While it may not be irresponsible for an individual to have a couple of beers or alcoholic drinks with friends, it is undoubtedly irresponsible for the same individual to get behind the wheel while drunk. Unfortunately, many people believe they can still drive safely while tipsy. However, contrary to this belief, operating a vehicle under the influence of any amount of alcohol is dangerous.
Drunk drivers not only pose a risk to themselves but also to Baytown residents. In a split second, an accident caused by drunk driving can permanently alter your life. Every year in the United States, millions of dollars are spent on seeking treatment for injuries sustained in these accidents. Unfortunately, not all victims of drunk driving accidents can meet the financial demands that follow. Fortunately, Baytown has strict laws in place to protect the interests and rights of victims of drunk driving crashes. According to a report from the NHTSA, 31% of fatalities recorded every year in auto wrecks involve drunk driving.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, it is highly likely that you will need the legal services of an experienced Baytown drunk driving accident lawyer. According to statistics, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident every hour, and even more people are seriously injured by drunk drivers. These trends are concerning, and it is important that you understand how to protect yourself in case you are involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney to learn more about your legal protections after a severe collision.
In Baytown, a driver can be arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is above 0.08%. Even if the BAC is below this limit, the driver’s judgment and vision can still be significantly impaired. Therefore, you should not give up on your legal rights simply because the at-fault party’s BAC was below 0.08%. An experienced accident lawyer knows how to prove liability in drunk driving cases.
Depending on the accident in which you were injured, the following types of evidence can be used to establish that the driver who caused you harm was intoxicated at the time of the crash:
If there is suspicion that the driver who hit you is intoxicated, the police will administer blood and breath tests to determine alcohol content. These tests often involve the driver blowing air into devices such as Alcoblow breathalyzers, which indicate the level of alcohol content. The results from these tests serve as strong evidence when filing a compensation claim.
In many cases, passengers, bystanders, and other drivers can provide valuable evidence and testimony regarding how the accident occurred. Eyewitnesses, in particular, are crucial in personal injury cases since they have no vested interest in the outcome of your case. If they saw the driver who hit you consuming alcohol in a bar, your drunk driving accident attorney can use their statements to prove liability during negotiations or if your case goes to trial. It is important to record the contact information of witnesses before leaving the scene of your accident.
Police reports are always essential in personal injury cases. After a crash, accident victims are required to immediately contact 911. Police officers will be dispatched to help evacuate victims, clear the scene, and, most importantly, investigate the events leading to the accident. The final police report can provide compelling evidence to prove that the defendant was negligent at the time of the accident. Police testimonials also carry significant weight with the judge presiding over your case.
Often, officers dispatched to the accident scene will administer field sobriety tests. During these tests, the driver is asked to perform certain tasks while the investigating officer notes down the results in their report. Such tests can be used to determine the driver’s level of impairment due to intoxication. In some cases, a police officer may determine a driver’s intoxication based solely on these field sobriety tests.
If you are unsure of what to do after experiencing harm in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, contacting an attorney should be one of your top priorities. Our experienced Baytown drunk driving lawyers will vigorously advocate for your rights and ensure that you receive compensation for your losses. To find out more about drunk driving accident lawsuits, please reach out to our Lone Star Injury Attorneys offices today for a free consultation..
