Drunk Driving Accidents - The Law Office of Ryan C. Solis

DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS

Unfortunately, Texas is in the top 10 states for DUI-related car accident injuries and fatalities. Every year, hundreds of individuals lose their lives to drunk driving accidents and thousands more suffer injuries.

Drunk driving accidents can quickly become legally complex. You need an attorney that is experienced in holding intoxicated drivers accountable for their actions. Victims deserve maximum compensation, and with the help of the experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney you’ll be on the path to excellent results.

Filing Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim

If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident caused by an intoxicated driver, consider taking the following steps to secure the best shot at recovering compensation:

1. 1.) Seek medical attention immediately. If an ambulance arrives to assist the scene, seek care to assess any injuries, even if you are not badly hurt; some injuries may appear days after the incident. Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments if you undergo long-term treatment.


2. 2.) Get in touch with an attorney. When you are well enough, or if you can get assistance to do so, seek consultation from a dependable South Texas drunk driving accident attorney who can offer guidance on how to pursue justice and compensation in a DWI-related crash.


3. 3.) Work with your attorney to gather evidence. Evidence that is traditionally gathered for car accidents at the scene includes eye-witness accounts, photographs of the scene, and police/accident reports. Medical records, medical bills and financial documents can help to prove that the accident caused you real damages.


4. 4.) Refrain from accepting a quick settlement. If the defendant’s insurance company contacts you and offers you a quick settlement, do NOT simply accept it – even if it looks good. Insurance adjusters know that you may be in need of money to cover property damages and medical bills, and thus they may offer you a lower settlement than you are entitled to. Hold off until you have consulted with an attorney to estimate your claim’s true worth.

Please note that you can still file for a personal injury claim even if the defendant does not face any criminal charges.

Texas Laws That May Apply to Your DWI-Related Accident

In the state of Texas, victims have two (2) years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This is known as the statute of limitations.

In most cases, the incapacitation of drunk drivers is the sole cause of a collision. However, in the case that you may be partially at-fault, know that you may still be eligible for compensation. Texas is a modified comparative fault state which means you may still recover damages in an accident for which you held less than 50 percent at fault.

The total amount of damages for which you are responsible will be deducted from your total compensation. For example, if you contributed to 25 percent of the accident and received a $100,000 settlement, your total compensation will be reduced by $25,000, so you will receive $75,000.