Federal statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that New Year’s is one of the deadliest days for driving. Many accidents during holidays are caused by motorists who were impaired by alcohol. In Houston, law enforcement officers arrested almost 350 drunk drivers during the 2018 holiday season. Two people died during holiday drunk driving accidents in Houston this year.
For survivors of drunk driving accidents, they may suffer lasting or permanent psychological and physical injuries. Victims can also lose their lives. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to recover compensation for damages from the following parties.
- Businesses. Texas dram shop laws help determine whether businesses are liable for drunk driving accidents. Businesses that sell alcohol may be liable in cases where visibly intoxicated guests are oversold alcohol, and then cause a crash. Other factors could make a business liable. We recently published a blog that went into more detail on how the Texas dram shop law comes into play after a drunk driving accident. Depending on what occurred, bars, restaurants or liquor stores could be liable for a crash.
- Social hosts. Depending on the circumstances, hosts of social events (parties) can also be liable for drunk driving accidents in Texas. In some cases, hosts may be liable if they provide alcohol to minors (under 18) who cause drunk driving accidents.
- The driver. Drunk driving accident victims may also be able to file injury or wrongful death claims against drunk drivers. In this case, the accident survivor or their family members would seek compensation by filing a claim against the drunk driver.
Should I File a DWI Accident Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one suffered harm during a drunk driving accident, then an attorney can investigate the situation to help you determine your possible options for recovering compensation. Drunk driving claims require a thorough investigation, so you should choose an attorney who has experience with car crash cases. You should never wait to hire an attorney, as crucial evidence can disappear soon after an accident. If you wait too long, it may not be possible to file a claim.
Compensation from a drunk driving lawsuit can provide benefits for survivors and their family members. This is especially true in cases where the survivor has suffered catastrophic injuries, such as a TBI (traumatic brain injury), severe burns or a spinal cord injury. A verdict or settlement could help pay for medical bills, rehabilitation services, home modifications, funeral costs and more. These are, of course, expenses that most survivors will be unable to afford on their own.
Contact us if you have questions about filing a DWI accident lawsuit in Texas. The Law Office of Daniel D. Horowitz, III PC offers free consultations. Call us at (832) 460-5181 or use our online case review form. Follow us on Facebook for future blog updates.