Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The Houston drunk driving accident lawyer team at Reich & Binstock provides compassionate representation for drunk driving victims and their families. We understand the impact that such motor vehicle accidents have, often resulting in life-changing injuries physically, as well as psychological injuries for years to come. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost because of preventable car accidents, and our Houston DUI accident lawyer group works tirelessly to hold drunk drivers accountable for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Whether you suffered a drunk driving injury and are seeking compensation for medical bills and lost wages or a loved one was killed by a drunk driver, our Houston drunk driving accident attorneys have over thirty years of experience helping drunk driving accident victims and have a proven track record of helping clients get the maximum compensation they deserve.
We understand that no amount of compensation replaces lost loved ones, but ensuring responsible parties are held liable may bring a sense of justice for families.
Call (713) 622-7271 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Houston drunk driving accident lawyer from our law firm today.
Can You Sue a Drunk Driver in Texas?
If you suffer injuries caused by a drunk driver, you are entitled to sue the drunk driver for the damages caused by their intoxication.
Our Houston drunk driving accident attorney team helps car accident victims file civil lawsuits to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Texas Drinking and Driving Laws
Driving under the influence can lead to criminal charges if there is enough alcohol or drugs in the driver’s system.
Under Texas drinking and driving laws, criminal cases apply when a driver operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Additionally, intoxicated drivers may face criminal charges if their intoxication impairs their ability to drive, even if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the driver’s system doesn’t meet the BAC threshold of 0.08%.
Drunk driving convictions will lead to severe legal consequences. The first criminal case is generally charged as a misdemeanor offense, but if the impaired driver causes serious injuries, the criminal charge escalates to intoxication assault, a felony criminal charge punishable by up to 10 years of jail time and a $10,000 fine. When drunk driving crashes result in motor vehicle traffic deaths, criminal charges become intoxication manslaughter.
Police officers rely on field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, and witness statements for proof. Drunk drivers face enhanced penalties if they were also under the influence of marijuana or when children are involved.
While criminal cases focus on penalties for drunk driving convictions and protecting traffic safety, drunk driving accident victims may file civil lawsuits in civil court to recover damages.
Claims in civil court differ from criminal cases. Here, victims are entitled to seek the full extent of recovery, especially in cases involving wrongful death or catastrophic injuries caused by intoxicated drivers. These claims can address pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and other harm not handled through criminal cases.
Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyers help victims navigate the civil side of the justice system. To understand your legal options, schedule a free case review today.
Texas Dram Shop Act
Under Texas Dram Shop liability, alcohol-serving establishments, like bars and restaurants, may be held liable for serving alcohol to intoxicated drivers who later drive under the influence and cause drunk driving accidents.
Dram Shop laws apply when an experienced Houston DUI injury lawyer proves the bar or restaurant knowingly offered alcohol services to the intoxicated person.
Here, commercial establishments are targets of drunk driving accident lawsuits in addition to the drunk driver. Success in Dram Shop liability claims requires gathering evidence, including witness statements, police reports, and proof of illegal BAC in the driver’s system.
A Houston drunk driving accident lawyer can prove negligence, determine responsible parties, and work to recover compensation through civil court. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one, contact our law firm for a free case review.
Social Host Liability
In the state of Texas, social host liability laws apply when minors are served alcohol. When adults provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21, and the person is arrested or causes a drunk driving accident, the host is liable for the drunk driving injuries and damages caused by their irresponsible actions. These cases involve proving negligence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and field sobriety test results to prove negligence.
Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyer team provides the representation needed to assist drunk driving victims in recovering compensation from all responsible parties.
Underage Drinking and Driving Accident
A person injured in an underage drinking and driving accident can pursue a claim in civil court to seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
Since teens don’t have the resources to cover losses, civil cases typically target additional liable parties, such as parents, guardians, or insurance companies. Additionally, when parents contribute to a child’s underage driving, they can face legal consequences.
The other driver’s insurance company may cover the full extent of the damages. When motor vehicle accidents involve traffic fatalities, families can recover damages through wrongful death claims.
Our Houston DUI accident lawyer group assists in determining liability, gathering evidence, and seeking the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Happens If You Are a Passenger Of a Drunk Driver in Texas?
In this state, passengers injured in drunk driving accidents have the right to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the motor vehicle accident. The money is typically paid by the other driver’s insurance company, not the driver personally.
When passengers suffer serious injuries, they may also seek punitive damages if the drunk driver operated the vehicle with gross negligence.
The state follows modified comparative fault laws. So, when passengers knowingly ride with drunk drivers behind the wheel, the amount of money they receive may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyers help collect evidence from the accident scene and consult with investigating police officers to build strong cases on behalf of injured passengers.
Common Cases Our Houston DUI Accident Lawyer Team Handles
Our experienced Houston drunk driving accident lawyers have the knowledge and resources to fight for justice. Our Houston car accident attorney team works to ensure insurance companies don’t pressure clients to settle for less they they deserve.
Hit and Run Drunk Driving Crashes
Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyer team handles drunk driving crashes involving hit-and-run drivers, including those resulting from another driver’s impaired driving. In these cases, individuals may still pursue a personal injury lawsuit even if the drunk driver fled the scene to avoid legal consequences. Compensation may come from the at-fault person’s insurance company once the other driver is identified, or their own insurance company, depending on the circumstances and coverage. Our Houston DUI injury lawyers offer the guidance needed to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage on behalf of clients.
If you need help identifying the other driver through a private investigation, speak with a Houston hit and run accident lawyer to discuss the drunk driving accident and understand your legal options.
Drunk Driver Hits Motorcycle
A drunk driving accident lawyer in Houston represents clients hurt in motorcycle crashes involving drunk drivers. Motorcycle-related drunk driving crashes often lead to soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term physical pain and suffering, resulting in medical bills for immediate and ongoing medical attention. Our Houston DUI injury lawyers work to hold intoxicated drivers responsible using decades of experience in aggressive negotiations with insurance companies. When impaired driving is proven, claims are filed with the liable party’s insurance company. The Houston motorcycle crash lawyer team at our law firm thoroughly investigates fault, evaluates liability, and determines whether the injured rider is eligible for recovery.
Drunk Truck Driver Accident
Our Houston DUI injury lawyer team handles drunk driving accidents involving commercial drivers operating trucks while impaired. Truck crashes lead to severe physical drunk driving injuries and psychological injuries. Those hurt may file personal injury lawsuits to recover compensation for damages related to the crash. A Houston semi truck accident lawyer from our law firm will conduct a private investigation to prove negligence. Our law firm is prepared to take cases to trial to fight for fair settlements or jury awards.
Person Killed By Drunk Driver
Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyers assist families whose loved ones are killed in fatal crashes resulting from drunk drivers’ negligent actions. Damages can include prior medical expenses, loss of companionship and support, and other damages. The Houston wrongful death lawyer group at our law firm offers compassionate representation and works to recover punitive damages to punish the drunk driver for gross negligence, seeking the maximum amount of recovery allowed under Texas law.
How Our Houston DUI Accident Attorney Group Helps Car Accident Victims
Dealing with the aftermath of a drunk driving car accident is overwhelming for individuals. Facing insurance companies without legal guidance often means people with severe personal injuries don’t get the compensation they deserve, or have to wait for months or even years to recover compensation, making life extremely difficult.
File a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit or Dram Shop Liability Claim
A Houston insurance lawyer assists through challenging times, fighting to recover compensation that considers the details and consequences of each specific case. Contact our law firm for a free consultation to discuss what happened.
Houston Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Locals injured in drunk driving accidents rely on the Houston DUI accident attorneys at Reich & Binstock. Our law firm understands the consequences clients often suffer because of their circumstances. Whether you need support from being out of a job or are dealing with the burden of losing a child, mother, or father, drunk driving is illegal, and Houston drunk driving accident lawyer can assist in holding the drunk driver accountable for their negligent and irresponsible actions, fighting to secure the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
Let us help you take the first step toward justice and recovery. Call (713) 622-7271 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
There is never a fee unless we recover on your behalf.
Additionally, clients are not obligated to pay expenses if a recovery is not made.
