Helping South Houston Drunk Driving Victims’ Recover

Those who drive drunk have made a conscious decision to risk their own lives as well as the lives of innocent people.

The South Houston DUI accident lawyers at West & West provide aggressive representation to help drunk driving crash victims recover the financial security they need to move forward with their lives.

If you were hurt or a family member was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver, please call us at 713-222-9378 to arrange your free consultation or contact us online to tell us your story now.

Our injury attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims from the South Houston and Greater Houston areas and throughout Texas.

Drunk Driving in Texas

Drunk driving crashes thousands lives per year in Texas. Despite increased awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and laws intended to limit related crashes, driving while intoxicated remains more common than many people would like to admit.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,497 people died in alcohol-related accidents in 2016, the last year for which comprehensive national data is available. In 2019, drunk driving was a factor in accidents that claimed more than 3,600 lives in Texas.

These numbers may seem shocking, especially considering efforts Texas has made to crack down on drunk driving, particularly among teens and young adults. While punishments for driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) may deter some, the truth is that many drunk drivers are repeat offenders.

DWI and DUI Laws in Texas

In Texas, DWI and DUI charges are distinguished by the driver’s age and his or her blood-alcohol content (BAC).

DWI applies to adults 21 and older who register a BAC of .08 percent or higher. For commercial drivers, the BAC threshold is .04 percent.

DUI applies to drivers under age 21 with a BAC from .02 percent up to .08 percent. If an underage driver registers a BAC of .01 percent or higher, he or she can be charged with DWI.

An underage driver charged with a DWI can face the same penalties as an adult, which could include fines, license suspension and jail time.

The criminal consequences for drunken driving depend on factors such as the offender’s past history, the presence of minors in the vehicle, BAC level, and the amount of injury incurred. If an intoxicated driver ends up causing serious bodily injury to another, they can face additional felony charges for vehicular manslaughter. Penalties for drunken driving include:

• First offense: Up to a $2,000 fine; Up to 180 days in jail upon conviction with three mandatory days; Loss of driver license up to a year.
• Second offense: Up to a $4,000 fine; One month to a year in jail upon conviction; Loss of driver license up to two years.
• Third offense: A $10,000 fine; Two to 10 years in prison; Loss of driver license up to two years



DWI, DUI, and Criminal Charges

Drunk driving is a criminal offense, and those arrested for DWI or DUI could face misdemeanor or felony charges.

Although drunk drivers face punishment for their actions through the criminal court system, these criminal cases don’t provide compensation for drunk driving accident victims. However, drunk driving crash victims and the survivors of those killed in drunk driving accidents still have the right to hold the offending driver accountable for damages.

The civil court system allows injury victims to seek compensation for medical expenses and other applicable damages when another person’s negligence causes their injury. In the event that a drunk driving crash results in death, surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit, which is another form of civil justice case.

Compensation for South Houston Drunk Driving Crash Victims

Drunk driving crashes often result in severe injuries that leave victims facing overwhelming medical costs, time away from work, and the need for rehabilitation or long-term care.

Damages in drunk driving accident cases may include compensation for:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• If the crash resulted in wrongful death, eligible survivors may be able to recover compensation for:
• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of income
• Loss of benefits

Insurance companies look for ways to limit what they pay to injury victims, even in drunk driving cases. Their initial settlement offers are rarely enough to cover victims’ immediate medical needs, and they often steer victims to accept these unjust settlements by promising prompt payment.

Skilled Representation for South Houston Drunk Driving Victims

As a former insurance defense attorney representing the interests of heavyweights in the industry, attorney Michael West knows the tricks insurance providers use in an effort to limit or deny payment to injury victims. As an accomplished drunk driving accident lawyer, he understands the extensive medical costs and other expenses associated with motor vehicle crashes.

If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a crash caused by a drunk driver, call West & West today at 713-222-9378 or contact us online.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your options after you were hit by a drunk driver. We don’t charge for our services unless we successfully resolve your case.