dui injury damages

What Damages Could I Receive if a Drunk Driver Injures Me?

An innocent person was recently killed in a drunk driving accident in downtown Houston. The accident occurred in the early morning hours. A suspected drunk driver in an SUV ran a red light at an intersection and collided with a car attempting to cross traffic. Investigators report that the driver of the SUV had come from a nightclub. His BAC was over twice the legal limit. An occupant in the car was killed in the crash, while the intoxicated driver of the SUV and a passenger were transported to the hospital.

Drunk Driving Statistics

Despite decades of aggressive public education about the dangers of drunk driving, drivers today continue to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs and alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 10,000 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2015, comprising a third of all traffic related fatalities in the country.

Innocent drivers across Texas are at serious risk of injury by drunk drivers every time they get behind the wheel. As such, it is important that you know what to do if you are ever in an accident involving a suspected drunk driver. Following any accident, you should immediately call the police. This is especially critical if the driver may be drunk. Notify the responding officers of your concerns and, if warranted, they will perform the necessary tests to assess the driver’s sobriety. Breath and blood tests will prove critical to your later personal injury action.

Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident Case

A drunk driving accident could inflict great costs on you financially and emotionally. Your injuries post-accident may prevent you from returning to work, sometimes permanently. Accident victims in Texas can seek recovery for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the drunk driver that hit them.

In addition to these compensatory damages, Texas plaintiffs may be able to seek exemplary damages. These damages are awarded to the plaintiff as a way to punish the drunk driver. Exemplary damages will be capped based on your economic and non-economic damage award, but can be quite substantial. Contact a drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible after your injury to protect your legal rights.

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