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Drunk Driving Accidents

Man drinking beer while driving his car. If you've been injured by a drunk driver, our Houston accident lawyers are ready to fight for you.

Hit by a Drunk Driver in Texas? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you were hurt in a crash caused by an intoxicated driver, you are not alone—and you may have the right to seek financial recovery. Every year, thousands of people in Texas suffer serious injuries or lose their lives due to alcohol-related accidents. These tragic incidents are preventable and often involve reckless behavior.

Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim. That means it’s crucial to speak with a Houston car accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident

In the moments following a crash, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are key steps to take that can help protect your health and strengthen your case:

  • Check for injuries. If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911. Don’t attempt to move if you’re in pain or suspect a head, neck, or spinal injury.

  • Call the police. A police report and blood alcohol test are essential for proving intoxication and building a case.

  • Document the scene. If you’re able, take photos, get contact information from witnesses, and record what happened.

  • Get medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms can worsen later.

  • Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer. A legal professional can begin investigating right away, helping preserve evidence and build your case.

Common Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers

Blurry perspective of someone driving a car. Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyers defend those who've been hurt by drunk drivers.Drunk driving crashes often involve high speeds or a complete failure to brake, which leads to more severe injuries. Some of the most common include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Whether open or closed skull, TBIs can lead to permanent cognitive, physical, or emotional impairments.

  • Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can cause lifelong paralysis or limited mobility, affecting your ability to work or live independently.

  • Whiplash: This neck injury can cause chronic pain, headaches, and reduced range of motion.

  • Broken bones: Fractures from blunt impact may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.

  • Wrongful death: If a loved one was killed by a drunk driver, family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover for funeral costs, lost income, and emotional loss.

Can You Claim Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are intended to punish the offender for reckless or malicious behavior, such as driving drunk. These are only available if your case goes to court. Your attorney may pursue punitive damages by showing the driver should have known they posed a serious risk to others.

Understanding Dram Shop Liability in Texas

In Texas, you may be able to hold a business responsible for a drunk driving accident under dram shop liability laws. These laws apply when a bar, restaurant, or liquor store overserves alcohol to someone who is clearly intoxicated and that person then causes harm.

To bring a dram shop claim, you must show:

  • The at-fault driver was visibly intoxicated at the time they were served.

  • Their intoxication directly contributed to the accident.

Establishments that serve alcohol have a duty to stop serving patrons who are obviously impaired. This isn’t just about slurred speech or stumbling—sometimes, serving more than a certain number of drinks can count as obvious intoxication under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission guidelines.

If it can be proven that a business served alcohol recklessly, it may be held partially or fully liable for the injuries caused.

What is the Safe Harbor Defense to Dram Shop Liability?

There are certain measures that can be implemented by a venue that serves alcohol in order to help them reduce their liability. The main specialized defense that they may use to do this is called the Safe Harbor Defense.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission created a special 2-hour training course that dram shops may give to their employees. This training is not compulsory and a bartender does not have to receive it in Texas to serve alcohol, but if dram shops want to use the Safe Harbor Defense, they must be able to prove they gave the training.

As well as proving the bartender that served the patron has received this training they can not have been found to have coerced the bartender into serving the intoxicated person.

For more on the Texas Dram Shop Act and the Safer Harbor Defense, refer to 106.14 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.

Skilled Representation for Drunk Driving Accident Victims

Our Houston drunk driving accident lawyers handle a wide variety of claims involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We work closely with medical experts and accident reconstructionists to fully investigate your case to determine the monetary compensation you will need to make as close to a full recovery as possible.

Pursuing compensation after a drunk driving accident can involve multiple legal strategies, including:

  • Holding the drunk driver accountable.

  • Filing a claim against the driver’s insurance provider.

  • Investigating the role of an alcohol-serving business under dram shop laws.

An experienced accident attorney will work with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and investigators to build a solid case. They can also help preserve crucial evidence like surveillance footage or witness testimony before it’s lost.

Why Choose Legal Support Early?

Two cars in a night time accident.Getting a legal team involved early gives you a better shot at protecting your rights and maximizing your compensation. Your attorney can:

  • Gather police reports and BAC test results.

  • Identify all liable parties.

  • Negotiate with insurers or take your case to trial if needed.

  • Guide you through medical care, lost wage documentation, and other logistics.

Time is critical in these cases. Evidence fades, memories change, and surveillance videos get erased. The sooner you act, the stronger your case can be.

Get the Help You Need from Our Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

AW legal team.Whether you were injured in an auto accident, truck accident or motorcycle accident, there is no excuse for the negligence of drunk drivers. We will work diligently to make sure they are held accountable for the damage and injuries they have caused.

If you have been hit by a drunk driver, call 713-222-7211 (toll-free 713-222-7211 ) or contact a drunk driving accident attorney online to arrange a free case evaluation with a dedicated personal injury attorney.

We represent clients for dram shop and drunk driving injury cases in many Texas communities, including Cypress, Pasadena, Spring, Rosenberg, Sienna Plantation, Galena Park, Cloverleaf, South Houston, Deer Park, Rosharon, Texas City, League City, Tomball, Pearland, Kingwood, Fulshear, Magnolia, Prairie View, Missouri City, Richmond, Humble, Manvel, Alvin, Baytown, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cinco Ranch, and many other areas.

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