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Most people approach driving with the idea that other motorists are at least mostly responsible and competent. Unfortunately, some drivers don’t make responsible choices, creating risk for everyone else.
Drunk driving car accidents in Channelview can endanger you and your loved ones when another driver gets behind the wheel while impaired. With the help of a skilled car accident attorney, you can make a claim for damages based on injuries inflicted by a drunk driver.
Driving demands a baseline level of skill and attention, such as hand-eye coordination and the ability to react to external stimuli. A driver who is drunk, however, may not be able to drive safely.
Alcohol can negatively impact a driver’s reaction time, ability to stay awake and alert, and recognition of other vehicles and pedestrians. The injuries from a Channelview drunk driving accident are similar to injuries from any other car crash. At the same time, a drunk driver may be traveling at higher speeds and might be unable to swerve or slow down as a sober driver could. This means catastrophic harm is much more likely. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, ruptured internal organs, broken bones, paralysis, and severe lacerations could result.
Injuries from a drunk driving car accident can cost a victim both in immediate losses and long-term negative effects. An attorney can assist by preparing a claim for compensation based on those injuries and damages.
A personal injury claim based on a drunk driving accident will likely involve the negligence of the other driver—the unreasonable behavior that caused the wreck. Negligence claims require proof of certain elements (duty of care, breach of the duty, causation, and damages), though a drunk driving accident satisfies those elements more easily than other situations.
Every driver has a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws. Driving while intoxicated is a clear violation of that responsibility. If you’re injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you would need to show that their actions led to the crash, rather than some other intervening cause. You’d also need to demonstrate your legal damages, such as medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Beyond basic negligence claims, other Texas laws can affect your case. First, under Texas Code Section 16.003, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, or you could lose your right to seek compensation. Additionally, Texas follows a system of modified comparative negligence under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Section 33.012 and Section 33.001, which means that if you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation could be reduced or even denied altogether.
A Channelview lawyer can be crucial in handling drunk driving accident claims by gathering evidence and making sure your case is filed on time. They can also work to show that you were not at fault, helping you protect your right to recover damages.
A drunk driver may face criminal consequences for breaking the law, but that process does not look out for you and your injuries. By having a lawyer on your side, you can protect your future and pursue compensation to offset the costs of the wreck.
Our attorneys can bring claims based on drunk driving car accidents in Channelview and stand by your side throughout the legal process. Contact us today for a consultation.
Lone Star Injury Attorneys, PLLC
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