Fort Bend County Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving accidents are an everyday occurrence on Texas roadways. Even with numerous campaigns and laws to curb this growing menace, they continue to cause untold damage. Unsurprisingly, some of these car accidents are hit-and-run and often involve severe injuries and, sometimes, deaths. Like other personal injury victims, anyone who suffers harm due to the negligence of a drunk driver is eligible for compensation.

The Fort Bend County drunk driving accident lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys are committed to helping you get the justice you are entitled to. We believe, without an iota of doubt, that drunk driving has no place in our society. With the modernization in the transport industry, it’s easier to get an Uber home after a drinking spree rather than endangering the general public’s lives by getting behind the wheels while drunk. Hence, when an intoxicated driver chooses the latter and ends up causing an accident, they must be held responsible for their actions.

Intoxicated Driving Accidents Statistics in Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation reports that there were 963 drunk driving fatalities in 2020. This equates to about one death every nine hours. In the larger United States, at least 10,000 deaths are reported every year due to DUI accidents. These numbers are worrying. Unfortunately, these accidents are preventable, but for negligent individuals who act in disregard for Texas DUI laws.

Taking Legal Action After a Drinking and Driving Crash

If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be shocked, lost in thought, or wondering what to do. The steps you take immediately after the crash are crucial to the success of your claim. Therefore, you must understand that the ball is in your court, and what you choose to do can directly affect your injury case. The most important things you should do are:

  • Seek immediate medical evaluation
  • Remain at the scene if you can
  • Collect evidence from the crash site if possible
  • Take photos and videos of your injuries and property damage
  • Talk to eyewitnesses and record their testimonials
  • Collect contact and insurance information of the drivers involved
  • Notify your insurance company
  • Contact an attorney

These steps will prepare you in the event that a personal injury claim needs to be filed.  Perhaps the most critical step you should never miss is retaining a knowledgeable Fort Bend County drinking and driving collision lawyer. With their experience, putting the facts of your case together will be easier than doing it on your own. Furthermore, you may lack the basic legal knowledge on how personal injury lawsuits work when they involve another motorist driving under the influence.

The Drunk Driver Was Acquitted of the DUI, Do I Have a Case?

Yes. Even if the party at fault for your injuries is acquitted of drunk driving, you may still recover compensation. Basically, there are two different charges a drunk driver may face; civil and criminal. A state prosecutor files a criminal lawsuit on behalf of the state seeking to punish the defendant for flouting traffic laws and endangering the general public’s lives. They can be compelled to face a jail term or pay fines. This doesn’t in any way result in compensation for the injured victims.

On the other hand, an injured party may file a civil lawsuit demanding compensation for losses suffered. A Fort Bend County intoxicated driving accident attorney spearheads the process through negotiations with insurance companies or court proceedings. Either way, the injury claim stands on its own and is settled regardless of the outcome of the criminal charges. In some instances, seasoned attorneys work with state attorneys and share incriminating evidence to prepare a solid civil case. With a preponderance of the evidence, you only need to show that the driver was negligent and caused your injuries.

Statute of Limitations for Intoxicated Driving Collisions

Personal injury victims are allowed a maximum of two years to file their case formally and this starts from the day of the accident. For most people, two years is a long time, but in reality, it’s not. This is because so much goes into preparing a solid case that this timeframe may lapse. The best way to handle this is to retain a dedicated drunk driving accident attorney in Fort Bend County.

Contact a Fort Bend County Drinking and Driving Attorney

The attorneys at our firm have been trusted for representing our client’s best interests. From the moment you speak to us, we make it our priority to listen to you and understand the facts of your case. By doing so, we ensure that your best interests are assertively fought for by our Fort Bend County drunk driving accident lawyers. Call us today to get started with your case.

Lone Star Injury Attorneys, PLLC

Lone Star Injury Attorneys, PLLC N/a
Address
Suite 255F , 12808 West Airport Blvd
Sugar Land
TX 77478
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