We Fight for Victims of Drunk Driving
A drunk driving crash can be devastating. If a drunk driver injured you or a loved one, you may be facing expensive medical bills and other losses. Working with an experienced drunk driving attorney can help you get the compensation you need to pay these bills and heal both physically and emotionally.
The attorneys at Crosley Law have experience handling drunk driving crash claims in San Antonio and throughout Texas – and a track record of success. Schedule a free consultation today by filling out our online contact form or calling 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000.
Drunk Driving Is a Significant Problem in San Antonio
San Antonio’s drunk driving crash rates have been relatively stable in recent years. However, even though government agencies and non-profits have campaigned to reduce drunk driving, too many people still drive while intoxicated.
In 2018, drunk driving in San Antonio alone caused at least:
- 1,830 crashes
- 42 fatalities
- 856 injuries
These statistics may underestimate the frequency of drunk, drugged, and buzzed driving injuries in our city, since many researchers believe that driver intoxication is underreported.
Who Is Responsible for My Injuries From a Drunk Driving Crash?
Our drunk driving attorneys always focus on determining who is responsible for the crash. While you may think this should be obvious, there are often other parties besides the drunk driver who contributed to the wreck and your injuries.
Demanding Compensation From the Drunk Driver
After a drunk driver injures you in a crash, you will want to file a claim with their insurance company. This may seem like a relatively cut-and-dry claim, but issues may arise – especially if the drunk driver disputes the accuracy of their blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) testing.
Additionally, you should never wait to file your injury claim until a jury convicts the drunk driver. There are strict filing deadlines in Texas personal injury lawsuits. If you wait too long, you may lose out on your right to compensation.
Finally, while a prosecutor may file criminal charges against the drunk driver, they cannot represent you in your injury claims. Instead, you will need to consult with a skilled San Antonio car crash lawyer.
Holding Bars and Restaurants Responsible for Overserving Drunk Drivers
Under Texas’ dram shop laws, bars and restaurants that knowingly overserve alcohol to a customer may be responsible for victims’ injuries. However, you’ll need to prove that the driver was obviously intoxicated and presented a clear danger. This isn’t an easy process, and it’s best to consult with an experienced San Antonio lawyer before pursuing a dram shop claim against a bar.
Other potentially responsible parties include:
- A host who overserved a minor (under 18 years old) at a social event.
- An adult who purchased alcohol for a minor.
Our legal team can help you identify exactly who contributed to your injuries and build a plan to hold them accountable.
What Can I Recover From a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving crash, you are entitled to compensation for all of your injuries, expenses, and other losses. These could include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Therapy or rehabilitation costs
- Lost income and wage-earning capacity
- Compensation for your pain and suffering
- Auto repair expenses
- Punitive damages for gross negligence and extreme intoxication
How Much Is My San Antonio Drunk Driving Claim Worth?
Your amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and damages, the negligent parties, and all the applicable insurance policies. Possible insurance policies include:
- The drunk driver’s auto liability policy
- The bar or restaurant’s insurance policy
- Your personal injury protection (PIP)
- Your uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance policies
Many of these insurance policies are optional in the State of Texas. Unfortunately, many San Antonians only have basic auto liability coverage because that is all that Texas requires – which may not fully cover their catastrophic injuries. That’s why we encourage everyone to purchase as much insurance coverage as they can reasonably afford.
If you need help identifying all the insurance policies that cover your drunk driving injury claims, contact Crosley Law today.
We Take a Cutting-Edge Approach to Drunk and Drugged Driving Claims
Our attorneys know how to investigate drunk driving crashes and identify all the factors and parties involved. We collect and review evidence such as:
- Crash scene and police reports
- BAC and drug tests
- Witness testimony
- Footage from surveillance cameras and dashcams
- Driver background and license checks
- Medical and hospital records
- Information about your employment and wage-earning capacity
- Opinions from toxicologists, physicians, and other experts
Additionally, if we suspect someone knowingly overserved the driver, we can reconstruct their steps and work to hold the bar or host responsible for your injuries as well.
By identifying all the negligent parties responsible and developing an accurate estimation of past and future damages from the crash, we maximize our clients’ compensation.
Crosley Law Fights to Make San Antonio Roads Safe From Drunk Drivers
To Crosley Law, drunk driving injury claims are more than just cases; they’re a cause. We recognize the significant danger that drunk driving presents to all road users, and fight to hold drunk drivers responsible for their actions and keep others safe from harm.
To further this goal, we sometimes handle drunk driving cases pro bono, especially when they involve police officers injured by drunk drivers while on the job.
Contact our attorneys today to learn more about your rights and options if you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk driver in San Antonio. Complete our brief online form or call 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000 to schedule your free consultation.
References
Castle, I., Ye, H., Hingson, R., White, A. (2014, March). State variation in underreporting of alcohol involvement on death certificates: Motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities as an example. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 75(2), 299-311. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3965684/
Texas Department of Transportation. (2019, August). Texas motor vehicle crash statistics: Cumulative crash statistics 2003–2018. Austin, TX: Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.txdot.gov/government/enforcement/annual-summary.html
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
Do you or a family member
need legal advice?
Crosley Law Firm, PC is a professional corporation of trial lawyers focused on representing individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injuries or wrongful death. If you’ve been injured, fill out the form for a free consultation, or call 210-LAW-3000.