When a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle intoxicated or impaired, even with just a few drinks, they put the lives of others on the line. While illegal, it is also devastating to the victims involved.
At The Texas Law Dog, founded in 2018, our San Marcos car accident lawyers make those responsible for these accidents pay for your losses. Hire a drunk driver accident lawyer in San Marcos from our team to discuss your options. You pay us nothing upfront.
Why You Need a Drunk Driver Accident Attorney in San Marcos
Victims of drunk driving accidents deserve legal support throughout their case, but they do not always get fair treatment without legal representation. When you choose your own attorney, you gain an advocate dedicated to supporting you throughout this process. Consider these reasons to hire a drunk driving accident attorney in San Marcos:
- Your losses are extensive. Many drunk driving accident cases carry a tremendous need for damage recovery. Victims suffer serious injuries and catastrophic losses. You deserve legal support through this process.
- Criminal charges are not enough. The police will prove that a DUI occurred and press criminal charges. Criminal charges alone do not compensate victims for their injuries. You may also need to pursue a separate civil claim to recover damages.
- Other parties could be at fault. Sometimes a third party may be at fault, which may increase your access to liability coverage and protect more of your claim.
The Texas Law Dog brings years of experience and dedication to your case. Our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we will fight to protect your rights as well. Schedule a free consultation with our San Marcos personal injury lawyer to explore your rights.
Understanding Dram Shop Laws in Texas
One way we may be able to seek additional compensation for you is to demonstrate that a third party, as well as the driver, was at fault for your injuries. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, a third party can be held accountable for the actions of those to whom they serve alcohol in various situations. This includes restaurants, bars, and retailers. However, very strict requirements are applicable:
- There were obvious signs of intoxication or that the person was a clear danger to themselves or others.
- The intoxication caused the accident. We must demonstrate that the patron’s intoxication was at least a substantial factor in causing the accident.
- The patron was served alcohol while under the age of 21. If this applies, the vendor is liable even if there were no obvious signs of intoxication.
There are limitations to these rules, and these cases are often difficult to prove. Our extensive experience allows us to help you recover these losses if they apply to you. Before you settle, let us find out if anyone else is at fault.
Can Someone Sue a Social Host
The dram shop laws in Texas do not typically allow a social host to face liability claims if they serve alcohol to a guest at their home, and that guest goes on to cause injury to others.
However, if they knowingly provided alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 in a non-commercial setting, they could be held accountable. The law does not allow actions against social hosts for adults who decide to drink and drive.
Contact our San Marcos personal injury lawyers now.
How We Build Your Drunk Driving Accident Case
Our skilled legal team goes to work for you immediately to determine who is at fault and what they owe you. One of the core components of this process is gathering evidence, which is not always easy to get. Many victims of these accidents are rushed to the hospital, and they never know what caused the accident.
To determine if alcohol was a factor, expect our legal team to take the following steps:
- Use the police report as a starting point. If police suspected intoxication, they may have run tests to determine the person’s blood alcohol concentration.
- Seek medical records. We may seek medical records from the hospital that demonstrate impairment if there is evidence to believe it was likely.
- Talk to witnesses who saw the driver before or after the accident, slurring their words, unable to walk straight, or at a local bar.
- Surveillance video from local restaurants and bars may be sought to demonstrate that the vendor knew or should have known the patron was intoxicated and still served them.
- Accident reconstruction videos that demonstrate what occurred based on forensic evidence at the scene.
It is often a combination of these factors that allows us to seek legal action against those at fault. Let our drunk-driving accident attorney in San Marcos review your evidence. We can provide you with clarity on your legal options and rights.
What Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim Is Worth
The value of a drunk driving accident is often far more than just medical bills. Yet, many victims do not realize that, and they allow themselves to settle for far less than they should. Your claim likely includes losses such as:
- Medical expenses from the accident
- Loss of income and earning capacity
- Property damage for the repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Pain and suffering from the incident and throughout the recovery process
- Mental anguish for the onset of depression, anxiety, and trauma from the incident
Our experience, along with our compassion for you, ensures you know all your rights. We do not just settle your claim. We fight for what is right in your accident. We do so without charging you anything upfront for our services.
Request a Free Consultation with a San Marcos Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer Now
If you suspect a drunk driver caused your accident, do not simply settle your case. Instead, let our team at The Texas Law Dog work to build your claim. Our San Marcos drunk driver accident attorney can answer your questions and fight for your rights.
