Houston drunk driving accident lawyer holding drivers accountable

Yes. The criminal DWI case and your civil injury claim are separate. The prosecutor seeks a conviction; we seek compensation for you. You do not have to wait for the criminal case to finish, and you can recover even if the driver is acquitted or takes a plea, because the civil standard of proof is lower. A conviction or guilty plea, however, is strong evidence in your claim.

Often, yes. Driving while intoxicated can support a claim for exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas law, which are meant to punish gross negligence rather than simply reimburse you. Those damages sit on top of your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, impairment, and disfigurement. Insurers rarely volunteer them; they have to be developed and proved.

Sometimes. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, a bar, restaurant, or other licensed provider can be liable if it served alcohol to a person who was obviously intoxicated to the point of presenting a clear danger, and that intoxication caused the crash. These claims add a second source of insurance coverage, which matters when the drunk driver carries only minimum limits. Receipts, surveillance video, and witness accounts disappear quickly, so this needs to be investigated early.

Generally two years from the date of the crash under Texas law. Claims involving a government vehicle or a dram shop defendant carry additional notice requirements and practical deadlines, so it is best to speak with an attorney well before the two-year mark.

Texas minimum liability limits are low and drunk drivers are frequently uninsured. You may still recover through the uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy or a household member's policy, through a dram shop claim, and in some cases through the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation program for out-of-pocket losses. We identify every available source of recovery before advising you on value.