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A moment of carelessness by someone else can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and injuries that change your daily life in an instant. You do not have to carry that burden alone, and you deserve support from a team that will seek the compensation Texas law allows.
An Austin drunk driving accident lawyer from TK Injury Lawyers: Austin Personal Injury Lawyer understands what you are going through and knows how to seek the recovery you deserve. Texas law allows you to pursue compensation directly from a drunk driver, and in some cases from the establishment that overserved them. Our attorneys can investigate every detail of your crash, hold negligent parties accountable, and work to secure the damages you need to rebuild. Contact us today at (512) 910-2000 to speak with our team about your drunk driving accident case. Schedule a free consultation.
In addition to the physical trauma, property damage, and emotional stress that victims are left with in a typical car accident, the victims of drunk driving accidents are left with the difficult knowledge that their misfortune could have been prevented if someone had done the responsible thing and abstained from drinking and driving. Drivers who are intoxicated and cause completely unnecessary injuries and losses should be held accountable for their actions to the fullest extent of the law, and victims should be compensated for their losses.
It’s important to work with a lawyer if you were hurt in a drunk driving accident in Austin, Texas, so they can guide you through the legal system and help you get the money you are due. In addition to investigating the accident and helping you understand your rights, a driving accident lawyer can help you develop a compelling case against the drunk driver and possibly other parties, such as the bar that overserved them.
How could they be so reckless? Will justice be served? Our Austin drunk driving accident lawyers at TK Injury Lawyers: Austin Personal Injury Lawyer understand what you are going through and will work to make the legal process as anxiety-free as possible while we also work to maximize your recovery. We have seen firsthand the disruption and tragedy that drunk drivers can cause, and we are on your side as an accident victim. Contact our office today for a free case evaluation.
Drunk driving remains a serious danger for Austin drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. According to the Austin Police Department, nearly 85 percent of collisions occurring between midnight and 2:59 a.m. involve a driver under the influence of alcohol, and more than half of the fatal crashes during that same window involve an impaired driver.
Statewide, the numbers tell a similar story. The recent data from the Texas Department of Transportation reports that alcohol-related crashes killed an average of 89 residents every month across the state in 2023, with roughly 65 alcohol-related crashes occurring daily and claiming three lives every day because someone chose to drive after drinking. Drunk driving deaths statewide fell 15 percent from 2022 to 2023, a sign of progress, though the toll remains devastating for families across Central Texas.
Patterns behind these crashes repeat across Austin, may include:
Recognizing these patterns helps injured victims understand that a drunk driving crash in Austin is rarely an isolated event, and an Austin drunk driving accident attorney can use them to build a claim.
Austin’s large university population and vibrant nightlife create added drunk driving risks for college students and other young adults. The concentration of campuses, downtown bars, and late-night venues throughout the city puts young drivers directly in that risk zone, usually during the same late-night hours when impaired driving crashes are most common.
Texas law does not limit a DWI charge to alcohol alone. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a driver can face DWI charges for operating a vehicle while under the influence of:
A first DWI in Texas already carries serious criminal consequences, and a crash caused by an impaired young driver can leave victims facing significant medical bills, lost time, and long recoveries. An Austin drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm can help injured victims pursue compensation regardless of the driver’s age or the substance involved.
If you are injured in a drunk driving crash, taking swift action can protect both your health and your right to compensation. If possible, follow these critical steps:
These steps work together to protect your health and preserve the evidence your claim depends on. Acting quickly helps ensure that evidence and documentation are available when it comes time to negotiate with the insurance company or, if needed, pursue your case in court.
In cases of drunk driving accidents, proving that a driver was under the influence of alcohol is necessary for an accident claim. The measurement used to determine a driver’s level of intoxication is known as blood alcohol content (BAC). In Texas, as well as throughout the United States, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC level of 0.08% or higher.
You must have evidence that supports your claim that a driver was drunk. This can include obtaining police reports, eyewitness testimonies, and any other relevant evidence. However, one of the most important pieces of evidence is the driver’s BAC level at the time of the accident. This can be determined through a blood or breathalyzer test conducted by law enforcement.
The BAC level serves as a concrete measure of a driver’s impairment and can impact the outcome of an accident claim. With this evidence, your drunk driving accident attorney in Austin can build a solid case to hold the drunk driver accountable for their actions and pursue the compensation you deserve.
A DWI accident can affect your finances in several ways beyond the immediate cost of vehicle repairs. Depending on the case, recoverable damages in a Texas DWI accident claim may include:
Your attorney will pursue this compensation through negotiation with the insurance company or, if necessary, in court. The value of these damages varies from case to case, depending on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the specific facts of your accident.
The first step after a crash is to contact an Austin drunk driving accident attorney who will handle the process of filing the claim for you.
When filing a claim against a drunk driver, you must demonstrate that their negligence or recklessness led to the accident and your injuries. Your attorney will help gather evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records to prove the liability of the drunk driver.
Your lawyer will consider the potential damages you might be entitled to when filing your claim. They will demand a fair settlement from the driver’s insurance company and negotiate until the insurer agrees to compensate all your losses.
Filing a claim against a drunk driver may seem overwhelming, but with the right attorney by your side, you can obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.
We fundamentally believe that you hired an Austin Personal Injury Lawyer to represent you in your legal matter and you should have the ability to speak to that lawyer when issues arise.
As the victim of an accident caused by a drunk driver, it may feel good to know that the person who hit you is facing criminal charges and is likely going to face consequences, such as fines, loss of their driver’s license, probation, or possibly even jail time. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a first DWI conviction in Texas can carry:
It is critical to keep in mind, however, that the criminal case against the drunk driver will do little to compensate you for your losses, and any restitution a judge orders rarely covers the full cost of your damages.
Filing an injury claim is a separate process from any criminal case. It typically starts with an insurance claim against the drunk driver’s policy, and our attorneys can calculate your damages and negotiate for full compensation. If the insurer will not cooperate, we can pursue your case in civil court.
If you choose us to pursue your personal injury claim, you can work directly with Austin Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Jim Terry and Trent Kelly every step of the way, without being handed off to an unfamiliar attorney or legal assistant.
We can build a strategy around your unique case and pursue compensation from every liable party, which may include the bar or restaurant that overserved the driver who hit you. Under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, an establishment can be held liable when it was apparent at the time of service that the person being served presented a clear danger to himself or others, and that intoxication was a direct cause of the resulting damages. These dram shop claims can be complex, and we can pursue them to hold every responsible party accountable.
Many of our clients have moved forward after their accident in the strongest position their case allowed. View their experiences on our Testimonials page, or contact our office directly to learn how we handle injury claims with the individualized attention your case deserves.
At TK Injury Lawyers: Austin Personal Injury Lawyer, we believe that there is no excuse for drunk drivers who put others’ lives in danger. When people sustain preventable injuries in this type of crash, we can seek compensation from the drunk driver to ensure that injured victims and their families have the financial recovery they need and deserve. We know how to hold drunk drivers accountable, and we are ready to help you with your claim.
If you have been in a car accident caused by a drunk driver and have questions about your right to benefits for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, an Austin drunk driving accident lawyer is here for you.
Call TK Injury Lawyers: Austin Personal Injury Lawyer at (512) 910-2000, or schedule a free initial consultation here.
Related resources about drunk driving claims:
Visit our office in Austin, Texas
At TK Injury Lawyers: Austin Personal Injury Lawyers help victims of drunk driving accidents all around the Austin, Texas area. We have an office in Austin, Texas, at 1002 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 30.2741344684673, -97.7481958929217
Trent Kelly obtained his law degree from the University of Arkansas in 2007. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and regularly assists clients with their legal matters. Trent’s practice is primarily focused on personal injury matters – particularly those involving motor vehicles (such as cars, commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and motorcycles) and wrongful death – but he also handles various business litigation matters as well. Click here to take a look at some complex cases Trent has resolved.
Years of experience: +15 years
Location: Austin, TX
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“Want to send out a sincere “Thank You” for an outstanding job in handling my case. It took a little over a year to resolve but Jim T. was extremely thorough in putting all of the phases together to close it out. I found out quickly how punctual Jim is as well as his dedication t…
Trent Kelly has been very supportive and very helpful throughout my case. He has been very realistic from day one. He never changed his position. He really cares for you and fights for your case to the best of his ability. Honestly, he got my case resolved for more than I expected. I once had a…
My wife and I were very pleased with the services provided by Jim Terry of TK Injury Lawyers in assisting us with her motor vehicle injury accident. He was extremely professional and kept us up-to-date with the progress. Jim took the time to help us understand the circumstances and legal conside…
After I was hit by a car on my scooter, I worked with Jim Terry and Trent Kelly, with Trent handling the bulk of my case. I was pleased with their professionalism and that they were always good about staying in touch and keeping me up-to-date on my case. I trusted them completely, and they resolved my case faster than I expect…
When my insurance company denied my claim I did not know where to turn. I called Jim Terry and explained my not so easy situation. I had no hope in having my vehicle repaired when I called Mr. Terry. He took on my case and was always in contact with me about where we stood in regards to a resolut…
I want to express my thanks to Attorney Mr. James Terry and staff for their representation, guidance and assistance settling my case. The insurance company was difficult, however Mr. Terry was able to get full policy limits available. The staff always kept me up to date and never left me in the dark. …
Mr. Kelly and Mr. Terry handled my personal injury case in Texas. They contacted me frequently to give me updates on my case and made sure I felt it was being handled to my expectations. I was so pleased with their professionalism. My settlement was extremely fair and timely. I would recommend them to my own family and…
Mr. Terry is an exceptional attorney. James (Jim) is easy to talk to, he explains the process very clearly, and he keeps you informed of events normally before they will occur. Most importantly, he settled the case to everyone’s satisfaction. I used him for a personal injury case and I would highly recommend him.
Trent Kelly is by far the best attorney I have worked with and I was actually married to one! He is professional and got the job done. He is one of the first attorneys I have worked with that did not make me feel like he just took my money and then did nothing. He was referred to me by my daughter who wanted…
I would highly recommend Trent Kelly and have to several friends. I have worked with Trent and his firm several times over the past four years and have always been impressed with the level of service and very confident in his abilities. After working with Trent, he set the bar in characteristics to search for in an…
We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning costs come out of your recovery, not your pocket.
We’ve helped numerous Austinites win their Austin Personal Injury case and we would love to help you if you’ve experienced a serious accident. Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, Call us today, to speak with either Jim or Trent. We’ll review the details of your case, give you an honest assessment of it, and then, if appropriate, we’ll help you create a legal plan of action to pursue justice on your behalf.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Trent Kelly, who has more than 15 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury trial attorney.
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