While it may not be an act of irresponsibility for an individual to have a couple of beers or alcoholic drinks with friends, it is without a doubt irresponsible for the same individual to get behind the wheel while drunk. Sadly, many people believe that they can still drive safely while tipsy. But contrary to this belief, operating a vehicle while under the influence of any amount of alcohol is dangerous.
Drunk drivers pose a risk not only to themselves but also to Baytown residents as well. In a split second, an accident resulting from drunk driving can change your life forever. Millions of dollars are spent seeking treatment for injuries suffered in these accidents every year in the United States. Unfortunately, not all drunk driving accident victims can meet the financial demands that follow. Luckily, Baytown has strict laws protecting the interests and rights of victims of drunk driving crashes.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, you will most likely require the legal services of an experienced Baytown drunk driving accident lawyer. According to statistics, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident every hour. Even more often, someone is seriously injured by a drunk driver. These trends are worrying, and it’s important that you understand how to protect yourself in case you are involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Get in touch with 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 Influence (DUI) if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is above 0.08%. Even if the BAC is below this limit, the driver’s sense of judgment and vision may also be greatly affected. Therefore, you don’t have to give up on your legal rights just because the party at fault’s BAC was below 0.08%. A skilled accident lawyer knows how to prove liability in drunk driving cases.
Depending on the accident where 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 it’s suspected that the driver who hit you is intoxicated, the police will administer blood and breathe tests to that effect. Normally, such drivers are compelled to blow air into devices such as Alcoblow breathalyzers, which indicate the level of alcohol content. Results from such tests are strong evidence when filing a compensation claim.
In most cases, passengers, bystanders and other drivers can provide valuable evidence and testimony on how the accident occurred. Eye-witnesses, to be precise, are very crucial in any personal injury case since they have no existing stake 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 them to prove liability during negotiations or when your case proceeds to trial. Given the importance of eyewitnesses in your case, you should remember to record witnesses’ contact information before leaving the scene of your accident.
Police reports are always very important in personal injury cases. After a crash, accident victims are required to contact 911 immediately. Police officers will be sent to help evacuate victims, clear the scene, and most importantly, investigate the events leading to the accident. Their final report can provide compelling evidence to prove that the defendant was negligent at the time of the accident. Police testimonials are also very persuasive with the judge presiding over your case.
Often, the officers sent to the accident scene will administer a field sobriety test. Here, the driver will be requested to perform certain tasks while the investigating officer notes down the results in his or her report. Such tests can be used to determine the driver’s level of impairment in relation to their intoxication. A police officer may determine a driver’s intoxication from these field sobriety tests alone.
In case you are wondering what to do after suffering harm in an accident caused by an intoxicated motorist driver, contacting an attorney should be among your top priorities. Our experienced Baytown drunk driving lawyers will aggressively fight for your rights to ensure that you are compensated for your losses. To learn more about drunk driving accident lawsuits, contact our Lone Star Injury Attorneys offices today for a free consultation.
