CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH PLANO DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR FREE
Drunk driving accidents can leave victims and their families devastated. A drunk driver can cause serious or fatal injuries, damage to your car, and significant pain and suffering. After a drunk driving accident, you may face an increased financial burden from unexpected medical bills, lost wages, and automobile repairs.
Let us help fight for the compensation you deserve. The drunk driving accident lawyers at Zinda Law Group have experience representing victims of drunk driving accidents and pursuing the maximum amount of money possible. Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free attorney consultation with experienced Plano drunk driving injury lawyers.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDRUNK DRIVING STATISTICS IN TEXAS
Texas continues to have one of the highest rates of drunk driving accidents in the country. In 2018, Texas had the second-highest number of people killed in drunk driving accidents where at least one driver was under the influence.
Drivers are considered to be alcohol-impaired with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) over .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. In 2019, there were 886 people killed in Texas in motor vehicle traffic crashes where a driver was under the influence of alcohol, making up 25% of the total number of people killed in all car accidents.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCOMMON INJURIES
Drunk drivers can cause a range of damages from minor fender-benders to high-speed collisions. An intoxicated driver will likely have less coordination, poorer judgment, and slower reaction time when driving. All of these factors can increase the chances of serious injuries for victims of drunk driving accidents. Some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Broken bones
The severity and degree of your injuries may depend on the collision type. Drunk drivers may also become drowsy and fall asleep at the wheel, fail to obey traffic signals, and veer into oncoming traffic. This can cause head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian collisions. Each type of accident can lead to serious injuries or death for drunk driving victims.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWHAT TO DO AFTER A DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT
A drunk driving accident can leave you and your loved ones overwhelmed about what to do next. No one plans on being the victim of a drunk driving accident. However, the following steps may be helpful on what to do in the days and weeks after a drunk driving accident.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCall the Police
Immediately after a drunk driving accident, you should call the police to document the accident and receive medical attention. A police officer will also be needed to conduct a sobriety test to determine if a driver is intoxicated.
Assess Your Injuries
If you do not receive medical treatment at the scene of the accident, visit your doctor as soon as possible to determine if you need medical treatment. Be sure to continue to monitor your health for any additional signs or symptoms that occur afterward because you may experience the effects of a car accident several days after it happens.
Document Your Damage
As soon as possible, be sure to take photos of any damage you sustained after being hurt by a drunk driver. This could include any damage to your car and photos of the injuries you sustained.
Obtain the Police Report
After a drunk driving accident, a police officer will fill out a report. If you were not given a copy at the scene of the accident, call the police department to ask for a copy of the accident report or how to access this report once it becomes available.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After you’ve been in a car accident, your insurance company needs to be notified. However, if you’ve been injured, it is best to call an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer first.
The drunk driver’s insurance company may offer you a settlement or an amount of one that they have evaluated your damages to be. However, you should be cautious of any settlement offer, because this may not be the actual value of your case and may be insufficient to cover your expenses, especially with serious and ongoing injuries. Call an experienced drunk driving injury lawyer to fight for you and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
Document Your Expenses
A drunk driving accident can leave victims with sudden, unexpected costs. Hospital bills, missed work, and car repairs can quickly add up. It’s important that you keep track of all receipts and paperwork related to your accident. This could include:
- Hospital bills
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractor bills
- Dental bills
- Time taken off from work due to any injuries
- Car repair or replacement receipts
- Rental car receipts
WHAT A PLANO DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYER MAY DO FOR YOU
Our Plano drunk driving accident lawyers are here to fight for victims and be there for our clients at every step. This may include:
- Ensuring that you receive proper medical treatment
- Investigating the accident
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Collecting crash reports
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Determining if the driver was over-served at a bar or restaurant
- Filing a lawsuit
- Going to trial
At Zinda Law Group, we may help you determine the damages you are entitled to and file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf to recover financial compensation. The amount of compensation you are eligible for will be affected by factors such as the extent of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, pain and suffering, and damage to your vehicle, among other things.
FAQS
Are Drunk Drivers Always at Fault?
Drunk drivers are not automatically assumed to be at fault for the accident just because they were under the influence. However, because all drivers are required to drive with a reasonable standard of care, drinking and driving will increase the likelihood that a drunk driver is found to be at fault for the accident.
Even if you believe you may be partially at fault for causing the accident, you may still be entitled to recover money. Texas follows a modified comparative fault law, meaning that fault can be shared between the parties. For example, if you were found to be 30% and the other driver was 70% responsible for the accident, you could still recover some money, it would just be reduced proportionately. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault in a car accident, then you will be unable to recover damages from another party.
Our attorneys may investigate and seek to hold drunk drivers responsible for the harm they have caused.
Can Other Parties Be Held Responsible for Drunk Drivers?
In Texas, the “dram shop law” can hold other individuals and businesses liable for a drunk driving accident if an individual is overserved. For example, if a restaurant serves an individual who is obviously intoxicated, and that individual gets behind a wheel and causes an accident, the restaurant may also be responsible for any injuries or fatalities that the driver causes.
The “social host law” also holds party hosts and bars liable if they knowingly serve alcohol to those who are underage. For example, if an adult serves alcohol to a minor who is not their child at their home and the intoxicated minor then drives away and causes an accident, the social host could be liable for damages and injuries that occur as the result of a drunk driving accident.
Determining fault and recovery can be complicated, but an experienced drunk driving accident attorney may help navigate the process for you.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
If you were injured in a drunk driving accident and want to file a lawsuit against the other party, you need to be aware of the time limits, or statutes of limitations, that are in place. In Texas, you have two years from the date of the drunk driving accident to file a claim for your injuries.
Even though this may seem like plenty of time, it is important to file your claim as soon as possible because your memories may not be as fresh, witnesses can be hard to track down, and important evidence may not remain well preserved. It is best to contact a Plano drunk driving injury lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you get the money you deserve.
Contact a Lawyer Who Handles Drunk Driving Accident Cases
At Zinda Law Group, our Plano drunk driving accident attorneys have helped many victims get the compensation they deserved after suffering from the emotional and financial damage a drunk driver can cause. We fight for our clients’ right to be compensated for their losses.
We believe a drunk driving victim should never have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer 100% free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free consultation with one of our experienced Plano car accident attorneys.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
