Who Is Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident?

A car accident isn’t always illegal, though drunk driving is considered a crime. A drunk driver is a reckless danger to drivers and pedestrians on the road. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) can diminish a driver’s skill to operate a vehicle safely, such as the ability to maintain lane, brake successfully, concentrate, control speed, track a moving object, or even respond effectively in an emergency. 

An accident caused by a drunk driver’s negligence can have a catastrophic impact on your life, leading to physical, mental, and financial impairments and sometimes even the fatality of a loved one. With drunk driving being a criminal offense that carries a harsh penalty, even for first-time offenders, it is important to hold negligent, drunk drivers accountable for their actions. Start by reaching out to a drunk driving accident lawyer in Austin.

How To Hold a Drunk Driver Responsible for An Accident?

A majority of the states in the US have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood, and a “zero tolerance” BAC limit for underage drivers. Even if the defendant doesn’t have a prior criminal record or if their BAC is just at or over the limit, penalties for first-time DWI offenders can include the following:

1. Suspension of driver’s license
2. Paying a fine and performing community service
3. A minimum jail time
4. Using an ignition interlock device (IID)
5. Probation
6. Going for alcohol abuse treatment and alcohol education
7. Going on probation
8. Getting vehicle impounded

If a drunk driver hit you and caused you injuries, then you should file a lawsuit against them by consulting a car accident lawyer, as they can help in gathering evidence of the drunk driver’s intoxication and other traffic violations to establish a case of gross negligence on the part of the driver. By proving negligence and establishing your physical, mental, and financial damages, you can secure the compensation that you’re entitled to under state law.

What Kind of Compensation Am I Entitled to In a Drunk Driving Accident?

The primary purpose of filing a personal injury lawsuit for a DWI accident is to receive compensation for your pain and suffering and various other losses, such as the following:

1. Current and future medical expenses
2.  Loss of income and expected future lost earnings
3. Pain and suffering due to injuries
4. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from your injuries or the accident
5. Any form of permanent disability
6. Loss of enjoyment of your life
7. Punitive damages, as are typically given in serious drunk driving cases

Reach Out to a Car Accident Lawyer at TK Injury Lawyers for Assistance Today

A car accident is a traumatic, overwhelming experience and can bring your life to a standstill. It is important to acquire the counsel of an Austin accident attorney while you or your loved one continue to recover from your injuries. We can begin investigating your accident, including whether the other driver was charged and convicted of DWI.

Never wait to contact TK Injury Lawyers, to learn more about how we can help after your accident and injuries.