Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Injured By A Drunk Driver in Houston?

We all have a responsibility to know when enough is enough. Drunk driving (DUI, also known as DWI) is one of the top causes of car accidents in Houston and throughout the state, and the real shame is that it is entirely preventable. Not only is drunk driving foolish and irresponsible, it is against the law. Alcohol consumption contributes to thousands of accidents in Texas annually, and these accidents can be extremely serious to those involved. In addition to physical injuries (brain injury, crush injuries, amputations, etc.), injuries caused by a drunk driver can result in additional issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder.

When a drunk driver injures you, the law is on your side—recoveries in these types of cases can be unusually large—but only if handled by an experienced Houston drunk driving accident lawyer.

If you suffered injuries because of a drunk driver, do not wait to discuss your rights with a skilled Houston drunk driving accident lawyer. You may be injured, you may have questions about “what to do next,” and you may not even know where to start.

Our Houston drunk driving lawyers offer a FREE consultation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is NO cost to get a free consultation right now. If you decide to hire us, you pay us nothing up front, and you will pay absolutely nothing at all unless and until we’ve won your case.

Houston Drunk Driving Accident Guide

Why Take Chances? Let Us Help You!
Schedule a Free Virtual Visit 866-720-7920 or Send us a Message Today

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Since establishing our headquarters in Houston, Texas in 1999, our firm has grown to numerous locations across the country, including hubs in Dallas, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Along the way, we’ve built a trusted network of partners throughout all 50 states who share our values and our commitment to excellence.

**No matter where you are, it’s our mission to insure that you have the finest representation for your case.**

Reach out now to learn more about how we can help.

Why Choose Our Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers?

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Why should you choose our Houston drunk driving accident lawyers over others?

  • Stewart Guss and his team believe in integrity and family values.
  • Our attorneys and staff will always be there for you.
  • We know that in addition to your physical injuries, emotional symptoms can include rage, anxiety, and helplessness.
  • With decades of combined experience, Stewart Guss and his team will work tirelessly to recover as much as possible on your drunk driving, DUI, or DWI injury claim.
  • And you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case!

Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (866) 959-0975, or contact us now by CLICKING HERE.

Choose a Houston DWI Accident Attorney with Strength and Experience

After a drunk driving accident in Houston, you need someone on your side quickly. While law enforcement is focused on the criminal aspects of your accident, you will need a lawyer who will go to work for you to protect your rights to full and complete compensation. Our Houston drunk driving attorneys know that these cases are often complex. That is why we work quickly to gather the evidence needed to prove liability and win your case.

You may also have additional claims against those who served the driver the alcohol under the Dram Shop law, or against those who entrusted the driver with the vehicle. Because of the complex, emotionally draining nature of drunk driving accident cases, you need a strong yet approachable attorney on your side.

If your life was damaged by a drunk driver, call the attorneys at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers and talk about it. Do not sign anything until you speak with us, because you risk losing some or all of the compensation to which you are entitled.

Stewart Guss and his team will do everything possible to obtain the best possible recovery on your claim, and we take pride in treating our clients like family. To schedule a free case evaluation with the personal injury attorneys of Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, call today at 866-959-0975 or send us an email through our online contact form. Remember—you pay us nothing up front when we take your case, and you pay us nothing unless and until we’ve won your recovery.

There’s no question about it—drunk driving is dangerous. Too many people underestimate their level of intoxication, and some even think they are “good” drunk drivers. But there is no such thing as a good drunk driver and every single person who drives while impaired puts everyone else on Houston’s roads at risk of harm.

While Houston law enforcement officers are often on the lookout for drunk drivers, they cannot catch all of them, and many cause harm before the authorities discover them. Many different erratic driving behaviors are common among drunk drivers, including:

  • Swaying or swerving out of designated lanes
  • Sudden and unnecessary braking
  • Exceeding or driving less than the speed limit
  • Failing to turn on lights or use turn signals
  • Driving the wrong way on one-way roads or highways
  • Failing to react to slowing traffic or obstacles
  • Ignoring traffic signals or stop signs

In general, alcohol significantly impairs the reflexes, attention, and reaction times of drunk drivers, which can lead them to crash in many different ways. No matter how they crash into another vehicle, the injuries that result can destroy lives.

If you suffered an injury in an accident with a drunk driver in Houston, you need a law firm on your side that understands the uphill battle you and your family may face. We can be there for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

A Personal Injury Claim vs. a Criminal DUI Charge

As mentioned above, if police decide that a driver is drunk, they will likely place the driver under arrest, and the driver may face charges of driving under the influence (DUI). Too many accident victims believe that once a criminal case begins, they do not have to take any independent action. However, criminal and civil drunk driving cases are different matters.

In a criminal case, the prosecutor is looking to impose penalties on the drunk driver such as a driver’s license suspension, fines, or even time in jail. Unfortunately, reimbursing any accident victims is often not a top priority in a criminal case. Even if a driver is convicted, chances are slim that a criminal court will award you any substantial compensation for your injury-related losses.

Instead, you will need to file your own claim seeking compensation, which can be through insurance companies or the civil courts, depending on the extent of your injuries and losses. This does not mean that the criminal case may not serve a role in your civil claim. In fact, if a DUI conviction is entered against the driver, your attorney can use that conviction to prove that the driver violated the law. This relieves much of your burden of proving negligence and liability in the accident, and the case will then focus on how much compensation you deserve.

A knowledgeable lawyer will know how to use the DUI conviction of another driver in your favor in a personal injury case. Even without a criminal conviction, lawyer Stewart Guss can gather and present evidence of the drunk driver’s liability. It is always worth discussing the possibility of financial recovery with our legal team.

What to Do if You Think a Drunk Driver in Houston Hit You

An accident can jar anyone, so it is no surprise that many accident victims are in shock and fail to take steps to protect their legal rights. You, however, can take these steps if you believe the driver who caused your accident was a drunk driver:

  • Note whether the driver seems impaired. Signs of intoxication can include stumbling, slurred speech, bloodshot or red and watery eyes, the odor of alcohol, and more.
  • Call the police after an accident—especially if you believe the other driver is a drunk driver. Officers can come to the scene and perform field sobriety tests, breath tests, and use other tactics to determine whether a driver is impaired or over the legal limit. If so, they will likely arrest the driver, and prosecutors can initiate a criminal case, which can assist in your own financial recovery after the crash.
  • If you require medical attention, this should be your first priority. If emergency medical technicians advise you to take an ambulance ride, do so to ensure that your physical condition is properly stabilized and monitored. Even if you do not need emergency transportation, getting your injuries diagnosed as soon as possible can help your physical recovery and increase any financial compensation to which you are entitled.
  • If you are waiting at the scene of the crash, make sure you get information from any other motorists involved or witnesses who saw the collision and stopped. The more information you can get, the better—and this includes photos of the cars and of the road conditions at the time of the crash.

Finally, once you have spoken with police, received necessary medical attention, and recovered from the shock of the accident, never put off calling a qualified Houston DWI accident attorney to learn about the best course of action in your situation.

Why Take Chances? Let Us Help You!
Schedule a Free Virtual Visit 866-720-7920 or Send us a Message Today

The Rights of Houston Drunk Driving Victims

Texas law provides rights for people who sustain injuries due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others. All drivers have the legal duty to drive in reasonably safe ways, and drunk driving is certainly a breach of that duty. When such a breach causes injuries to others, a driver is negligent and liable for all of the damages and injuries that result.

As a drunk driving victim, financial recovery is not automatic, however. Instead, accident victims need to take affirmative steps to seek the compensation they need and deserve for their injuries. That process can confuse people who are already dealing with the stress of recovering from injuries. For this reason, enlist the help of an experienced Houston drunk driving attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

An attorney can advise you of your rights as an injury victim, which may include:

  • The right to file an insurance claim with the drunk driver’s auto insurance company
  • The right to file a legal claim in civil court for personal injury
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In either case, you can seek compensation for losses that were a direct result of your accident-related injuries. These can include medical bills, such as from the emergency room, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor appointments, physical therapy, and the estimated costs of any future treatment you require. You can also seek compensation for lost income, which includes both wages already missed due to time off work as well as future lost earnings if your injuries affect your ability to work and earn a living as you once did. You also have the right to recover compensation for pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, and other intangible losses.

If you don’t understand all of your rights, you may accept a far smaller settlement offer than you deserve. Having the advice and assistance of a skilled accident lawyer can ensure that you fully exercise your rights and obtain the maximum amount possible based on your injuries and losses.

Types of Crashes Caused by Impaired Drivers

The erratic nature of drunk driving more commonly causes certain types of collisions than others. Examples of crashes that drivers who are under the influence of alcohol regularly cause include:

Head-on collisions

If a drunk driver in Houston is going the wrong way down a road, head-on collisions commonly result. In addition, a drunk driver who departs from a lane and veers left over a double-yellow line has a high risk of crashing head-on into an oncoming car.

Rear-end collisions

Because impaired drivers are often unable to pay close attention to the road, they can often miss traffic slowing or stopping in front of them. This can cause them to crash into the backs of other cars. While some people discount rear-end crashes as “fender-benders,” they actually have the potential to cause severe injuries.

Rollover crashes

Drunk drivers often misjudge their speeds on turns, make dangerous lane changes, or overcorrect driving mistakes. All of these can cause drunk drivers to lose control and their cars to flip or roll over. While rollover accidents can involve one vehicle, the drunk driver’s vehicle can easily crash into others or cause chain-reaction crashes that harm other drivers.

No matter the type of collision, a Houston drunk driver can cause always cause serious injuries to unsuspecting motorists.

Possible Third Party Liability After a Houston DUI Accident

In some instances, the drunk driver is not the only party whom you can hold liable for your crash-related injuries. Texas laws can sometimes hold providers of alcohol responsible if they served alcohol to the drunk person. Such liable parties can include:

  • Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol vendors that provide alcohol to children younger than 18
  • Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol vendors that provide alcohol to people who are obviously so drunk that they present risks of harm to themselves and others
  • Adults social hosts who provide alcohol to children younger than 18<

In such cases, the injuries must have been a foreseeable result of the person’s intoxication. Such “dram shop” claims are not always available, but an attorney can identify when you can hold additional parties liable for your losses.

Drunk Driving in Houston

In Houston and throughout Harris County, residents get injured in drunk driving accidents nearly every day. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a Texan is injured or killed in a drunk driving accident every 20 minutes. And Texas is one of the worst states the nation in fatal drunk driving crashes. In 2015 alone, 362 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in Harris County and Houston according to MADD.

The drunk driving problem in Houston just continues to grow. Some statistics indicate that one out of every three fatal accidents in Houston is caused by a drunk driver.

Houston Drunk Driving Accident FAQ

Every year, hundreds of drivers and passengers throughout Houston suffer severe injuries or death in drunk driving accidents. Drunk driving accidents often have life-changing consequences—and the aftermath leaves victims with more questions than answers.

If you have questions that relate to a specific drunk driving accident, contact our team of Houston drunk driving accident lawyers and legal professionals as soon as possible. We have decades of experience successfully handling Houston drunk driving accident claims.

Below you can find the answers to some commonly asked questions concerning drunk driving accidents in the Houston area.

How does drunk driving contribute to an accident?

It’s a plain and simple fact: drunk drivers are much more likely than other drivers to cause accidents. With even a minor amount of alcohol in their system, drunk drivers may start to lose their decision-making abilities and struggle to control their vehicles. Driving drunk can cause:

  • Loss of judgment. Drivers with alcohol in their blood may make poor choices, including everything from attempting to run a red light to ignoring the speed limit. A person’s decision-making ability deteriorates rapidly as alcohol intake increases, which means the more they have to drink before getting behind the wheel, the worse their decisions get.
  • Slower reflexes. Drunk drivers may struggle to stop the vehicle before an accident occurs or to turn away from a potential accident in time. Slower reflexes can make it difficult to avoid hazards in the road or even to steer the car correctly.
  • Poor muscle coordination. In addition to slowed reflexes, drunk drivers may struggle to control their vehicles at all. Coordination goes out the window when you’re drunk, making it tough to get a car to move or stop properly. It also becomes incredibly difficult to steer, leading to everything from driving off the road to over-correction.
  • Compromised vision. To prevent an accident, drivers have to see it coming. Not only can drunk drivers miss potential hazards, they may struggle with tunnel vision, blurry vision, or other difficulty focusing on the road, which can make it hard to navigate properly. A drunk driver may not even notice another vehicle on the road until it’s too late. Worse, drunk drivers may fail to note vulnerable pedestrians or cyclists, who often suffer more serious injuries in accidents than vehicle occupants.
  • Inability to pay attention to the road. Drunk drivers become distracted more easily. They pay less attention to the road and may try to engage in other tasks while driving – but even chatting with a passenger can become a fatal distraction.

As a result of these conditions caused by alcohol intake, drunk drivers are at a greater risk of causing an accident in general. They cannot control their vehicles properly, they make poor choices, and they might not notice the things around them. On the road, this is a recipe for disaster.

How does a drunk driver affect the compensation I can receive for my injury accident?

If you know the other driver in your injury accident drove while impaired, does that change the amount of compensation you’ll receive for your accident? Short answer: maybe. You will receive compensation for your accident based on the liable driver’s insurance policy limits and the extent of your injuries. A drunk driver may cause more damage in an accident, which can increase the compensation you ultimately receive for your injuries.In addition, you might be able to recover punitive damages more easily from a drunk driver than a sober one. Punitive damages exist to punish bad behavior and irresponsibility, and can be added on to particularly horrific personal injury claims.

Does it make a difference if the other driver does NOT receive a drunk driving conviction?

You suffered serious injuries in an accident with the drunk driver. Unfortunately, the other driver did not receive a drunk driving conviction. Maybe the police did not have adequate evidence for a conviction, or perhaps the police did not collect evidence properly, which resulted in the charges getting thrown out.Whatever the case, you must still live with your injuries and their impacts, while the drunk driver is subject to no legal consequences for deciding to drink and drive. Does that make a difference?

The criminal conviction of an inebriated driver is a separate matter that does not change the compensation you can receive in a civil lawsuit, so a lack of criminal conviction will not change the compensation you receive for your accident. As long as the police deem the other driver liable for the accident in their police report – or your attorney finds evidence proving the other driver caused the accident – you will still receive full compensation for your injuries.

Make sure you work with an experienced Houston drunk driving accident attorney, especially if the police do not convict the other driver of driving while intoxicated! Our Houston drunk driving accident attorneys can help protect your rights.

How much compensation can I get for a Houston drunk driving accident?

You deserve the same compensation for a drunk driving accident that you deserve for severe injuries in any other type of auto accident – if not more. Texas drivers must carry a minimum of $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage insurance. Some drivers may carry plans that offer higher levels of compensation, especially if you suffer injuries in an accident with a drunk commercial truck driver.

Most people who file Houston drunk driving accident claims include the following:

  • Medical expenses. Drunk driving accidents often come with serious injuries. Your medical bills can add up fast, from emergency care to medications to physical/occupational therapy. Some injuries may also have lifelong consequences that lead to the need for ongoing medical care. An attorney can help you track and prove all your medical expenses.
  • Lost wages. You may have to miss time at work to deal with your injuries, meaning you miss out on paychecks when you need them the most. Chronic pain might limit the work you can do, or you may need surgeries or procedures later that cause you to miss even more work. Even when you can physically return, you may have still more appointments and therapies that interfere with your normal work schedule. Fortunately, you can include all of those lost wages as part of your Houston drunk driving accident claim.
  • Pain and suffering. We know your injuries leave you with more than just financial losses to deal with. You may have ongoing pain from your injuries or suffer because you can no longer engage in activities or social interactions you once enjoyed. Your emotional turmoil is as real and valid as the physical harm you’ve suffered, and you deserve compensation for those losses, too. Contact a Houston drunk driving accident attorney to get a better idea of how your pain and suffering can impact the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Who bears liability in a drunk driving accident?

You know a drunk driver caused your accident, but does anyone else share liability? Who else might be held accountable?

If the drunk driver carries minimum liability insurance, that can severely limit the compensation you receive for your injuries. But if your accident attorney helps identify another liable party, you may have grounds for a claim against that party, too. This means a higher settlement amount for you.

Examples of other at-fault parties include the bar or restaurant that over-served the drunk driver, or a bar or restaurant that chose to serve a minor who then went on to cause an accident. Texas law prohibits the sale or service of alcohol to a minor. It also prohibits selling to someone who is already intoxicated. A bar or restaurant that fails to uphold these duties may bear partial liability for any accident caused by the inebriated individual.

Other factors may also contribute to drunk driving accidents, including poor vehicle repair or mechanical failure. An employer whose drunk driver caused an accident may also bear partial liability for that accident.

Contact an attorney to determine whether any of these factors contributed to your accident – and how they could contribute to the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What should you do after an accident with a drunk driver in Houston?

You were hit by a drunk driver in Houston. Now what?

At the scene of the accident, do not accept fault. Avoid making any statement that may be interpreted as accepting liability for the accident at any time. If you or someone in your vehicle can comfortably move around the scene of the accident without putting yourself in danger or worsening your injuries, try to collect evidence. This can help your case.

Your top priority should be to dial 911. Police and EMTs will respond to the scene. Police will be able to generate a crash report and assess the conditions of the drivers in question.

If you’re able, you should try to collect the following while you wait for responders:

  • Witness information. Witnesses can help testify to a drunk driver’s behavior, including signs of inebriation behind the wheel.
  • Photos of the accident scene. Photos can help show who caused the accident. Snap pictures before you have to move your vehicle, or precious evidence could be lost forever.
  • Contact information for the liable driver. Take photos of the other driver’s license, plates, and insurance information so you have them on hand later.

Make sure you accept proper medical treatment after any car accident. A doctor can detect severe life-threatening injuries you might not even notice, including traumatic brain injuries, chest contusions, organ damage, and spinal cord damage. A visit to the emergency room or an urgent care center will also provide clear evidence of when your accident took place, which can prevent the other party from suggesting that you suffered your injuries at some other time.

If you need help getting connected to the medical care you need, contact our Houston drunk driving accident attorneys. We may be able to get you the treatment you need, at no upfront cost.

The drunk driver’s insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I take it?

Absolutely not. Accepting a settlement offer means you absolve the insurance company or liable driver of any future financial liability for the accident.If the insurance company offers you a fair and reasonable settlement, that works in everyone’s favor: you get the money you deserve, and the insurance company does not have to worry about future expenses coming its way from you.

However, the problem is the insurance company doesn’t play fair. Their initial settlement offer will only be a fraction of what you really deserve. The insurance adjuster wants to reduce the company’s financial liability and discharge its responsibility following the accident as quickly as possible. Don’t fall for it.

Contact our Houston drunk driving accident attorneys before accepting any settlement offer. With years of experience in drunk driving cases, we can advise you about when to accept and when to keep negotiating.

The drunk driver clearly caused my accident. Do I really need an attorney?

Yes! Even if it’s obvious that a drunk driver caused your accident, you still need an attorney to help you file your claim and maximize your settlement. An experienced Houston drunk driving accident attorney can help you collect all evidence related to who caused the accident and build a strong case.

A drunk driving attorney will also:

  • Make sure you understand the compensation you deserve. Many accident victims do not know how much compensation they really deserve for their injuries. An attorney will ensure that you understand how much you are entitled to when you’ve been hit by a drunk driver.
  • Help increase the odds that you will get that compensation. A Houston drunk driving accident attorney cannot guarantee compensation after an accident, but working with an experienced law firm will substantially increase your odds.
  • Take some of the stress off your shoulders. Your injuries leave you with enough to deal with following a severe accident. Why not lighten the load? Put the responsibility for handling the insurance company and dealing with negotiations into the hands of an experienced Houston drunk driving accident attorney. This will reduce your stress and let you focus on what matters most: your recovery.
  • Fight for you in court, if needed. If your claim needs to go to court in order to get the compensation you deserve, a Houston drunk driving accident attorney will fight on your behalf. You need this peace of mind during this incredibly difficult time in your life.

If your life was damaged by a drunk driver, call the attorneys at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers and talk about it. Do not sign anything until you speak with us, because you risk losing some or all of the compensation to which you are entitled.

Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers

Address: 12777 Jones Rd # 297,
Houston, TX 77070
Phone: 281-664-6500