Personal Injury Lawyer

Laredo Texas

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Laredo

Fighting Aggressively for Victims and Families

The dangers of drunk driving are well-known in Texas. Despite public awareness campaigns from anti-drunk driving groups over the past several decades, some people in Laredo still choose to drive under the influence of alcohol.

If you have been hit by a drunk driver in Laredo or another community in Texas, you need to act fast to protect your health and your rights. Whether you decide to pursue compensation in the form of a drunk driving claim or lawsuit, you need to take steps to give your case the best opportunity for success.

John R. Solis, Attorney at Law understands how serious the consequences can be when a drunk driver gets behind the wheel and causes a serious car accident. The Texas Department of Transportation records reveal that drunk drivers kill hundreds of Texans every year and injure thousands more. In a heartbeat, you may find your life turned upside-down as a result of somebody else's careless choice.

Texas Drunk Driving Deaths

  • More than 37 percent of Texas traffic fatalities are due to drunk driving.
  • Texas has one of the highest drunk driving death rates in the country.
  • There are more than 1000 drunk driving deaths each year on average in Texas.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas Department of Transportation

Our firm takes Laredo drunk driving cases seriously

If you were hit by a drunk driver or a loved one died as a result of a driver under the influence of alcohol, you will need somebody in your corner who knows how to protect your rights. Your accident wasn’t your fault. You shouldn’t have to foot the bill for your physical, emotional and financial hardship. A Laredo drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm is ready to help you.

While it’s important to get fairly compensated, we know your accident is more than about money. It’s about justice. It’s about sending a message to drunk drivers that they will be held accountable for their reckless behavior. Your action today could help make Texas a safer place tomorrow.

A closer look at drunk driving in Texas

Drunk driving-related crashes and fatalities are alarmingly common throughout the state of Texas. On average, nearly three deaths per day in Texas can be traced back to a drunk driver. Furthermore, drunk driving-related crashes accounted for roughly one-third of all fatal car accidents in the state. If you're involved in a truck accident caused by a drunk driver, the consequences might even be more severe than an accident involving two passenger vehicles.

A drunk driver might cause a rear-end accident, speed through a stop sign or cause a head-on collision. Common car accident injuries include:

  • Broken bones or fractures
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Internal injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Fatal injuries

Who’s responsible for paying for my Texas drunk driving accident?

If you were hit by a drunk driver in Texas, the driver who caused the crash is usually the one who is liable, meaning they are legally responsible for paying for your accident-related expenses. But in many cases, other parties may share responsibility too. It all depends on the details of your accident.

  • The drunk driver’s insurance company often must pay for your accident, including providing compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other damages (financial losses) covered by insurance.
  • The drunk driver may also be personally responsible for damages that exceed their insurance coverage.
  • A bar, restaurant, or store that overserved the drunk driver may be held responsible under Texas’s “dram shop” law. This law applies if a business sells alcohol to someone who was clearly already drunk, then got behind the wheel of a car and caused your drunk driving accident.
  • Your own insurance provider may help if the drunk driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance coverage. In Texas, this is called uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
  • Third parties like employers may be responsible if the drunk driver was on the job at the time of the crash.

Even if your accident seems straightforward, drunk driving claims and lawsuits often quickly turn into complicated legal cases. A Laredo drunk driving accident lawyer can review the facts and help you hold every responsible party accountable.

Who can I sue after a drunk driving crash in Texas?

If you were injured by a drunk driver in Texas, you can sue the driver who caused the crash and possibly others who contributed to it. Texas law gives you the right to seek compensation from anyone whose actions led to your injuries. The key is proving fault.

  • The drunk driver is the main person you can sue. If they broke the law and hurt you, they’re financially responsible.
  • Bars or restaurants may be liable under Texas’s dram shop law if they knowingly served alcohol to an already drunk customer who then caused your crash.
  • Social hosts can sometimes be sued if they gave alcohol to minors who then caused your accident.
  • Employers may be responsible if the drunk driver was working when the crash happened. For example, a delivery company could be sued if their driver was intoxicated on the job.
  • Car owners can be held liable if they knowingly let someone drunk borrow their vehicle.

Holding all responsible parties accountable can help you get the full amount of compensation you deserve. An experienced lawyer in Laredo can investigate your crash and file a drunk driving accident lawsuit on your behalf seeking damages (compensation) for direct financial losses like medical bills and indirect losses like pain and suffering.

What are my options after a drunk driver hit-and-run?

A hit-and-run crash is stressful, especially when the driver was drunk and left the scene. But you still have legal options in Laredo and other parts of Texas. Even if the driver isn’t found right away, you may be able to recover compensation for your accident.

  • File a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This can cover medical bills, lost income and other financial losses when the other driver can’t be identified.
  • Check if the police can locate the driver. If they do, you can file a personal injury lawsuit or claim against the drunk driver’s insurance company or the driver.
  • Use collision and medical payments (MedPay) coverage on your own policy to pay for repairs or medical treatment right away.
  • Look into crime victim compensation. Texas has a program that may help cover your expenses if you're the victim of a hit-and-run crime.
  • Speak with a lawyer to explore every possible source of compensation. In hit-and-run cases, a legal team can help track down the driver or identify other responsible parties.

Even if the drunk driver who hit you fled the scene, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. A lawyer can explain your options, protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

Hold drunk drivers accountable. Contact us today.

We understand how difficult life can become after an accident. Medical bills add up. You may be unable to work. You may have to hire people to take care of your home. Accidents often cost much more than the insurance company's first offer. When we work on a drunk driving case, we leave no stone unturned. We look for all sources of compensation for the client. We know how to gather key evidence. We present a compelling case to the insurance company to ensure our clients are fairly compensated. We work tirelessly on behalf of each our clients, one case at a time.

Our clients come first. Contact John R. Solis, Attorney at Law today to discuss your legal options with an aggressive, experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Laredo. Call 866-465-9093 and schedule a free case evaluation. A delay may affect your rights. We serve both English and Spanish speaking clients in Laredo and throughout Texas.

Drunk Driving Accidents Infographic

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