to DUI crash victims.

What if a Loved One Suffers Fatal Injuries in a DUI Crash?

As mentioned, individuals do lose their lives as a result of alcohol-impaired collisions throughout Texas each year. This can leave families grieving and facing significant financial loss. If family members lose a loved one due to the negligent actions of an impaired driver, they may be able to recover compensation by filing a civil wrongful death claim against the alleged impaired driver.

Under Texas law, family members can file wrongful death lawsuits if the deceased lost their life as a result of an injury caused by the at-fault party’s “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.” The right to file a wrongful death lawsuit falls to the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased, in that order. If these individuals fail to file a wrongful death claim within three months from the date of death, the personal representative, or executor, of the deceased’s estate is allowed to file the claim.

Who Is Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident in Texas?

If you or a loved one gets injured in a DUI accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation from one or multiple parties. While the drunk driver is often the primary party responsible, there could be third parties at fault for your accident as well. Common defendants include:

1. The Drunk Driver
   You can use a drunk driver’s insurance to pay for your losses as the victim of a DUI accident. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, you may be able to hold their employer vicariously liable for the accident.
2. A Dram Shop
   Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 2.02, a crash victim has the right to bring a lawsuit against an entity for providing, selling, or serving alcohol to an individual who was obviously intoxicated if that individual later causes a car accident. This is known as the state’s dram shop liability law.
3. A Social Host
   State law also holds a social host responsible for a drunk driving accident if they knowingly caused the intoxication of a minor under the age of 18, if that person is not the minor’s parent, guardian, or spouse.

Damages Available in a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Texas may be entitled to various types of compensation. When a personal injury attorney is involved, they will diligently work to recover both economic and non-economic compensation on behalf of their client. This compensation is calculated with the assistance of trusted medical and economic experts to ensure it accurately reflects the victim’s losses.

• Economic Damages revolve around the more calculable losses that drunk driving accident victims sustain. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Emergency Medical Bills
  • Follow-Up Medical Visits
  • Prescription Medications
  • Medical Devices, such as crutches, wheelchairs, etc.
  • Lost Wages
  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses
  • Property Damage Expenses
• Non-Economic Damages are more immeasurable and harder to calculate. These damages revolve around less calculable expenses, including the victim’s physical and emotional pain and suffering related to the incident. This can include:
  • Physical Pain and Suffering
  • Emotional Distress
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Calculating Non-Economic Damages

Attorneys often use a multiplier method to calculate non-economic damages. This involves adding up all economic damages related to the case and then multiplying that by a set number (usually ranging from 1.5 to 5) to arrive at a fair compensation amount.

Call Dunham & Jones today at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with a Texas Drunk Driving Accident lawyer. Drunk Driving Accident cases need an experienced injury law firm such as Dunham & Jones. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.

How a Texas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

DUI accident cases in Texas can be very challenging, particularly when it comes to determining liability. While it might seem straightforward, these cases are often complex. Even if the other individual is charged with DUI, this does not necessarily mean their liability is absolute. Here’s how an experienced Texas drunk driving accident attorney can assist:

• Investigation and Liability Determination
  • We can investigate the incident to determine the liability of the driver and any other involved parties. This includes gathering evidence, reviewing accident reports, and consulting with experts.
  • We can communicate with law enforcement officials and keep track of the criminal case against the impaired driver to gather any pertinent information.
• Navigating Legal Complexities
  • Sometimes, individuals are found not guilty of DUI, even if they were impaired at the time of the collision. However, even if a person is found not guilty of DUI, they can still be held liable for causing the accident. We can use various factors and evidence to establish liability, beyond just impairment.
• Collaboration with Experts
  • We can work with trusted medical experts to ensure the client receives proper treatment and to help evaluate the cost of medical care.
  • We can accurately calculate economic and non-economic losses to seek fair compensation.
• Comprehensive Support
  • We can gather all necessary evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and expert testimonies, to build a strong case.
  • We can handle all negotiations with insurance companies to ensure the client receives the compensation they deserve.
  • We can represent the client in court, presenting a compelling case to secure a favorable outcome.
• Securing Fair Compensation
  • Our goal is to ensure that our clients receive fair compensation for all losses, including:
    • Medical expenses
    • Lost wages
    • Property damage
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional distress

Contact Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law Today for Your FREE Injury Consultation

Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, are qualified and experienced drunk driving accident lawyers in Texas. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of past accident clients and are prepared to take your case to trial, if necessary. Request your free consultation today to learn more from an experienced DUI accident lawyer. We are dedicated to fighting for your rights and securing the best possible outcome for your case.