Being hit by a drunk driver is a terrifying experience that can wreck your vehicle and leave you with severe injuries. You may need to take time from work to heal, leaving you worried about how to pay your regular bills on top of mounting medical bills. Dealing with the details while you are in pain can be confusing and exhausting.
At Dax F. Garza P.C., our experienced Houston drunk driving accident attorneys believe that no one should have to go through the pain and suffering of being hit by a drunk driver by themselves. By working with our Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyers , you can get the help you need to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our law office and schedule a free case evaluation with a qualified Houston personal injury lawyer and get started today.
Why Drunk Driving Injuries Are Often More Devastating Than Regular Car Accidents
If you are lucky, you may end up with only minor injuries that heal quickly. In many DUI accidents, however, accident victims suffer debilitating harm because the drunk driver failed to slow down or react in time. You or your loved one may end up with permanent disability, blindness, amputated limbs, brain damage, and other conditions that dramatically alter your future.
You could require round-the-clock medical care for the rest of your life and be unable to work, putting your family at risk of financial loss due to lost wages. You may struggle with emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making you unable to drive again. These conditions may affect your ability to stay employed and maintain personal relationships with family members.
Injuries sustained in a DUI accident can be severe and leave you with significant pain for days, weeks, and months afterward. Some injuries may require lifelong medical care or medical treatment to allow accident victims to live a normal life.
Common injuries suffered after being hit by an intoxicated driver include:
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cuts, lacerations, and bruises
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones or fractures
- Severe neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Burns
- Facial and head injuries
- Loss of limb or amputation
Some injuries are immediately obvious, and medical first responders will treat you at the accident scene.
However, some “silent” injuries are harder to recognize until hours or days after you are home, so it is vital to see your physician for a full examination right away after a vehicle accident.
Not only does this protect your health, but it can ensure you have records of your injuries directly linked to the intoxicated driver’s negligent actions for your personal injury case.
Those who are to blame must be held accountable for such losses. When you work with a personal injury lawyer who is dedicated to your cause, you can ensure that you have the resources you need to face your future comfortably. Your attorney will research every avenue for fair compensation from all at-fault parties on your behalf.
The Devastating Truth: Drunk Driving Is Soberingly Common in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), over 25% of vehicle traffic deaths in 2024 were caused by drunk driving, for a total of 1,053 fatalities. Those lives were needlessly lost because of a driver’s bad decisions and choice to break the law.
Every skill needed to drive safely is negatively impacted by alcohol’s dulling of the senses.
Driving while impaired by alcohol is one of the most dangerous choices a person can make. Every skill needed to drive safely is negatively impacted by alcohol’s dulling of the senses. Alcohol can slow reaction time and reflexes, impair judgment, blur vision, decrease motor function, and increase fatigue.
Under state law, a person is considered intoxicated and can be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if they have a .08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration). If a motorist is driving while impaired by the influence of alcohol, even if their BAC is not .08, they can also be considered intoxicated and can be arrested.
Because intoxicated drivers are not able to react to sudden changes on the road, the motor vehicle accidents they cause tend to involve devastating injuries or wrongful death. Drunk drivers will often be unable to stop or swerve to avoid hitting a car if traffic comes to a sudden stop ahead.
The speed of impact from a drunk driver who did not react or slow down in time will result in a more forceful collision and more severe injuries. Drunk drivers may even start driving on the wrong side of the road, leading to head-on impacts with deadly consequences. Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening conditions that need emergency medical treatment.
Why Criminal Punishment Doesn’t Help Drunk Driving Victims (And What Does)
If a driver is charged with drunk driving, they will face harsh penalties, according to the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force. Drivers may face hefty fines, lose their driver’s license, and even go to jail. If the drunk driver had a minor in their vehicle at the time of the accident, they can also be charged with child endangerment.
Criminal charges do little to help victims who may be left with life-long injuries or the families of those who were killed by that driver.
A criminal case does nothing to help you as a victim, so you must work with a skilled car accident attorney to discuss your legal options.
You may be able to file injury claims with insurance, or you may need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to receive maximum compensation for your damages.
In a fender bender, you would likely be able to handle the insurance claim on your own and resolve things quickly. However, a car accident case involving DUI is more challenging, requiring skilled guidance from an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Our Houston car accident lawyers can provide a better chance of getting the results you want with less stress and worry on your shoulders. Your lawyer will investigate your case to determine who is to blame and calculate the full value of your claim, often relying on evidence.
Your attorney’s job is to negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement while also preparing your case for trial in the event you need to go to court for full compensation. They will file your case within the statute of limitations and represent you in all legal matters, seeking the best possible outcome while you concentrate on getting better.
Damages Most Houston Drunk Driving Victims Never Claim (But Should)
When your world stops after a drunk driving accident, you may struggle to keep up with what you have lost. By maintaining careful records, you can build a foundation for your claim when you are ready to seek compensation. Your personal injury attorney can also help you determine what your car accident case is worth, identifying damages you might have overlooked, such as:
- All medical costs, including prescription medications, surgeries, and ICU fees
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Travel expenses for treatment
- Lost wages, bonuses, retirement savings, and insurance coverage
- Repair or replacement costs for clothing, cell phones, and other personal property
- Lost earning potential if you are permanently disabled
Most insurance policies will cover economic losses like these, but you may also have substantial non-economic damages. These may include mental anguish, isolation from scarring and disfigurement, diminished quality of life, and mood dysregulation.
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. To secure compensation for these losses, your attorney may advise proceeding to trial for full financial recovery.
Why $30,000 Insurance Won’t Cover Your Houston Drunk Driving Injuries
Under Texas law, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance that pays for any medical expenses and property damage incurred by victims in a crash. Texas is an at-fault state, meaning that those who cause the accident must pay damages to the people they hurt.
The process seems simple, but insurance companies often push back against paying the full value of what you need, and may take advantage of you if you do not know what you should claim.
Since the minimum required liability coverage is only $30,000 for bodily injury to one person ($60,000 for all those involved in a single accident) and $25,000 in property damage, these limits may not cover all expenses.
Healthcare costs continue to rise in the US, and serious injuries could require a lengthy recovery period, plus ongoing treatment for months afterward. Securing full compensation may mean you need to go to trial, especially if the insurance company does not meet your demands.
Insurance providers are often looking for reasons to minimize or deny your settlement offer, which is why you can benefit from hiring a lawyer with strong negotiation skills and an impressive track record. They can help you avoid jeopardizing your claim and demonstrate to the insurance company that you are serious. They will help you know when to accept an offer and when to push for more.
The Hidden Third Parties Who Could Be Liable After a Drunk Driving Crash
In most cases, the driver who chose to drink and drive is the primary liable party in a drunk driving case. However, thanks to Texas dram shop laws, your attorney may find that other individuals or establishments can be held brought to justice if they served an obviously intoxicated person or someone who was underage.
Key factors are that the parties in question hold a license to serve alcohol and that they should have recognized the person was visibly intoxicated at the time of service. The law also requires that the evidence shows that the drunk driver’s impairment directly contributed to the harm you suffered in the crash. When your auto accident attorney can demonstrate those elements, they can file a claim against the people or establishment at fault.
Social Hosts May Also Be Held Liable
Although less common, it is possible to hold social hosts accountable if their guests go on to injure someone in a drunk driving crash after leaving a party or event. Just as for public establishments, your lawyer must show that the host knew the driver was impaired when they served the alcohol, and the driver’s impairment must have been a contributing factor.
In most instances, social host liability plays a part when a host serves alcohol to an underage person who then causes an accident. Demonstrating negligence against the host can be very complicated, so it is often critical to discuss this situation thoroughly with your attorney, who can help you determine if you have a strong enough case to proceed.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Drunk Driving Attorney?
Many people worry about paying for a lawyer and adding to their bills, but you may be surprised to learn that there are no upfront costs. Attorney Dax Garza proudly offers free initial case reviews, so you can learn about your legal options before you decide. Once we accept your case, we offer a contingency fee payment structure to make it easier for you.
This structure means you do not pay us until we win a settlement for you. If we do not win, you owe us nothing. This approach gives you the confidence you need to take action and work with us.
Arrange a Free Case Review With a Top-Notch Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Now
Getting into a car accident with a drunk driver can turn your world upside down and leave you wondering what to do next. By hiring an attorney who is well-versed in drunk driving cases, you can have peace of mind while being guided through the legal process safely.
Residents of Harris County have a lot of road to cover, but no one should fear daily life on the road because of drunk drivers. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Don’t let a truck accident or other serious collision go unaddressed.
Check out our testimonials to see how our law firm has helped other clients achieve successful outcomes. Contact the Houston car accident attorneys at Dax F. Garza, P.C. to learn more and schedule a free consultation today.
