Drunk driving car accidents in Bedford are unfortunately common. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), nearly 1,000 people die in these accidents each year. The number of severe injuries that result from drunk driving accidents in the state is even more significant.
When drunk drivers cause serious injuries, they face many consequences. In addition to criminal charges, they could also be liable in civil court. Let a skilled car crash attorney advise you on your legal options following an accident with a drunk driver.
Drunk Driving is Negligent
There is little doubt that driving while intoxicated is a negligent act. When intoxicated driving leads to a vehicle collision in Bedford, the injured party has the right to seek fair compensation. Like any personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must show that the other driver was negligent.
There are four elements to negligence, each of which the injured party must prove in court. Failing to prove even one of these elements could result in the end of their compensation claim.
Duty of Care
The first—and most basic—element of negligence in drunk driving cases is the duty of care. This is not a difficult element to prove, as all drivers have an obligation to operate their vehicles safely.
Breach of the Duty of Care
Often, the most contentious element of negligence is determining when a driver violated the duty of care, which includes drunk driving.
Causation
The link between driving drunk and injuries is known as causation. For the defendant to be liable for injuries caused in a crash, there must be a causal link between the two.
Damages
The final element that injured people must meet is compensable damages. To recover compensation, a person involved in an accident with a drunk driver must show they sustained financial, emotional, or physical damages in the crash. These damages could come in the form of medical bills or physical pain.
For a free legal consultation, call (817) 775-5364
What Can an Injured Person Recover After a Drunk Driving Car Wreck?
Anyone in Bedford injured in a drunk driving vehicle wreck could be entitled to different monetary damages. There are several different examples, and they each all into one of two broad categories. The categories of compensation for drunk driving injury claims include economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses are the measurable financial losses that stem from a car crash. This type of compensation aims to help the injured party regain the financial standing they were in before the drunk driver hit them. Examples of economic losses include lost wages, medical expenses, or rehabilitation costs.
Non-economic damages cover all the subjective losses that cannot be easily measured with invoices, bills, or other documentary evidence. While non-economic losses might be difficult to measure, recovering this type of compensation is still possible. The most common type of non-economic damages includes pain and suffering.
Bedford Drunk Driver Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Speak With a Capable Attorney in Bedford About Your Drunk Driver Accident Today
You may have a viable case for compensation when you are hurt in a drunk driving car accident in Bedford. Your hardworking attorney could help you evaluate your case, advise you of your options, and pursue the avenue that is most likely to result in a fair compensation award. Contact our experienced legal team members right away to schedule a confidential consultation.
Call (817) 775-5364 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form