If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team of attorneys at Portner Bond, PLLC will stop at nothing in our efforts to give you the best representation possible. Driving while intoxicated is a prime example of negligence and those who demonstrate this negligence will always be brought to justice. Our firm gives you experienced legal counsel that you can trust and rely on. Call us at (409) 838-4444 for a free consultation, and we can discuss the best way to proceed with your case.
Why You Need a Lawyer
In these types of cases, an attorney is essential, as they can help significantly in using all of the evidence that is available to prove the other driver’s negligence. In drunk driving cases, it is essential to note the distinction between criminal charges assessed against the driver and a civil claim. The State of Texas handles criminal cases, and the goal is to bring justice to drivers who are intoxicated and breaking the law.
These cases can lead to fines being assessed, and the drunk driver being ordered to serve a sentence. However, these cases are not concerned with gaining rightful compensation for the victims of an accident. The process of filing a civil claim against the driver is different, and in this case, your attorney will direct all of their efforts toward providing you compensation for all of your physical, emotional, and financial damages.
A particular challenge of drunk driving cases is that the possible criminal case often takes precedence over civil claims assessed against the driver. Along with this, if a criminal case against the driver is still in progress, they retain the option to refuse to testify in a deposition until it is resolved. An attorney who is experienced in these types of cases is familiar with this situation and can still provide competent assistance to their client.
An experienced drunk driving accident attorney can also help you identify any potentially liable parties. In a drunk driving crash, other parties (other than the driver) could also be at fault. There is a set of laws that are made to address this issue known as dram shop liability. This allows a victim of a drunk driving accident to take legal action against both the drunk driver and the bar or establishment that served them before the crash. An attorney who is familiar with this set of laws and other relevant details of these types of cases can help greatly. They can focus on building the best possible case on your behalf, and you can rest easy knowing that you have a solid chance of gaining the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose U
s?
s?Our team of attorneys at Portner Bond, PLLC have a proven track record and reputation for successfully helping our clients get the justice and compensation they’re owed. We understand the devastation that can result from a car accident caused by a drunk driver and the responsibility that comes with helping our clients gain compensation and bring justice to the negligence of others. We prepare for every case as if it were going to trial because we want to maintain the same level of aggressive, committed representation to all of our clients. When pursuing your right to compensation, we meticulously consider everything in the investigation that could strengthen your case. We are not intimidated by insurance companies, and we will show with our determination that we will not back down from our goal of getting you the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving is an example of blatant disregard for the laws of the road as well as for the safety of others. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a driver who was intoxicated, our attorneys will seek the maximum amount of compensation possible for you. You could be entitled to collect the following from the negligent driver:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Reimbursement for travel costs associated with treatment
- Lost wages from time missed from work
- Loss of future earnings (if disabled)
- Repairs or replacement of damaged or destroyed property (i.e., your vehicle and other personal property)
- Other financial losses associated with the crash
Along with the economic damages listed above, you could be eligible to recover non-economic damages including:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental anguish or post-traumatic stress
If you lost a loved one in a collision caused by a drunk driver, you and other eligible family members could file a wrongful death action against them. This could help you recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of emotional and financial support, and other damages.
Be sure to discuss the specifics of your case with an experienced car accident attorney and get a thorough evaluation of your case. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what types of compensation you could be owed and will work diligently to get you the justice and full compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents
We know that you likely have questions about your rights and legal options if you’ve been hurt by a drunk driver. To help you better understand these claims, we’ve provided a list of frequently asked questions, and we’re available any time to speak with you about the specifics of your case when you call (409) 838-4444 to speak with a knowledgeable member of our team.
If I was the passenger in a vehicle where the driver is drunk and gets in an accident that causes me to be injured, can I sue them?
Yes. If you’re hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver who was driving you, you could still seek compensation for injuries suffered as a result of their negligence. Also, if your driver was overserved alcohol at a bar, restaurant, or party, you could sue the business or host of the party, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
What are my options for compensation if I am involved in an accident with a drunk driver who has no insurance?
In this situation, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the available options. You may pursue the benefits offered by your uninsured motorist coverage if it is a part of your car insurance policy. In this case, it is an excellent idea to let your attorney communicate with your insurance company on your behalf to make sure that you get the full amount you’re owed.
Another option is to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver. One thing to consider, however, is that many people don’t have sufficient assets to pay back what is owed, which means that it might be difficult to recover any compensation from them.
Of course, there is a possibility that the bar or establishment that served the drunk driver before the accident may be held liable under Texas’ Dram Shop law. One more avenue of compensation that may be available is by filing a claim under Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund if the other options for gaining compensation do not fully pay you what you are owed. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that most claims have a limit of $50,000 and under these claims, you are only entitled to be compensated for reasonable expenses such as medical bills and lost wages.
Do criminal actions against a drunk driver have to be resolved before a civil suit can be filed?
Even though the intoxicated driver will likely face criminal penalties for their actions, you do not have to wait until the criminal case is resolved to file an injury claim against them. It’s also important to note that even if they are found not guilty or if they accept a plea for a lesser charge, they could still be held liable in your civil case. The two legal actions are entirely separate from each other and have no bearing on the outcome of the other.
Contact us
The Beaumont drunk driving accident attorneys of Portner Bond, PLLC are here to help you hold the negligent driver accountable for the harm they’ve caused you. No one should ever get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, and if they do and cause an injury accident, you have the right to pursue compensation from them.
Call us to schedule a free consultation at (409) 838-4444 or reach out to us online. We are ready to stand up and fight for you, so don’t wait any longer to get the justice you deserve.