Do You Need A Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?
The criminal penalties for drunk driving in Texas can be significant. When you are involved in an automobile accident caused by a drunk driver, an experienced Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer is committed to helping you. They will guide those injured by drunk drivers to receive the fair compensation they may be due.
Common Causes Of Driving Under The Influence (DWI)
Alcohol has several effects on the body’s systems, all of which harm one’s ability to drive. Common effects of alcohol include:
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced motor functioning
- Impaired judgment and reduced cognitive functioning
- Difficulty making decisions
- Lowered inhibitions
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
As a depressant, alcohol slows the workings of the central nervous system. This means that the brain is slower to perceive and register outside stimuli and slower to react to these stimuli. When operating a motor vehicle, even at moderate speeds, any delayed reaction can result in tragedy.
Further, the effects of alcohol are compounded by the amount one drinks and the effect of other drugs, prescribed or illicit, in the body. Sadly, many drivers still get behind the wheel, sometimes hundreds of times before they are caught doing the negligent act. If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a DWI accident lawyer in Dallas may be able to present a strong defense in favor of you in court.
How Does A Dallas Drunk Driving Attorney Help In Determining Liability?
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) can cause catastrophic injuries and severe damage. For a first offense of drunk driving, there is a fine of nearly $2,000 and 180 days of prison time. It may even lead to a license suspension for the driver for almost a year.
However, the blood alcohol content (BAC) also determines the severity of the punishment. But if the amount of alcohol in the blood is 0.08% or more, it is considered as breaking DWI law.
Along with the criminal penalties, there can be a liability for the drunk drivers along with their insurance carriers. They may be responsible for paying compensation for the damages.
If a crash is caused by the alcohol-impaired driver, they will be liable for the injuries and other expenses including medical bills, property damage, disability, lost income, and pain and suffering.
However, there is a difference in civil liability and criminal charges imposed on the at-fault driver. In Texas, the injured victims due to drunk driving may be given punitive punishment also. This way, they are punished in addition to their insurance company needing to pay compensation for injuries and damages
The statutory causes of drunk drivers’ actions can be attributed to 2 causes:
- According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, the alcohol provider has provided alcohol to which level. The alcohol level must not be more dangerous to the individual drinking the alcohol.
- The person who is intoxicated was provided alcohol to the level that has caused damage to the other party.
There may be other liable parties, such as the restaurant or bar that provided the alcohol, according to the Texas Dram Shop Act. If you are still confused about how you can determine liability in your case, you can take effective guidance from a renowned Dallas Auto Accident Lawyer.
What Types of Injuries Can Drunk Driving Victims Sustain?
Due to their size and speed, accidents involving motor vehicles are inherently dangerous. Drunk drivers commonly cause accidents in head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, wrong-way crashes, and pedestrian impacts. Any of these can result in a myriad of serious injuries or death. Some of the most common injuries suffered in drunk driving accidents include:
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back and spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
Many of these injuries can impact a victim for years following a drunk driving accident, sometimes even for a lifetime. Victims can find themselves unable to work or only able to work with a significantly decreased earning capacity.
Drunk Driving Accidents In Texas: Alarming Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects data on automobile accidents. According to a recent release, 10,142 people died in alcohol-related driving accidents in the United States in 2019.
A staggering 963 of these tragic fatalities were suffered in Texas. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from 2009 to 2018, a shocking 13,592 people were killed in auto accidents involving drunk drivers in Texas.
These numbers demonstrate the seriousness of the drunk driving epidemic in Texas. The extent of the problem is further illustrated by data that show that while 28.8% of driving fatalities nationwide were alcohol-related, in Texas, the percentage was 39.5%. Make no mistake, speak to a proficient Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer because drunk driving poses an especially deadly risk in Texas.
Contact An Experienced Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an alcohol-related auto accident in Dallas, you should act now. Contact Khattar Law, P.C. today. Fill out our contact form and we will be happy to evaluate your case.