Throughout the United States, the legal limit for driving while under the influence is .08 percent. This means a person who drives any type of motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol above the legal limit is subject to criminal consequences, especially due to the risk of causing serious and fatal harm to others on the road. The result of a motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver is almost always catastrophic. These cases are taken very seriously by law enforcement in addition to car accident lawyers. If a person is injured by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the victim deserves to be compensated.
Claims for accidents caused by a drunk driver can be difficult without a personal injury lawyer. A drunk driving accident lawyer will provide the victim or the victim’s family with the information they need, take advantage of all available resources and investigate the accident itself. Additionally, they will take your case to court if the drunk driver’s insurance provider fails to comply with the settlement requested by your car accident lawyer.
Leading Cause of Death on Texas Roads: Drunk Driving Statistics
Did you know that the leading cause of death on Texas roadways in 2009 was drunk driving crashes? These types of accidents are completely avoidable, which makes them all the more tragic. Those responsible for these types of accidents will likely be arrested for DUI. Aside from criminal liability, the drunk driver may be civilly liable as well. What this means is that a DUI conviction does not necessarily benefit the victims of the accident. This is why victims can take additional actions against a drunk driver by seeking the help of a personal injury lawyer.
According to a 2011 study, almost half of all drivers who are killed in traffic collisions tested positive for drugs or alcohol. A third of those who are involved in DUI-related collisions are repeat offenders. Drinking and driving crash victims may be entitled to more compensation the worse the acts of negligence. For example, a case can rest upon factors such as:
- What was the blood alcohol content at the time of the accident?
- Did the driver have any prior offenses?
- Were there any children in the vehicle at the time?
Texas Dram Shop laws are also important when it comes to drunk driving crashes. These are the laws that forbid bartenders and wait staff from serving alcohol unless they are certified by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Being certified in this way means that wait staff may be held partially liable for the actions of a drunk driver in the event that they cause an accident. Statistically, those between the ages of 21 to 24 are most likely to cause these types of accidents. Statistics also indicate that one out of every three people in the United States will be involved in a drunk driving accident at least once in their lifetimes.
Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Helps Clients with Serious Injury Claims
Drunk driving crashes are an unfortunate aspect of life; they occur on a daily basis throughout the United States, despite the tough laws enforced in each state. Whether the drunk driver who injured you was driving a car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, boat or another type of vehicle, you may still request to be compensated for the injuries and the property damage.
After a person is involved in this type of accident, they often experience extensive physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and even loss of earnings. All of these aspects of the case are equally important and must be reviewed to determine the amount of compensation that the victim should be awarded. To learn more about motor vehicle accidents caused by a negligent or drunk driver, call a drunk driving accident lawyer at de Lachica Law Firm today.