Let Someone Else Drive
New Year’s Eve is approaching fast. Like many Texans, you may be planning to celebrate with some bubbly, a little Henny, all while driving. You should be warned, however, because the consequences can be brutal for causing a car wreck while intoxicated.
In 2017, intoxicated drivers caused 7,669 car wrecks in Texas. Of these, 944 were fatal. Nationally, the Center for Disease Control says on its website:
Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver.1 Thisis one death every 50 minutes.1 The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion.2
The State of Texas punishes intoxicated drivers for their criminal conduct. Law enforcement charges intoxicated drivers with at least a DWI/DUI, and perhaps more serious charges depending on the facts and circumstances. There will be civil lawsuits also when intoxicated drivers cause accidents. Civil lawsuits attempt to secure compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional losses caused by intoxicated drivers.
Remember as well that drunk driving isn’t necessary to be dangerous. Intoxicated or impaired driving is dangerous too. Having a little buzz may be sufficient to interfere with drivers’ reflexes and reactions to make him a dangerousdriver. Forget the myth that driving is ok provided the driver isn’t completely drunk.
Who Else May Be Liable for Accidents Caused by Intoxicated Driver?
Intoxicated drivers may not be the only responsible party for accidents and mayhem they cause. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act (TDSA), victims may bring claims against parties who provide alcohol to intoxicated drivers. Specifically, under certain circumstances, TDSA gives victims the right to sue stores, bars or restaurants who sell alcohol to intoxicateddrivers who cause car wrecks.
And TDSA even allows injured victims to sue employers if the intoxicated driver was at work when he injured or killed someone, or he was driving a company car. In such cases, employers can be held liable for any damages their intoxicated employees caused.
What Can Be Recovered When an Intoxicated Driver Injures Another Person?
The damages injured victims can recover depends on the facts and issues involved in each case. At a minimum, injured victims can seek maximum recovery for these damages:
- Lost wages
- Physical impairment
- Past and future medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Other related costs
We wrote this article not so much about money, but we’ve seen firsthand the severe injuries intoxicated drivers can cause others in car accidents. Every day somewhere in this nation intoxicated drivers change people’s lives from the injuries or death they cause. Recently, an intoxicated driver rear-ended a woman we are representing, and her life will never be the same. No amount of money is worth what she’s suffering.
Hence, before December 31starrives, please decide not to drive while you’re intoxicated. That simple decision may prevent you from severely injuring or killing an innocent person. It may also prevent serious felony charges and civil lawsuits from destroying your life.
Contact us today if an intoxicated driver fails to take our advice and severely injures you or kills a family member. We will seek justice zealously for you and show you the Corbett Difference, which is superior client relations based on our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, and industry.
Or contact us if you injured someone while intoxicated and need criminal representation. We are criminal defense attorneys as well.
