Despite the fact that every state considers drinking and driving illegal, thousands of people do it every year. Sadly, most of them do not get caught. Thankfully, however, most of these people do not get into a traffic accident. When they do, the results are usually disastrous.
The reason drunk driving accidents are so dangerous is that the person who causes it has no fear. They don’t appreciate the risk they’re creating for themselves or the other people on the road. They drive too fast, try to change lanes when they shouldn’t and lose control of their car.
When this happens, they end up crashing into some innocent person on their way home from work. Or, they kill a family of five who was on their way home from the movie theater. Often times, the person who was drunk doesn’t actually get hurt. That is little consolation for the victim as they lie in the emergency room, waiting to hear if they’ll need surgery.
If you or your loved one are hurt in a drunk driving crash, you’ll need to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer in Texas. You’ll be trying to recover from your injuries. The last thing you’ll want to do is fight with insurance adjustors or deal with lawyers. Let our attorneys handle the legal side of things for you. This way, you can focus on getting better.
Does the Defendant Have to Be Charged with DUI?
In order to get compensation for your injuries, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault. While a conviction for a DUI will go a long way to help prove this, it isn’t necessary. Your Texas car accident lawyer can find other evidence to support your claim. For example, if the other driver was swerving on the road, you may have caught it on your dash cam. Or, if they hit you from behind, they’ll be presumed to be at fault. However, if they’re charged and convicted of DUI, it will make your lawyer’s job a lot easier. If a jury learns that the person who hit you was found guilty of DUI, there’s no way a jury will find for the defendant. The insurance company knows this. So does their lawyer. They won’t want to take their chances in court. They know they’ll probably lose. Instead, they’ll want to negotiate a settlement with your attorney.
What if They Were Convicted of DUI in Texas?
A lot of clients wonder if they can use proof of the other driver’s DUI in court. IF they were convicted, you should be allowed to tell the jury, right? Well, the short answer to this question is yes. However, it very rarely comes to that. Most personal injury cases settle long before they see the inside of a courtroom. Nobody wants to go to trial. They know there’s always the chance that they’ll lose in court. Trials also take a long time. Most plaintiffs can’t afford to wait for a year or longer to get their money. They’d rather take some money now than more money down the road. This is especially true if you were injured so severely that you can’t work.
The good news is your attorney will work hard to settle your case. They know that proof of a DUI conviction will make it almost impossible for the defendant to win in court. They’ll use this as leverage to get you as much money as possible. This way, you can start paying off your medical bills and get on with your life.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Texas Today
If you or your family member have been injured in a drunk driving crash, you’ll need help. An experienced car accident lawyer will go to bat with the insurance company on your behalf. And, if they refuse to pay your claim, they’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf. This way, you can get the compensation you deserve. If you’re seriously injured in the crash, you’ll need long-term medical treatment. This can be very expensive. And you’ll likely miss a lot of time for work. The defendant should be liable for these costs. Your car accident lawyer in Texas will fight you to get this money.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation. Sit down with a lawyer who has handled cases like yours before. The consultation is free, and you don’t pay a dime until you settle your case.