Drunk driving is an epidemic in Texas. In 2019, alcohol-related accidents resulted in 866 deaths and thousands of serious injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between 2003 and 2012, more than 13,000 people were killed in accidents involving drunk drivers.
If you have suffered injuries in an alcohol-related accident, you can sue the driver for damages with the help of a Texas car accident attorney.
How an Accident Attorney Can Help You
Identifying the Liable Parties
In an alcohol-related accident, the driver is not the only person who can be held financially responsible for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, your Texas car accident attorney might be able to hold one or more of the following parties liable as well.
Employer – If the driver was performing a job-related duty at the time of the accident, the employer can be held partially responsible for the accident as well. For instance, if you were hit by a driver who was supposed to make a delivery, you can hold the driver as well as the employer responsible for your injuries.
The Establishment That Served Alcohol to the Driver – Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, if an establishment sells or serves alcohol to a person who is visibly drunk, and if the person causes an accident and injures someone, the establishment can be held partially responsible for the injuries.
Gathering the Evidence Needed for Your Claim
Gathering the evidence needed to support your claim is one of the most important duties of your Texas car accident attorney. Your attorney will gather the evidence needed to prove the culpability of the drunk driver and to prove that you suffered extensive economic and non-economic losses in the accident.
Negotiating a Settlement
Once your Texas car accident attorney has all the evidence they need, they will start the negotiation process with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
During the negotiation, your attorney will try to convince the insurance adjuster to fully compensate you for your losses. If they are willing to do so, your lawyer will settle the case. If they refuse to do so, your lawyer will take the case to trial by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
The Trial Process
During the trial, your Texas car accident attorney will make their arguments, present the evidence they have, and try to convince the judge or jury that you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and other losses. The at-fault driver’s attorney will also get a chance to make their arguments and present their evidence. Upon reviewing the evidence presented, the judge or jury will decide how much the at-fault party should pay you.
Injured by a Drunk Driver? We Can Help You!
For over 40 years, attorney Dana G. Kirk has represented countless victims of alcohol-related accidents and recovered millions in monetary damages through negotiated settlements and litigation.
Rated as one of the top 100 personal injury lawyers in the country, Dana G. Kirk can identify all the parties held liable, build a strong case against them, and fight hard to recover the maximum amount of restitution possible under the law. Reach us online for a free and confidential review of your case.
