Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

The Rise of Drunk Driving Accidents in Dallas

Despite efforts to reduce impaired driving through public awareness campaigns and severe legal penalties, alcohol-related accidents in Dallas, Texas, continue to occur at alarming rates. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Dallas sees thousands of alcohol-related crashes each year, often resulting in devastating injuries and fatalities.

In 2021, Dallas County reported over 1,500 drunk driving crashes, leading to hundreds of serious injuries and tragic loss of life. Drunk drivers not only endanger themselves but also pose a serious threat to every motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian on the road.

Drunk Driving Accidents & BAC Impairment Levels

Drunk driving accidents typically happen because alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can slow reaction times and cloud judgment. According to Alcohol.org, different blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels affect drivers in distinct ways:

• From .02 to .05 %: Relaxation and minor coordination issues begin, affecting focus.
• At .08 %: The legal limit in Texas; at this stage, balance, coordination, and reaction times are noticeably impaired. 
• .10 % and above: Muscle control deteriorates, leading to significant coordination problems, making driving extremely dangerous.

These impairments lead to reckless driving behaviors like speeding, swerving between lanes, and even wrong-way driving.

Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can cause severe injuries, many of which require long-term medical care. Some common injuries include:

• Broken bones: The force of a drunk driving crash can easily cause fractures, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, or face, leaving victims with painful injuries that require extensive treatment.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A violent collision can lead to head trauma, including concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can result in long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact of a drunk driving crash can cause damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or full paralysis and requiring lifelong care and rehabilitation.
• Internal Organ Damage: High-speed collisions often result in internal injuries, such as damage to the liver, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries can be life-threatening and may require emergency surgery.
• Severe Lacerations: Broken glass, metal, and other debris can cause deep cuts and lacerations, leading to significant blood loss, scarring, and possible infections.
• Burns: In more extreme cases, vehicle fires may occur after a collision, leading to severe burns that require long-term treatment and skin grafts.
• Whiplash: The sudden force of impact often results in neck injuries like whiplash, causing pain and reduced mobility that can last for weeks or even longer.
• Fatal Injuries (Wrongful Death): Tragically, drunk driving accidents often lead to fatalities, leaving families devastated and pursuing wrongful death claims to seek justice and compensation for their immeasurable loss.

Regardless of your injuries, our team will tirelessly work to recover compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What to Do After a Dallas Drunk Driving Accident

If you’re injured in a drunk driving accident, it’s essential to take the following steps to protect your legal rights:

• Call the police and report the accident. A police report will document the driver’s intoxication and the circumstances of the crash, which is vital evidence for your claim.
• Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, injuries, and road conditions. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses.
• Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, getting checked out by a doctor is crucial. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not be immediately apparent.
• Speak with a personal injury attorney: Before accepting any offers from insurance companies, consult with a Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but an experienced attorney will ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Dallas Drunk Driving Lawsuits & Compensation

If a drunk driver has injured you, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Texas law holds drunk drivers accountable under the legal concept of negligence, which means you can pursue a claim if you can prove that the other driver’s impairment caused the accident.

To win a drunk driving accident case, you’ll need to show:

• The other driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely.
• The driver breached that duty by driving while intoxicated.
• Their impaired driving directly caused the accident.
• You suffered injuries or losses because of the crash.

While the fact that the driver was impaired might seem like clear evidence of negligence, insurance companies often try to minimize claims, challenging the extent of your injuries or attempting to shift some of the blame to you. That’s why having an experienced drunk-driving accident lawyer on your side is critical to fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Makes Drunk Driving Accidents Different?

While all car accident claims involve investigating liability and calculating damages, drunk driving cases present unique legal challenges. Drunk driving accident victims in Texas may be entitled to additional compensation because the law allows for punitive damages in cases involving reckless behavior like drunk driving. Punitive damages are designed to punish the driver and deter similar actions in the future.

In addition, Texas Dram Shop laws may allow victims to pursue claims against establishments that overserved the intoxicated driver. This can add complexity to your case but also opens additional avenues for compensation.

At The Law Giant, we know how to navigate these complexities. We will aggressively pursue every possible compensation source to ensure you’re made whole again.

Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident

Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to several types of damages, including:

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover financial losses caused by the accident. These include medical bills, lost wages, future earning potential, and property damage.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for more intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages recognize the emotional toll of a severe injury or wrongful death.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be awarded in drunk driving cases to punish the at-fault driver for their reckless behavior. This is in addition to compensation for your financial losses and suffering.

How a Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

Handling a drunk driving accident claim is complex, but our team at The Law Giant can make the process easier. We will:

• Investigate the accident to gather all necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records.
• Determine liability, including exploring potential Dram Shop claims.
• Handle all negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you get a fair settlement.
• Calculate the full extent of your losses, including future medical expenses and lost earning potential.
• File a lawsuit if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.

Hurt in a Dallas Drunk Driving Accident? The Law Giant Wins Big

A drunk driving accident can leave you overwhelmed, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The Law Giant Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers are here to help you hold the responsible parties accountable and recover the compensation you need to move forward.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay only if we win your case. Contact us today at (469) 759-1323 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation and begin your path to recovery.