Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been hit and seriously injured by a drunk driver in Dallas or anywhere in Texas? Our experienced and knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyers are available 24/7 for a free case evaluation. Contact us to discuss your options.

When a drunk driver injures you, it's not enough to know that the perpetrator has been held criminally liable for his reckless behavior--you have bills to pay. The drunk driving accident attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm will hold the drunk driver (and their insurance carrier) financially responsible for all of your losses, including medical bills, lost work, and pain and suffering.

Someone in the United States is injured in a drunk driving accident every two minutes. Texas, in particular, suffers from a dubious claim to fame--2016 saw over 3,700 traffic deaths, more than any other state, and drunk drivers claimed nearly 1,000 of these lives. Many of the victims were 100 percent sober when the accident occurred. Additionally, about one-third of all drunk driving accidents are committed by repeat offenders, which shows that existing criminal penalties are not strong enough to serve as an effective deterrent.

The unfortunate truth is that drivers who enter the roadway with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit continue to cause severe harm to other drivers sharing the road. This type of negligent behavior leads to thousands of injuries and countless deaths in Texas annually.

Common Injuries From Drunk Driving Accidents

Every year, drunk drivers across Texas cause serious injuries to numerous innocent drivers on the road. Although no two drunk driving accidents are alike, many similar injuries are reported annually as a result of these life-altering accidents every year. Some common injuries that victims suffer from in drunk driving accident cases include:

Broken bones: Suffering a broken bone due to a drunk driving accident can be devastating. Due to these accidents, victims often experience broken arms, legs, or even collarbones. In severe cases, these injuries can require surgery and several months of therapy and rehabilitation.

Loss of limbs: Losing a limb can be incredibly challenging to overcome. Victims who experience these injuries are often forced out of work and have their lives severely altered. These injuries can result in overwhelming pain and suffering, both mentally and physically, and impact nearly every aspect of a victim's life.

Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are debilitating and life-changing injuries for victims. SCIs can result in paralysis, which can mean the loss of the use of both legs (paraplegia) or the loss of the use of both arms and both legs (quadriplegia). These injuries can be permanent or temporary, depending on whether the injury was complete (a complete sever to the spinal cord) or incomplete (some signals still get through to the area of the body below the point of impact). Either way, these injuries require extensive care and assistance.

Severe cuts and lacerations: There are many injury cases where victims suffer severe cuts and lacerations. In some instances, these injuries can result in extreme nerve and muscle damage, as well as permanent scarring and disfigurements. Cuts and lacerations can cause both physical and emotional harm.

Traumatic brain injuries: A drunk driving accident victim who suffers a traumatic brain injury will most likely experience some cognitive impairment, making it difficult to return to work or school. In some cases, the injured party may require long-term care and assistance with daily activities. Physical and occupational therapy are often necessary to help the victim regain functioning and independence.

Road rash: Given the nature of this injury, road rash is typical for drunk-driving crashes that involve pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. It can also occur in accidents where the victim is ejected from their vehicle. These injuries are generally caused by the body sliding across the ground surface. Road rash is excruciating and can result in severe scarring and permanent disfigurements. In some cases, road rash injuries can become infected.

Psychological trauma: Psychological trauma can be just as devastating as physical injuries. Victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other emotional issues. The psychological effects of a car accident can last for years and make it difficult for the victim to return to their normal life.

Types of Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving is a serious problem that can have life-altering consequences. It's estimated that nearly 30 people lose their lives every day due to drunk driving accidents in the United States. In Dallas, drunk driving accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of serious injuries or death.

There are several types of accidents that an intoxicated driver can cause. Some of the most common drunk driving crash types include:

• Rollover Accidents: When drivers are intoxicated, they are more likely to lose control of their motor vehicle and roll it over. These accidents often result in serious injuries or even death.
• Wrong-way accidents: This type of drunk driving accident often occurs when a driver goes the wrong way down a one-way street or highway. These accidents often involve head-on impact and typically occur at a high rate of speed, which drastically increases the likelihood of serious injuries.
• Head-on collisions: Drunk drivers are more likely to lose control of their motor vehicle and cause head-on collisions with other vehicles on the road. This is often because alcohol can cause impaired vision, delayed reaction time, and impaired judgment. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause a drunk driving accident, resulting in serious injuries.
• Sideswipe accidents: A sideswipe accident is a type of drunk driving accident where the driver swerves into oncoming traffic or another vehicle. Drunk drivers cannot often keep their vehicles in the correct lane.
• Rear-end accidents: When a driver is impaired by alcohol, their reaction time and ability to make split-second decisions are severely compromised. This can lead to devastating consequences if they are operating a vehicle. Not being able to stop in time to avoid striking a motor vehicle ahead can result in a severe collision.
• Single-vehicle accidents: A single-vehicle accident is when only one vehicle is involved in an accident. This type of collision can occur when a drunk driver loses control of their vehicle and crashes into a tree, pole, or another object on the road ahead. Single-vehicle accidents can also occur due to a drunk driver falling asleep at the wheel. Falling asleep due to intoxication can cause the drunk driver's motor vehicle to go off the roadway and overturn.
• Multi-vehicle accidents: These are some of the most devastating types of drunk driving accidents. When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, they are more likely to strike one or more vehicles sharing the road. This is typically because alcohol impairs a driver's ability to make sound decisions while behind the wheel. As a result, they may not stop in time to avoid striking another motor vehicle at a red light or stop sign or in a congested area.
• T-Bone accident: Drunk drivers are likelier to run red lights at intersections or even blow through stop signs. They are also more likely to fail to yield the right of way to other vehicles. This puts other drivers at risk for a collision, especially at busy intersections. When drunk drivers fail to stop while traveling through intersections, they are likely to crash into the sides of vehicles that do have the right of way. Although these car accidents are more common at intersections, they are also prevalent in parking lots and on roads with private driveways with vehicles exiting.

Any drunk driving accident can have serious consequences for those involved. Many drunk driving accident victims are left with severe injuries that completely alter their lives.

If you have been harmed as a result of a Dallas drunk driving accident, you must seek legal representation right away. You may have legal options available to help you move forward. A Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer from Rasanksy Law Firm can help guide you through the drunk driving accident claim process and fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact our Texas law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation to determine the best course of action moving forward.

Six steps you need to take immediately after a drunk driving accident:

• Call 911 and have them send emergency medical services to the scene of the accident. You want law enforcement to respond to the scene of the accident and create a report. This information can be critical in proving who the responsible parties are for the drunk driving accident.
• Take photos of the accident scene, including skid marks, the locations of the vehicles involved, and other details. Document details such as injuries, damages to your car, and damage to guardrails. Information and evidence gathered from the scene can be some of the most critical information in your case. You must gather evidence thoroughly, as it can disappear rapidly once you leave the scene.
• Obtain eyewitness testimony using your phone to record audio or video evidence. You must gather the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident take place. Our team at Rasansky Law Firm may want to reach out to each witness for further information and testimony while we build your case.
• Do not try to move victims if you see that they are seriously injured. Do your best to keep them comfortable until medical help arrives. Moving an injured victim can make injuries worse. For this reason, you must secure the area but refrain from touching them.
• Seek medical help for yourself promptly. Retain all medical records because you may need them later. You must undergo a thorough medical evaluation to determine the extent of injuries you suffered. When filing a personal injury case, you must have evidence of your injuries and the medical care you require when seeking compensation for injury-related expenses.
• Contact a Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible. After your crash, it is crucial that you have the strongest case possible when trying to make a financial recovery for your damages. Having the help of a skilled and knowledgeable Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer can make a big difference when it comes to proving your case and getting justice.

Do not speak to anyone asking you about the accident's details. Most of the time, this will be an insurance company trying to offer you an unfair settlement or trick you into saying something that hurts your case. Refer all inquiries to your lawyer.

A Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer can guide you through the Texas civil compensation maze so that you can recover compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other tangible or intangible losses you may have suffered. We will seek compensation from the drunk driver and, under certain circumstances, a third party, such as an alcohol vendor or social host, who provided the driver with alcohol.

Damages You Can Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident

You will likely face towering financial consequences if you have been injured in a drunk driving accident. For this reason, you can file a personal injury claim to recover financially.

A drunk driving accident victim may recover compensation for some of the financial damages they face. Our team at Rasansky Law Firm is committed to helping injured victims secure the maximum financial compensation for their drunk driving accident cases. We will pursue compensation on your behalf to ensure you have the money needed for:

Lost wages: If you've been injured in a drunk driving accident, you may miss time from work as you recover. We will help you recover lost wages so you can focus on your recovery.

Medical expenses: We will help you recover any medical expenses incurred due to the accident. This can include recovering compensation for your medical bills, future medical expenses, and even money to cover the medication or medical treatment you require. Whatever medical expenses you have, our drunk driving accident lawyers will fight to ensure you get the money you need.

Vehicle repair expenses: If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident, we will help you get compensated for those losses. You can recover the money to replace your vehicle or fix the damage that was done to it as a result of the crash. Either way, our team will fight to ensure you can secure the maximum compensation for this damage.

Pain and suffering: You may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries. These non-economic damages can include both physical and emotional anguish.

Loss of consortium: Loss of consortium damages are intended to compensate an injured spouse for the loss of companionship and affection they have suffered due to the injuries that the drunk driver caused their spouse or significant other.

Lost earning capacity: This type of damage is meant to cover the loss of future earnings that you would have otherwise earned if not for the accident. To prove lost earning capacity, our drunk driving accident lawyers will work with financial experts who can determine the amount of lost earnings you face based on your chances of being promoted, your level of education, and various other factors.

In some cases, you may be able to recover punitive damages as well. These non-economic damages are designed to punish the drunk driver for engaging in such reckless actions to prevent them and other drivers from engaging in these senseless and reckless actions in the future.

If you have been harmed in a car accident due to a drunk driver, contact our team today to get started on your drunk driving accident claim right away. Our personal injury lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm can meet with you for a free consultation at your earliest convenience to determine what economic, non-economic, and punitive damages you may be entitled to.

Recovering Compensation for Loss of Quality of Life

In addition to the damages listed above, our team is committed to helping drunk driving accident victims recover the maximum amount of compensation possible for the loss of quality of life.

Loss of quality of life is a type of damage that can be difficult to quantify. It includes things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. While there is no set formula for calculating these damages, juries will often consider the following factors:

• The severity of the injury: How long will it take to recover? Will there be any long-term effects?
• The age of the victim: A younger victim may be more likely to suffer greater emotional distress and have a longer recovery period.
• The victim's lifestyle: An active person who enjoys outdoor activities may suffer greater hardship from an injury that prevents them from doing those things.
• Whether the victim was working at the time of the accident: If the victim was employed, they may be able to recover lost wages and damages for loss of earning potential if the injury prevents them from returning to work or advancing in their career.
• The effect on relationships: An injured person may suffer strain on their relationships with their spouse, children, and other family members. The jury will consider how this has impacted their life.

Reach out to our Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer immediately to schedule a free consultation. Our team at Rasansky Law Firm will build the strongest case possible on your behalf and fight for fair compensation against the drunk driver who caused your pain and suffering.

Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents

There are many instances where victims end up passing away due to the injuries they suffer from in auto accidents with intoxicated drivers. If your loved one has died, you must seek the assistance of our dedicated legal team at Rasansky Law Firm. Our team can help you file a wrongful death claim against the drunk driver to ensure they are held liable for their actions.

A wrongful death claim can help your family recover compensation for various damage you face. In addition to the aforementioned damages, after the loss of a family member, surviving relatives can demand compensation for:

• Burial and funeral expenses: When a drunk driver causes a fatal accident, the surviving family members may be able to recover funeral and burial expenses from the driver or the driver's insurance company.
• Loss of services: If you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash, you may be able to recover damages for the loss of their services. These damages are generally awarded to cover the loss of services that the decedent provided to the household they are no longer alive to perform, such as housekeeping, repairs, and more.
• Loss of companionship: The loss of consortium is often one damage that surviving family members recover. This can include compensation for the loss of companionship, loss of compassion, loss of parental guidance, or loss of emotional support.

Reaching out to our Texas law firm as soon as possible can help to ensure you have the strongest case possible for seeking compensation for the damages you face.

MADD Approved Attorneys

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is an organization that seeks stiffer penalties for drunk drivers and supports victims of drunken driving accidents. Rasansky Law Firm's founder Jeff Rasansky is a MADD-approved attorney for Texas DWI accident victims. Rasansky Law Firm is proud to support MADD in its mission to stop drunk driving and support the victims of this criminal behavior by encouraging legislative changes that will make Texas roads safer for everyone. Legislation can go a long way in ensuring that all loopholes are closed and that repeat offenders are taken off the road.

The Role of Bars and Restaurants in Drunk Driving Accidents

Were you a passenger in a car where the driver was negligently served too much alcohol? Was your child killed after being over-served at a bar? Drunk driving accidents don't happen in a vacuum--the social environment plays a significant role. In Texas, bars, clubs, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol can be held liable for a drunk driving accident if they continue serving an obviously intoxicated individual who later causes an accident. This type of liability is commonly referred to as "dram shop liability."

Serving alcohol is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right, which is why a license is required in the first place. To serve alcohol in Texas, establishments agree to follow the rules set by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which explicitly states when vendors are obligated by law to stop serving alcohol to a patron. Breaking these rules leads to dram shop liability in favor of the victim of any accident caused by the drunken patron.

If a drunk driver has hit you and you sustained serious injuries, you are likely to have a viable personal injury claim. If you or a loved one were injured in a single-vehicle accident with a drunk driver after being negligently served alcohol to excess, you may have a first-party liquor liability claim against the bar that sold alcohol negligently. In the unfortunate event that the accident was fatal, you may also have a wrongful death claim.

What You Should Know About Texas Drunk Driving Laws

In Texas, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while drunk. The state considers the act of driving while intoxicated as the act of operating a vehicle on any public road or highway with a blood alcohol concentration that 0.08% or above. The BAC of a driver is generally determined through testing, such as:

• A blood test
• A urine test
• A breathalyzer test

These tests are typically performed on a driver immediately after arrest, or a crash occurs.

There are also instances where drivers with a BAC level under the legal limit can still be convicted of a crime. Drivers who are impaired in any way as a result of alcohol can still face charges of driving while intoxicated or DWI. These convictions are generally based on drivers consuming alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. So long as it resulted in some impairment, mentally or physically.

Some general signs of impairment include:

• Glassy or red eyes
• The odor of alcohol on the driver's breath
• Slurred speech

A driver who is impaired may engage in careless driving patterns. These include:

• Driving too slow
• Drifting between lanes
• Speeding
• Driving on the opposite side of the road
• Running red lights or stop signs

Additionally, if a driver under 21 years old consumes any alcohol before operating their vehicle, they can be charged with driving while under the influence.

Knowing our state's drunk driving laws can greatly help your case. However, it is still in your best interest to seek legal representation from a Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you have the best chance of getting justice.

Have Questions? Call Us for Free

If a drunk driver has hit you in Texas, you need stellar legal representation to secure enough compensation for you to heal and rebuild your life. Call Rasansky Law Firm today at (214) 651-6100 for a free case evaluation with one of our highly qualified and experienced Texas drunk driving accident attorneys. We look forward to helping you get the justice you deserve.