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Drunk driving is a serious problem in the Texas area and across the United States. Most states, including Texas, are cracking down on drunk driving.
There are criminal penalties imposed on drivers who are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of above 0.08%. Victims of these accidents have an added sanction that allows them to pursue compensation for their losses by filing civil charges.
A trusted fatal drunk driving accident lawyer in Harlingen may help you with the settlement process. If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident as a passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist, you deserve compensation for your losses.
Contact the Harlingen drunk driving accident lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys for representation.
Liability in a Drunk Driving Accident Case
The intoxicated driver is the most apparent party that bears liability in a drunk driving accident. Due to the intoxication, they have a lesser reaction time, blurry vision, lapses in judgment, and are often exhausted. Drunk drivers are frequently aggressive to other motorists.
Although there are limits to what is considered excessive alcohol consumption, you may still file a case even if the driver was below the 0.08% BAC limit. All you need to show is that they were drunk at the time of the accident.
Having a seasoned Harlingen fatal drunk driving accident lawyer is the best way to increase the likelihood of your case recovery.
For a free legal consultation with a fatal car accident lawyer serving Harlingen, call (713) 429-0711
How Do I Prove the Other Driver was Drunk?
Proving that the driver who caused your injuries and losses was drunk is a crucial step in your pursuit of justice. You need indisputable evidence to place the driver at the center of the accident. Generally, there are three primary ways you can prove they were drunk:
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses play a vital role in proving the driver was intoxicated. They may give an account of the events leading to the crash as they happened. For example, they may tell if the driver was disoriented and aggressive or saw them drinking alcohol. Their testimonials may also match with your impressions, thus backing your claim.
If you are severely injured, don’t worry about retaining eyewitnesses’ information and testimonials. Your Harlingen car accident lawyer will handle everything on your behalf. But if you can, it is essential to talk to them and note their contact details while waiting for your legal team to arrive.
Evidence from the Scene
Before leaving the accident scene, you should have a few impressions of the driver. Look out for how they communicate and carry themselves around. If they slurred or were stumbling, it could indicate drunkenness.
Of course, the best telltale sign is the smell of alcohol on them. You may also look for beer cans and preserve them as evidence. Take photos of the scene and inform your Harlingen personal injury lawyer of all this information.
Police Reports
It’s required that the local police department be notified when a fatal accident occurs. It is their duty to carry out investigations regarding the crash and establish whether someone may have been at fault. The details are recorded in the police report.
They may note down field sobriety tests and citations against the driver, if any. The investigating officer may also administer alcohol tests using breathalyzers or urine and blood samples. You should retain copies of these reports before leaving the scene.
Harlingen Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (713) 429-0711
The Drunk Driver Was Acquitted. Do I Have a Case?
Even if the drunk driver is acquitted in a criminal case, you may still file civil charges. These cases are distinct and take different methods to prove fault. The Harlingen fatal drunk driving accident lawyer you choose should have experience working on similar issues.
With the right Harlingen fatal drunk driving accident attorney, you may use evidence from criminal proceedings to back your claim. So even if the drunk driver is let go, you still have another shot at making a recovery.
Click to contact our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Harlingen today
Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Right Away
Pursuing compensation in a drunk driving accident lawsuit isn’t as easy as it may seem. You have a lot of work to do as the plaintiff before you can collect damages for your losses.
Lone Star Injury Attorneys’ Harlingen fatal drunk driving accident attorneys are well-versed in these cases and understand how dram-shop laws affect your case. We are committed to maximizing compensation on behalf of our clients. Please call us today for a free case review.
Call or text (713) 429-0711 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
