At Reyes Browne, our drunk driving accident attorneys in Dallas have been representing victims for more than 30 years. We are proud to share that we have a 98% client success rate. Get started today by calling (469) 983-1970 for an immediate and confidential consultation with a professional car accident attorney.
Have you or someone you love been injured due to the negligence of a drunk driver? Has a family member lost their life due to someone else’s drinking and driving?
Unfortunately, about 30% of us will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in our lives. Drunk driver accidents in Dallas are common and continue to increase on the roads.
An alcohol-related crash can be debilitating. Your life has been compromised due to bad decisions made by the driver who chose to drive under the influence, as well as the business that sold them the alcohol. Because of that poor judgment, innocent people have been harmed.
Insurance companies are good at minimizing the effects of drunk driving and will do everything in their power to keep money in their pockets. You deserve what is legally and rightfully owed to you. This is why you should hire an experienced Dallas personal injury trial lawyer to protect your rights and the rights of your loved ones.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
Our DWI injury lawyers at Reyes Brown Law recommend that the first step you should take after any car accident is to seek medical attention. Take care of your health and any potential injuries before worrying about anything else. What may seem to be a minor DWI crash could turn out to be more serious. Some soft tissue injuries take time to manifest, so it’s vital to get a professional medical examination as soon after the incident as possible and then follow up after some time has passed.
Follow through with any treatments or procedures that the doctor recommends. A qualified Dallas car accident lawyer will tell you that if you delay addressing your injuries, they can worsen and could cause additional problems in dealing with the insurance companies later on.
Contact the Police
When you speak to the police officers who arrive on the scene, tell them what you observed about the other driver before, during, and after the accident. Were you forced to swerve at the last minute to avoid a head-on collision? Was the other motorist driving well above the posted speed limit? Following too closely? Making unsafe lane changes? Did you witness the driver taking a drink moments before the crash or throwing out bottles immediately after the accident? All of this information is relevant to the police.
It is also wise to speak with anyone who witnessed the accident. Get their contact information and ask them what they saw.
Lastly, be sure to note the surrounding areas, as there may be public or private properties with surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident. The sooner you hire an experienced attorney to represent you, the sooner they can reach out to those eyewitnesses and nearby property owners to investigate and build your case.
In many car accident lawsuits, liability for the crash is disputed. The more evidence you have that establishes that the other driver’s negligent or reckless driving caused the accident, the more valuable your case becomes. The essence of negligence is that someone owes you a duty of care, breaches that duty of care, and that breach causes your injuries.
Demonstrating that the other driver was intoxicated significantly increases your chances of maximizing your financial recovery. Driving under the influence clearly breaches the duty of care that every driver owes to their fellow motorists and pedestrians. The right attorney will know which steps to take to build upon the evidence you have already gathered and continue amplifying the strengths of your claim.
Texas’ statute of limitations states that you must file a personal injury claim within two years. Because of this short timeframe, contacting a lawyer specializing in DUI accidents in Dallas is crucial as soon as possible. The quicker you act, the sooner you can get on the road to recovery.
How to Obtain a Police Report
If you’re the victim of a drunk driver accident in Dallas, it’s crucial to obtain an official police report to support any subsequent legal or insurance claims. Your first step following a DUI accident in Dallas should be ensuring your safety and seeking medical attention if necessary.
Then, contact the Dallas Police Department in person or via the official website. Provide them with the accident’s date, time, location, and parties involved. It also helps to give the badge numbers of any responding officers.
There’s typically a small fee for obtaining a copy of the report. Review the document for accuracy, as it will be a key piece of evidence if you decide to pursue any legal action against the other driver.
Concerning Statistics about Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving is a problem everywhere; however, it is particularly serious in Texas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported some alarming statistics in the Lone Star State:
- More than 10,000 people in the United States die each year in motor vehicle accidents involving someone driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol-impaired drivers get behind the wheel millions of times every year.
- In the last 30 days, 1.7 percent of adults nationwide reported driving after drinking too much—in Texas, that figure is 2.2 percent.
- Per 100,000 people, 1.6 women and 4.9 men nationwide cause alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. In Texas, those same figures are higher—2.5 women and 7.6 men.
- Per 100,000 people nationwide, there are 3.2 alcohol-impaired driving deaths. In Texas, that number is 5.0.
- Between 2009 and 2018 in Texas, 13,592 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver.
Injuries Commonly Associated with Drunk Driving Crashes
As these statistics illustrate, many drunk driving accidents are fatal. Just because a drunk driving crash does not give rise to a wrongful death claim, though, does not mean it is not severe. These accidents often cause serious or life-changing injuries that impact the lives of the victims and their families far into the future. Here are some common injuries sustained by drunk driving accident victims:
- Lacerations and cuts
- Severe burns
- Airbag injuries
- Bone fractures or breaks
- Damage to ligaments
- Organ damage
- Head and neck injuries, which are common in a rear-end collision
- Back and spine injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Disfigurement or amputation
- Paralysis
- Death
What to Do if You See a Suspected Drunk Driver on the Road
Witnessing a suspected intoxicated driver in Dallas can be alarming. However, you can take steps to prevent drunk driver accidents in Dallas and save lives. Here’s what you should do if you spot someone you believe to be driving drunk:
- Stay Safe: Keep a safe distance from the suspected vehicle. Do not try to confront or stop the driver.
- Take Note: If it’s safe to do so, note the vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate, and any distinguishing features.
- Location Details: Remember the exact location and direction the vehicle is heading.
- Call 911: Report your suspicions to the Dallas Police Department immediately. Provide them with the details you’ve gathered.
- Do Not Engage: Avoid following the driver or taking matters into your own hands.
- Stay Alert: After reporting, stay cautious on the road and be aware of other potential hazards.
Your vigilance can reduce DUIs in Dallas and make the roads safer for everyone.
FAQs
Explore some of the frequently asked questions about drunk driving accidents in Dallas to learn more about this concerning problem.
How many drunk driving accidents are there per year in Dallas?
Recent statistics by the Texas Department of Transportation indicate that in 2022, 1,055 DUI car crashes occurred in Dallas, resulting in 66 deaths.
When do the most drunk driving accidents occur?
Like other places, most drunk driver accidents in Dallas occur on weekends and late at night, mainly between midnight and 3 a.m. Holidays and special occasions also spike in such incidents, as festivities often involve alcohol consumption.
What percent of accidents in Dallas are drunk driving related?
In 2022, there were a reported 33,980 car crashes in Dallas, Texas, with 3.1% of them caused by drunk driving.
Does insurance cover drunk driving accidents?
Insurance policies typically cover damages resulting from accidents, including those involving drunk drivers. However, some insurance companies might refuse to cover punitive damages if the policyholder is the drunk driver.
The insurance may cover liability for injuries and property damage, influencing drunk driver settlements. Specific drunk driver settlement amounts vary based on policy limits, accident severity, and jurisdiction. Always review your policy details and consult an attorney for guidance.
Trust the Professionals: Contact one of our Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Today
Settling a car accident injury claim can be complicated. To get the best possible compensation for your injuries, you need a drunk driving accident lawyer on your side. Whether you were injured in a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, there is no excuse for the negligence of impaired drivers.
Learn more about the average settlement for a drunk driving accident in Texas and how we can help you. Our case results speak for themselves.
At Reyes Browne, our drunk driving accident attorneys in Dallas have been representing victims for more than 30 years. We are proud to share that we have a 98% client success rate. Get started today by calling (469) 983-1970 for an immediate and confidential consultation with a professional car accident attorney.
