In Galveston, drunk drivers can face DWI penalties like jail time and fines. While a criminal conviction can hold a drunk driver accountable, it does little to compensate victims in the event of a car accident. Injury lawsuits and insurance claims offer compensation to those harmed by negligent behavior like drunk driving.
At Blass Law, Galveston DWI lawyer is here to fight for your compensation if a drunk driver injured you. A Galveston drunk driving accident lawyer on our team can negotiate with insurers, file a lawsuit, and protect your best interests. Call us today to get started.
What Hiring a Galveston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer on Our Team Looks Like
In the aftermath of a drunk driving accident, you may face the following challenges:
- Figuring out how to best pursue compensation
- Dealing with aggressive insurers pushing you to resolve the accident for much less than you deserve
- Communicating with the parties involved in your accident
- Navigating the legal system if you plan to file a lawsuit
Juggling these challenges isn’t easy, particularly if you’re recovering from a severe injury. This is where working with a Galveston criminal defense lawyer from our firm could prove useful. We can manage every aspect of your case, giving you much-needed time to rest and heal. Our team will handle the following:
Investigating Your Accident
Drunk driving accident cases hinge on evidence. It’ll be difficult to pursue compensation if you cannot prove that someone else is responsible for your injuries.
We have this covered. We can gather the following types of evidence:
- Traffic camera footage
- Input from experts, like crash reconstruction specialists
- Your medical records
- Witness interviews
- Police reports
- Records that indicate that the responsible party was charged with a DWI
Determining Liability for the DWI Accident
Once we’ve investigated your case, we can work towards proving the four elements of negligence. These elements are a legal tool used to show that another party is responsible for your injuries.
They include the following:
- The responsible party owed you a duty of care: Drivers must keep other roadway users from harm. This responsibility is known as a duty of care in a legal context.
- The responsible party didn’t uphold this duty of care: Negligent behavior, like driving drunk, violates the duty of care.
- The responsible party caused your accident: There is a link between your car accident and the responsible party’s negligence, in this case, driving while intoxicated.
- You suffered damages after your accident: Medical expenses, emotional trauma, and loss of companionship are common damages.
During our investigation, we will work towards identifying the party responsible for your injuries. We will handle this on your behalf.
Pursuing Compensation
To fight for your compensation, we can:
- File a personal injury claim and negotiate with the insurer for an out-of-court settlement
- File a lawsuit in court
Usually, we can recover compensation through a settlement. However, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to offer what you deserve.
Offering Compassionate Legal Support
As a law firm, our primary goal is to help accident victims secure fair compensation. We’re prepared to fight every step of the way. We know this is a stressful situation, so we want to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible throughout the legal process. To do so, we will:
- Explain your options
- Provide consistent updates
- Answer any of your legal questions
- Provide you with a confidential case evaluation
How Much You Can Pursue Your Drunk Driving Accident Case
If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, you could pursue the following types of damages:
- Expenses for medical treatment
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Mental trauma
- Pain and suffering
The value of your case will depend on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries, e.g., a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, will cost you much more than a broken bone
- Your age and job title
- Insurance negotiations
- Whether you file a lawsuit
We can discuss the potential value of your case during our initial meetings. This way, you won’t be caught off guard during settlement negotiations.
If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident caused by drunk driving, please accept our sincere condolences. Our accident attorneys can file a wrongful death claim on your behalf and seek justice and compensation for your family.
You Have a Limited Time to File Your Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in Galveston, Texas
We can typically settle drunk driving accident cases through injury claims and negotiations with the insurance company. However, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit if this approach doesn’t produce positive results. A Galveston drunk driving accident lawyer from our team can make your case in court if necessary.
In Galveston, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a drunk driving accident, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. While this deadline seems to provide ample time, it’s ideal to start on your case as soon as possible. Our legal team can manage your case deadlines.
Consider these additional benefits of getting a head start on your case:
- Offers plenty of time to gather evidence
- Ensures that key witnesses don’t forget what they know about your accident
- Allows you to file a lawsuit if insurance negotiations fall through
The Other Driver’s Drunk Driving Conviction doesn’t Get You the Compensation You Deserve
In Galveston, drunk driving is punishable by:
- Fines
- Jail or prison time
- License suspension
However, a conviction won’t get you the compensation you need to move on with your life. You will need to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to get justice.
Remember, even if the driver that caused your accident isn’t convicted of a DWI, you can still file a lawsuit. Civil trials and criminal trials are two separate proceedings.
Get Started on Your Galveston County Drunk Driving Accident Case Today
We will fight for justice, accountability, and fair financial recovery if you hire Blass Law. You’re not on the hook for a DWI, so you shouldn’t be stuck picking up the pieces of a drunk driving accident alone. Contact our offices to learn about your options today.