Richardson, Texas DWI Accident Injury Lawyer

Drunk driving remains a leading cause of serious car accidents across the United States. Despite the obvious danger that driving while intoxicated poses, some people still choose to get behind the wheel while their senses or judgment are impaired. If you or somebody you love has been hurt in a wreck caused by a drunk driver, call a Richardson DWI accident injury lawyer for help.

Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. has a track record of success representing wreck victims in auto accident claims. Attorney Jerry Andrews is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, which means he is prepared to advocate for you in trial to argue for the compensation you deserve.

What Damages Can You Be Paid for in a Texas DWI Case?

Texas law allows injured people to pursue compensation that reflects the full cost of a drunk driving accident, and in some cases, courts can award punitive damages on top of the standard categories of recovery.

Compensable damages in a DWI accident claim can include medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.

When a drunk driving accident results in a death, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim that includes compensation for the loss of companionship, financial support, and the grief caused by losing someone in a preventable accident. Punitive damages, which are designed to punish especially reckless conduct rather than simply compensate for losses, are available in Texas civil cases where the evidence supports them.

Can I Still File a DWI Accident Claim if the Other Driver Was Not Charged With a Crime?

A civil personal injury claim and a criminal DWI charge are separate legal matters. The outcome of a criminal case, or the decision not to pursue one, does not determine whether an injured person can recover compensation in a civil claim. The standards are different. A criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while a civil claim requires showing that the other driver was more likely than not at fault for the accident.

A driver can be found civilly liable for causing a wreck while impaired even if charges were never filed, if charges were reduced, or if the driver was acquitted. Evidence of impairment, including police reports, field sobriety results, witness observations, and toxicology records, can still support a civil claim regardless of what happened in the criminal process.