AUSTIN, Texas. Drunk driving kills. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration drunk driving accidents kill approximately 10,000 people each year. Those who survive drunk driving accidents can find themselves facing a long road to recovery, serious injuries, and major lifestyle changes. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to seek damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The car accident attorneys at the Robson Law Firm in Austin, Texas work closely with victims and families, helping them seek damages for their losses after these crashes. Yet, is a drunk driver automatically at fault for a crash? What do you need to do to show that a drunk driver was at fault?
Drunk driving is against the law. If a person is found guilty of driving while under the influence, he or she can face jail time, fines, and other serious consequences. In most cases, victims of drunk drivers only need to show that a person was intoxicated to a level that violated the state’s DUI laws in order to win a personal injury case or to show that the driver’s insurance is responsible for the claim. However, if the drunk driver can show that you were also negligent (for example, if you were also drunk or under the influence), the case can get complex. Another situation where the case can get complex is if you hit the drunk driver from the rear. However, even in this case, it may be possible to show that the other driver was behaving erratically (such as stopping suddenly or swerving into your lane without giving you time to react).
In general, if you were following the law and the other driver was drunk, you’ll likely be able to make a claim against the other driver’s insurance and also possibly sue the driver for negligence for damages not covered by insurance. In some cases, victims may also be able to sue the store or bar where the alcohol was purchased under “dram shop laws.” According to the Charlotte Observer, a mother of two daughters is suing a bar where a man drank until his blood alcohol limit reached 0.25. Bar owners have a responsibility to stop serving customers when they become visibly drunk. According to reports, the man fell asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle and when he woke up, decided to drive. He killed two young women in a wrong-way collision.
Drunk driving accidents can be devastating. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a drunk driving crash, contact the Robson Law Firm, a car accident attorney in Austin, Texas today. Our drunk driving lawyers may be able to help you seek justice for your loved ones. By holding drunk drivers accountable, we send a strong message that drinking and driving will cost you, and that it won’t be tolerated in our community.
Robson Law Firm
1114 Lost Creek Boulevard
Suite 440
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 345-8200