Austin TX Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drinking and driving is a serious problem in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, one person dies in an alcohol-related traffic accident every eight hours and 31 minutes. In 2020, 1,029 people were killed and 2,522 seriously injured because someone operated their vehicle while impaired. More recently, TxDOT reported that 2021 was the second deadliest year on Texas roads, with 4,480 deaths.

Although dire, these statistics don’t tell the whole story. Drunk driving crashes can inflict devastating injuries that change your life completely. You may need medical treatment for the rest of your life, be unable to work, and be forced to live with constant pain. If this happens to you or someone you love, you deserve justice.

At the Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, we represent car accident victims in Austin, Texas, and throughout Travis County. We also support grieving families struggling with the aftermath of losing a loved one to a drunk driver. An Austin car accident attorney at our firm can meet with you, review your case, and discuss a way to get the monetary compensation you need to rebuild your life. We offer a free initial consultation, so please reach out. 

Why Should I Hire A Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Austin TX?

When you’ve sustained serious injuries, you want to ensure that you get the money you need to cover your current damages, like medical bills and lost wages, and any future losses like ongoing treatment, reduced earning ability, and loss of quality of life. 

Unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t always willing to offer a fair settlement for your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your case, collect evidence, file a claim before the two-year statute of limitations is up, and negotiate with the insurance provider for full and fair compensation. While you heal, your lawyer can handle all the legal aspects of your claim against the responsible party or parties.

We Get Results for Drunk Driving Accident Victims

• We focus exclusively on personal injury cases. We know the laws that apply to your car accident case and what compensation you are entitled to.
• We have a 99% success rate and have obtained millions of dollars for injured clients.
• The vast majority of cases settle but in the vent that your case does go to trial, we are prepared to get maximum compensation for you.
• You owe us nothing unless we win your case.

The personal injury lawyers at the Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS understand that being involved in a drunk driving collision can be devastating for victims and their families. We use our knowledge and trial experience to maximize your chances of recovering compensation in a car accident claim or wrongful death claim.

Texas Drunk Driving Laws

Texas law defines driving while intoxicated (DWI) as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. A driver’s BAC is typically determined by blood, breath, or urine tests conducted by police immediately after an arrest and/or collision. In some cases, they may be found guilty of DWI even if their blood alcohol content is lower than 0.08, particularly if: 

• The substances in their system cause them to lose normal mental or physical function.
• They are under 21 and driving on a public highway after consuming any amount of alcohol.

There are several signs that a driver is impaired:

• The smell of alcohol on their breath
• Glassy or bloodshot eyes and slurred speech
• Erratic or reckless driving. This includes going at excessive speeds, ignoring traffic laws and signs, and drifting across lanes.

You can protect your right to compensation by hiring a drunk driving accident attorney immediately after you have been injured. An experienced lawyer from Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, can work with the police to obtain a copy of the accident report and information about the driver’s criminal case, which can support your injury claim.

Common Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Every year, drunk driving accounts for almost one-third of all traffic-related fatalities in the U.S. Those who survive accidents involving drunk drivers often suffer catastrophic injuries that include:

• Broken bones
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Wrongful death

What Damages Are Available To Drunk Driving Crash Victims?

Every car accident case is different, and so are the damages available. Our accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your accident and consult with experts to determine what your recovery should be, but most legal claims include:

• Medical expenses incurred due to the accident
• Reasonable future medical costs
• Loss of income if you can’t work while recovering
• Reduced or lost earning ability if you are left disabled
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of companionship

Damages of this type are known as compensatory damages. They are designed to make you ‘whole’ after being injured by someone else. In an impaired driving accident case, you may also seek punitive, or exemplary, damages. These damages are intended to punish the driver for gross negligence and to deter future misconduct.

What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, your well-being is your top priority. Call 911 immediately to report the auto accident and request an ambulance if you have visible injuries. If you don’t, make plans to go to the emergency room or see your doctor as soon as possible afterward to ensure that you don’t have any hidden physical injuries that haven’t shown symptoms yet. Once you’ve made the call, take the following steps:

• If the driver remained at the crash scene, get their contact information and insurance provider details. If they didn’t, take note of the make and model of their vehicle and, ideally, their license plate.
• Take pictures of the accident scene. Include both vehicles, any skid marks or road debris, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident, such as hazardous road conditions.
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
• When the police arrive and make a crash report, request a copy. This document will include the name of the investigating officers.
• Contact a lawyer before talking with any insurance adjusters. Once you have legal representation, your lawyer can file your claim, deal with the insurance company on your behalf, and help ensure that you get the settlement or verdict you need to rebuild your life.

Who Can I Sue in a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you have been injured by an intoxicated driver, you should seek compensation from that driver for your losses. In some cases, however, there may be other parties responsible for your injuries. They include but may not be limited to: 

• The Business That Sold Alcohol to the Driver: The Texas Dram Shop Act allows you to sue any business that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated customer who, in turn, caused a serious or fatal accident.
• A Social Host: If a person throws a party and serves alcohol to an unrelated minor who later causes an accident, they may be held liable for your injuries.
• The Driver’s Employer: Employers in Texas may be sued for any harm their employees cause while acting within the scope of their employment. Therefore, if you are injured by a drunk driver while he or she is making a delivery, the employer may be held liable.

At Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, an Austin drunk driving lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case to see whether any party besides the negligent driver should be held accountable for your accident.

What is the Average Settlement Amount for Drunk Driving Accidents in Austin, TX?

Every drunk driving accident case is different. The size of your settlement will mainly depend on the severity of your injuries and their projected impact on your future. For example, if you are a 29-year-old left permanently disabled by a drunk driving crash, you will typically receive a higher settlement than a 65-year-old retiree with similar injuries. This is because your damages will include all those years of lost earning ability. 

Once you hire a  drunk driving accident lawyer in Austin TX, they will review all of your damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future treatment needs, assign a value to your auto accident claim, and negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company for full compensation. While most cases settle, a small percentage of drunk driving accident claims go to trial, so it’s important to work with an experienced attorney who has a history of success in the courtroom. 

If you were to blame for the accident in any way, the Texas modified comparative negligence standard may also impact your settlement. It states that you can claim damages even if you were partially responsible for a motor vehicle accident, but your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your fault. Your auto accident lawyer will protect your rights by resisting all attempts by an insurer to unfairly blame you for the accident.

Speak to an Austin Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer About Your Case

At Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, we understand the physical and emotional suffering a drunk driving accident can inflict on victims and their families. The drunk driving accident lawyers at our law firm are experienced in helping injury victims navigate the legal process to obtain financial compensation. To request a free consultation with our legal team, call our offices at (512) 800-0000 or contact us online.