DUI ACCIDENTS - Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer

Attorneys for Injured Victims of DUI Accidents in 

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol increases the risk of serious accidents. It threatens the safety of motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers who share the road. There can be no confusion; drunk driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors a driver can engage in. Yet, despite decades of government and non-profit campaigns highlighting the dangers of impaired driving, Fort Bend County drunk driving accidents are common. At West & West, our dedicated Fort Bend County personal injury lawyers help drunk driving victims pursue the compensation they need and deserve after suffering serious injuries in a drunk driving accident. If you were hurt in a Fort Bend County drunk driving collision, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. At West & West, we help drunk driving accident victims hold negligent, at-fault drivers accountable through a personal injury lawsuit. Our trusted drunk driving injury lawyers take care of the entire legal process so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
 

Drunk Driving is a Serious Problem in Houston

Texas consistently ranks as one of the worst states in DUI arrests, accidents, and deaths. A 2020 study listed Houston as number fifteen among Texas’ top 20 cities with the most dangerous drivers. As the city is home to many bars and clubs, the risks of being hit by a drunk driver in the area should not be ignored.

In 2018 Houston Chronicle began a series investigating Houston’s car accident issues. “The nine-county region tallied more fatal drunken-driving crashes during the last 16 years than any other major metropolitan area in the country” 

Common Injuries in a La Porte Drunk Driving Crash

Drunk driving collisions often involve high speeds and direct impacts, and the injuries of accident victims are severe. Some of the most common injuries in Fort Bend County DUI crashes include:

Back and Spine Injuries

Back, neck, and spine injuries are among the most common types of injuries in a drunk driving accident, especially in those involving higher speeds. These injuries include spinal fractures, disc injuries, sprains, and strains. While any type of back or spine injury is serious, injuries to the spinal cord are the most severe. They can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.

Broken Bones

The forces involved in a Fort Bend County drunk driving wreck can easily break bones in a person’s body. A victim’s bones can be crushed or broken in several places and require multiple follow-up surgeries. Surgeries are often needed to have any hope of regaining full function. Unfortunately, broken bones can be so severe that they cause permanent disability.

Psychological Injuries

After a Fort Bend County drunk driving crash, a victim’s life is immediately turned upside down. Understandably, it is common for those involved in these accidents to suffer from depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the accident.

Lacerations, Contusions, and Other Superficial Injuries

A drunk driving wreck permanently damages an accident victim’s face and skin. These injuries typically include lacerations or burns. In severe cases, a DUI crash victim can suffer permanent disfigurement due to their injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

If a driver is involved in a drunk driving accident, they often suffer from impacts to the head. This occurs when a driver’s head hits the steering wheel, the windshield, or any other object inside the vehicle.

Pedestrians are also at a high risk of head injuries after an accident. Common injuries include a concussion or traumatic brain injury. These injuries are concerning, because there may be no recognizable signs of an injury until hours, days, or weeks after the accident.

An accident victim must visit a doctor as soon as possible. Often, victims do not learn the full extent of their injuries until months after an accident. The sooner an injured person seeks medical attention, the better chance they have at obtaining proper treatment.

Which Fort Bend County Roads Are the Most Dangerous for Drunk Driving?

While a drunk driving accident can occur on any road, some areas present greater dangers than others. 

Fort Bend County has many bars and restaurants that serve alcohol to customers. Areas with a high concentration of bars and restaurants are more likely to encounter a drunk driver.

Popular roads where drivers should exercise extra caution include:

• IH 45
• 610 Loop

• Highway 225

• Beltway 8
• I-10
• US-59
• Memorial Parkway/Washington Avenue

Each of the common roadways has numerous bars and restaurants, which increases the likelihood of a Fort Bend County DUI accident. Additionally, certain areas present a greater risk of encountering a drunk driver based on high traffic volume and potentially confusing road designs.

Of course, it is not up to the potential victim of a drunk driving crash to avoid a collision. Drivers have a legal responsibility to avoid getting behind the wheel after consuming too much to drink. When drivers cause an accident because they were intoxicated, they can be held accountable through a Fort Bend County drunk driving lawsuit.

Can Accident Victims Recover Compensation from Drunk Drivers?

Texas residents injured in a Fort Bend County drunk driving wreck can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver. To successfully bring a case, an accident victim must prove that the other driver was legally negligent.

In Texas, courts follow a legal doctrine called “negligence per se.” This doctrine explains that certain illegal actions are automatically considered negligent. Drunk driving fits within the negligence per se framework.

To bring a personal injury case against a drunk driver, an accident victim must prove the following elements:

1.) The other driver was impaired by either drugs or alcohol;
2.) The other driver caused the accident; and
3.) The accident victim suffered legally recognizable injuries.

If a drunk driving car accident victim can meet each of the listed elements, they may be entitled to compensation for serious injuries. While the amount of injury compensation varies depending on the facts of each case, courts commonly award DUI crash victims the following damages:

• Past and future medical expenses;

• Lost wages;
• Decrease in earning capacity; and
• Non-economic damages.

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional and psychological impact that the accident had on a person’s life. Non-economic damages include compensation for the following:

• Disfigurement;
• Emotional distress;
• Inconvenience;
• Mental anguish;

• loss of consortium;
• loss of household services;
• Pain and suffering; and
• Physical impairment.

At West & West, we have decades of experience working with victims of Fort Bend County drunk driving accidents, helping them identify the full extent of their economic and non-economic damages.
 

Recovering Damages Through a Personal Injury Lawsuit

 
A drunk driving accident can result in criminal charges for the at-fault driver. While a convicted driver may be punished with fines, jail time, and the loss of driving privileges, you are likely to be left with painful injuries and piles of medical bills in the aftermath of a crash.
 
Filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court allows you to recover compensation for the medical expenses you incurred because of your injuries, property damage, and other losses from the DUI accident. While taking legal action may sound scary, many drunk driving accident cases can be settled through negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
 
Under Texas’s comparative negligence laws, the court assigns a percentage of fault to each party named in a personal injury lawsuit. When a driver gets a DUI, there are higher chances that the court will hold them liable for the losses that arise from an accident.
 
West & West can help you understand your legal options after a collision with a drunk driver in Fort Bend County. Our qualified drunk driving injury lawyers will negotiate with insurers on your behalf and gather evidence to establish liability for your injuries. If a settlement is not possible, we are prepared to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to get you full and fair compensation.
 

Can Bars or Restaurants Be Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident?

 
In Texas, it is illegal to knowingly serve alcohol to a person who is intoxicated or under the age of 21. If you can prove that a restaurant, bar, or other public venue knew the at-fault driver who caused your accident was intoxicated or reasonably should have known, the establishment may be liable for damages.
 
The same law applies to social hosts who serve alcohol to underage individuals at a private party. As such claims that involve a third party can be complicated, it is in your best interests to discuss your case with an experienced drunk driving injury attorney.
 

Damages in a Fort Bend County Drunk Driving Lawsuit

 
There are several types of damages you may be able to recover if you were injured in a drunk driving accident. Compensation in a personal injury claim can include:
 
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning capacity
• Property damage
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
 
The court may decide to award punitive damages to deter the at-fault driver from repeating the negligent behavior. These damages are only available in rare cases that involve deliberate harm or gross negligence.
 
While certain types of damages like medical costs have a set monetary value, it can be challenging to put a number on intangible damages like the pain and suffering you endured because of the crash. West & West can help you calculate the full extent of your losses and ensure you receive the maximum amount you deserve.
 

What to Do if You Are Hit by a Drunk Driver

 
No matter how safely you drive, you cannot control the actions of other drivers. Driving under the influence of alcohol can impair a person’s reaction time and lead to erratic behavior behind the wheel. Speeding, swerving, or ignoring the rules of the road can result in serious accidents.
 
Being in a car accident can be a scary and distressing experience that can leave you confused about what to do. If you are struck by a drunk driver in Fort Bend County, taking the following steps can help protect your rights when pursuing compensation for your injuries. 

• Stay at the scene. Try to remain calm as you wait for help to arrive at the scene of the accident. Assess the situation and your surroundings. Do not leave unless there is a significant risk to your safety.
• Report the crash. Call 911 immediately for police and emergency medical services. Police will investigate the collision and determine if the at-fault driver was intoxicated. Even if you do not need any urgent medical treatment, be sure to see your doctor right away after the accident.
• Collect evidence. Use a smartphone to take photos and videos of any visible injuries, vehicle damage, the roadway, traffic signs, and other aspects of the accident scene. Get the driver’s insurance and contact information. Also, get contact details from any eyewitnesses.
• Contact a lawyer. You may be able to get compensation for your injuries. Discuss your crash with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible. There are important time limits involved when filing a personal injury claim.
 

How Long Do I Have to File a DUI Personal Injury Lawsuit?

 
Under Texas law, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit against a drunk driver is three years from the date of the accident. The statute of limitations may be extended in rare cases. For example, the court may allow extra time if the drunk driver left the state after the accident but before you filed your lawsuit. If a drunk driving accident was fatal, the victim’s family members have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver.
 

How a Fort Bend County Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help You

 
Because DUI accidents can be complicated, they require skillful communication with the at-fault party and insurance companies. For example, the drunk driver may not have enough insurance to cover your injuries.
 
With legal representation from experienced Fort Bend County drunk driving injury lawyer, you are more likely to get the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries. The attorney will handle all negotiations, paperwork, and insurance matters throughout the legal process.
 
To have a strong claim, it is essential to present solid evidence that establishes liability. Your lawyer will gather recorded witness statements, investigative reports, photos, expert testimony, and more to prove the drunk driver was negligent and caused your injuries. When you choose West & West to handle your drunk driving injury claim, you will have a dedicated legal team protecting your rights.
 

Contact the Fort Bend County Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers at West & West

 
If you have suffered injuries in an accident with a drunk driver, reach out to the knowledgeable and compassionate personal injury lawyers at West & West. We are committed to helping you recover the damages you deserve and get your life back on track after a severe accident.
 
Our attorneys are available to answer your questions and explain your legal options after a Fort Bend County drunk driving injury. Schedule a free initial consultation at 713-222-9378. You can also reach us through our online form.