If you were the victim of an accident caused by a drunk driver, you could qualify to receive financial compensation. Drunk driving is illegal and dangerous, and you could have grounds for legal action if a drunk driver led to your injuries and damages.
To learn more about your legal options, you might want to consult an Austin drunk driving accident lawyer. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233, and a team member will discuss your case and answer your questions free of charge. You deserve fair compensation for the damages you incurred due to a drunk driving accident.
How Alcohol Impairs Driving Ability
If a driver operates a vehicle with a high enough alcohol level in their system, they have broken the law. One measures the amount of alcohol in the body through blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The BAC level deemed illegal can vary slightly based on jurisdiction, but every state makes it unlawful to operate a vehicle when your BAC reaches a high enough level.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) explains how a .08 BAC makes a driver legally intoxicated, although they could still face driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges even with a lower BAC.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlines how alcohol can affect the ability to drive safely:
- A BAC of .02 can cause a deterioration in one’s vision and make multitasking difficult. Both are essential to driving a vehicle safely.
- A BAC approaching .05 affects coordination and reaction time, resulting in the inability to steer and operate a vehicle effectively.
- A .08 BAC can make it challenging to concentrate on the road, affect your ability to control your car’s speed, and cause short-term memory loss.
- As BAC reaches .10, drunk drivers could have difficulty staying in their lane or braking properly.
- Drivers with BAC levels of .15 and beyond pose a significant risk to other road users. Motorists illegally operating vehicles while intoxicated to this level are in grave danger of causing an accident.
Driving after consuming any amount of alcohol is dangerous, whether their BAC barely registered on a breathalyzer, or they operated their car with an extremely high BAC level.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accidents lawyer serving Austin, call (844) 730-0233
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
If a drunk driver caused your accident and suffering, you are sadly not alone. TxDOT reports that Travis County saw 1,454 drunk driving-related accidents in 2019, with over 46 percent of all drunk driving crashes resulting in injuries or death. Sadly, 22 people lost their lives that year at the hands of a drunk driver.
These figures do not account for the hundreds of thousands of dollars that county residents incur in medical expenses and property damage resulting from drunk driving accidents.
If you suffered the economic and emotional effects of a drunk driving crash, you could have grounds for legal action. To learn more about your next steps, you could consult an Austin drunk driving accident lawyer. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to understand your options, as you could receive compensation for your damages.
Austin Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Suffering and Loss
You might suffer significant physical injuries in the aftermath of your accident. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents range greatly from minor to severe. If you were lucky, you might have walked away from the crash scene without requiring immediate medical care. In other cases, injuries could require emergency medical attention or lead to permanent disability.
Even if you feel OK after an accident, an injury can still develop down the road. Some common injuries after a drunk driving collision include:
- Cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and abrasions
- Injuries to the head, neck, and spine
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Stress, anxiety, and other forms of mental or emotional suffering
- Broken bones, dislocations, and other bone and joint injuries
- Internal organ injuries
Not only can injuries prove detrimental to your health, but they could also affect your everyday life. You might even find yourself unable to perform tasks at work, limiting your capacity to earn the income you need to cover your monthly bills.
Some injuries require ongoing medical treatment, and even with insurance, medical bills can add up quickly. Many drunk driving accident victims experience financial hardship because of their medical care needs and ensuing lifestyle changes.
You may have also lost your vehicle or personal property. While nothing can change the fact that you suffered because of the irresponsibility of a third party, you can do something to make your life easier moving forward. Taking legal action could help you recover the justice and compensation you deserve.
Victims of drunk driving accidents who file successful legal claims can receive awards for:
- Damaged property
- Medical expenses
- Legal fees
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
If a loved one died in the accident, you can also file a wrongful death claim and recover awards for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and more. An Austin drunk driving accident lawyer can help you determine the types of potentially recoverable compensation in your case.
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Act Before Time Runs Out
While taking legal action is not for every victim, you might find it beneficial to speak with a car accident lawyer to understand your options before choosing how best to move forward. Keep in mind that you only have a limited time to take legal action. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003 allows you only two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. That might seem like a long time, but consider that memories fade, evidence disappears, and witnesses move away. It takes time to build a successful lawsuit. You might want to act quickly, so you don’t lose your chance to recover compensation.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
As you explore your legal options and educate yourself on the legal process, you might wonder what steps to take to make your life easier during this challenging time. An Austin drunk driving accident lawyer is available to help. A team member at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can answer your questions and walk you through the next steps available for you and your loved ones. Call (844) 730-0233 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
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