Were you involved in a collision with a drunk driver? While we can’t go back in time and undo the damage that the other driver caused, a drunk driving accident lawyer in Dallas can offer legal advocacy during such a stressful and overwhelming time.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, founded in 2016, we recognize how disorienting it can be to find yourself in a car crash with someone who’s operating their vehicle while under the influence, but we’re here to help.
With our Dallas car accident lawyers by your side, you can trust that we will serve as your trusted advocate and protect your rights every step of the way. Call us now for a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Team?
At Omega Law Group, our Dallas personal injury lawyers are committed to standing by the side of accident victims in Texas and fighting tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation they deserve.
When you work with us, you can benefit from everything we have to offer, which includes:
- No recovery, no fee: You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our contingency fee structure means you can pursue the compensation you deserve without any financial risk or upfront costs.
- Serving clients since 2016: Since our founding, Omega Law Group has built a strong track record of results for personal injury victims across Texas, earning a reputation as a law firm that delivers when it matters most.
- Free consultation: You don’t have to figure out your next steps alone. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the details of your case, understand your legal options, and take the first step toward recovery. Let our family take care of your family.
Factors That Contribute to Drunk Driving Incidents
Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of drunk driving accidents:
- Late-night hours: A high number of alcohol-related crashes take place during late-night hours, which often coincide with bar closings and increased alcohol consumption.
- Young drivers: Drivers with less experience behind the wheel are often more likely to be involved in drunk driving accidents.
- High BAC levels: Many individuals arrested for driving while drunk have BAC levels well above the legal limit, which indicates a high degree of impairment at the time of the accident.
Don’t worry about trying to determine the cause of the crash that left you injured. Instead, reach out to a Dallas personal injury lawyer with experience in determining fault and holding responsible parties accountable for the damage they caused.
How Comparative Fault and Dram Shop Liability Relate to Texas Drunk Driving Accidents
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means a victim’s compensation may be reduced if they are found partially at fault for the accident. However, if you, as the victim of the crash, are determined to be more than 50% at fault, you’ll be barred from recovering damages.
Meanwhile, under the Texas Dram Shop Act, commercial establishments (such as bars and restaurants) can be held liable for serving alcohol to an obviously intoxicated individual who then goes on to cause a motor vehicle accident.
To establish liability, your drunk driving accident lawyers in Dallas will need to prove that the establishment served alcohol to a person who was visibly intoxicated. Your lawyer will also need to show that this action directly led to the accident.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in Dallas?
Victims of drunk driving accidents in Texas may be entitled to recover a wide range of damages depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the crash. Compensation generally falls into three categories: economic, non–economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are intended to cover the measurable financial losses you have suffered as a direct result of the accident. These may include:
- Lost wages: If your injuries have prevented you from returning to work, you may be entitled to recover the income you have lost during your recovery period.
- Loss of earning capacity: In cases involving serious or permanent injuries, you may also be able to recover compensation for the impact the accident has had on your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Property damage: You may recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Any additional costs directly tied to the accident, such as transportation to medical appointments or home care services, may also be recoverable.
- Medical expenses: This includes all current and future medical costs related to your injuries, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and long-term rehabilitation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that do not come with a clear price tag but are no less real or significant. These may include:
- Emotional distress: Drunk driving accidents can leave lasting psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disturbances.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries have prevented you from participating in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for that loss.
- Loss of consortium: Serious injuries can strain relationships with spouses and family members, and compensation may be available for those impacts as well.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the at-fault driver acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard for the safety of others (as is often the case in drunk driving accidents), the court may also award punitive damages.
Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. An experienced Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer can help you understand which types of compensation may be available in your specific case.
The Role of Insurance Companies in Drunk Driving Claims
Victims of drunk driving accidents often face major challenges when it comes to the insurance claims process. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize their payouts, dispute the extent of your injuries, and delay or complicate the claims process.
This can be particularly frustrating for victims who are already dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial hardships. Ensuring that the at-fault driver’s insurance policy can adequately cover the damages is often a primary issue in these claims.
Minimum Liability Insurance in Texas
In Texas, all drivers are required to carry minimum liability insurance, but minimum limits may fall far short of the actual costs in serious drunk driving accidents. This is especially common in cases where multiple people are injured, the injuries are severe, or long-term care is required.
Additionally, since insurers are businesses, their primary goal is to protect their bottom line. Adjusters may contact you shortly after the crash to obtain a recorded statement or push you toward a settlement that does not fully account for your injuries. Thus, victims might need to explore alternative sources of compensation, such as:
- Underinsured motorist coverage: If the at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages, your own underinsured motorist coverage may help bridge the gap.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Texas drivers have the option to carry PIP coverage, which can help cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault.
- Lawsuit against the intoxicated driver: Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows you to pursue full and fair compensation beyond what insurance policies may provide, including punitive damages in cases of gross negligence.
Having an experienced Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer in your corner can make a significant difference in how insurance companies handle your claim.
Our attorneys know the tactics insurers use to undervalue cases, and we are prepared to push back aggressively to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Have you been involved
in an accident?
(310) 526-8383
Legal Liability in Dallas Drunk Driving Accidents
Establishing legal liability in a drunk driving accident involves more than simply pointing to the intoxicated driver. While the drunk driver is almost always the primary at-fault party, Texas law allows victims to pursue compensation from multiple liable parties depending on the circumstances of the crash, such as:
- The drunk driver: The most direct source of liability is the intoxicated driver themselves. To hold them accountable, your attorney will need to demonstrate that they were operating their vehicle while impaired and that their impairment directly caused the accident and your resulting injuries.
- Commercial establishments under the Dram Shop Act: As discussed above, bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol vendors can be held liable under the Texas Dram Shop Act if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident.
- Social hosts: In some circumstances, private individuals who provided alcohol to a guest who later caused a drunk driving accident may also face liability, particularly if the guest was a minor at the time.
Identifying all potentially liable parties is one of the most important steps in building a strong drunk driving accident claim. The more parties that can be held accountable, the greater the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Our Dallas drunk driving accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that every responsible party is identified and held accountable for the harm they caused.
Wrongful Death Claims in DWI Accidents
When a DWI accident causes a tragic loss of life, surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. Under Texas law, these claims allow eligible relatives of the deceased (such as their spouse, children, and parents) to seek compensation.
This type of financial support is designed to help compensate family members for the emotional and financial toll of losing a loved one. In many cases, they can recover the following damages:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
Filing a wrongful death claim serves several important purposes. Not only does it offer financial relief for family members who depended on the deceased, but it also yields civil accountability for the at-fault driver separate from criminal charges.
Wrongful Death Claims Require Significant Proof
Families are able to work toward justice and closure for the loss they suffered following their loved one’s death as well. However, wrongful death claims often require the collection of strong evidence, such as the following:
- Police reports
- Toxicology results
- Eyewitness testimony
Although no amount of money can truly replace a lost loved one, a successful wrongful death claim can help alleviate financial burdens and honor the memory of the deceased. For more information about wrongful death claims, contact our Dallas drunk driving accident attorneys.
Contact Our Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys as Soon as Possible for Legal Advice and Advocacy
If you or someone you love was injured in a drunk driving collision, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. This is an experience that can leave you feeling overwhelmed in countless ways, and fortunately, help is available.
Reach out to Omega Law Group today. Our drunk driving accident lawyers in Dallas have what it takes to handle your case and advocate for your rights. You deserve compensation, and we can help you go after it.
Don’t wait to call us for help. The sooner you call our Dallas drunk driving accident law firm, the sooner we can meet with you and take the first step toward holding the at-fault parties accountable. Let our family take care of your family. Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
