Austin Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Aggressive Representation for Victims of Drunk Drivers

Despite the great responsibility all drivers bear to reasonably ensure the safety of others on the road, thousands of people get behind the wheel impaired every day. Careless, reckless, and negligent drivers drink or consume drugs before hitting the road, leading to countless preventable accidents.

In 2013, accidents involving drunk drivers took the lives of 1,337 people and injured 15,687 more in the state of Texas alone. Texas was the leader of the nation that year for drunk-driver-related crashes—a title the Lone Star State doesn’t want. Lawsuits against drunk and drugged drivers who cause accidents can help put an end to this tragedy.

If you were injured or your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, contact the Austin drunk driving accident attorneys at Briggle & Polan, PLLC as soon as possible. We believe that people who put others’ lives at risk by choosing to get behind the wheel while intoxicated should be held accountable. We are real trial attorneys who are fully prepared to represent you in the courtroom if a fair settlement with the liable insurance party cannot be reached.

Contact us online or by phone at (512) 400-3278 for a free, no-obligation consultation. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we can come to you.

DWI Laws in Texas

Austin is infamous for its high car accident rates. Congested highways, bustling intersections, and distracted drivers fill Austin, making the roadways dangerous. As the state’s capital and a major tourist destination, Austin sees millions of visitors every year. We welcome tourists, but unfortunately, people who are here to have a good time can cause deadly driving-while-impaired (DWI) accidents.

Tourists and Texans alike are guilty of drunk or drugged driving. Failure to take responsibility for one’s actions can lead to making the poor, often fatal, decision to drive impaired. Understanding DWI laws in Texas will help you recognize when you’re unfit to drive, as well as help you know your rights if you’ve been in an accident with a drunk or drugged driver in Austin or another Texan city.

Things you need to know about driving while impaired in Texas:

• Law enforcement officials consider a person legally intoxicated if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher.
• Drivers with commercial driver’s licenses cannot drive with a BAC level of 0.04% or higher.
• Texas has a Zero-Tolerance Policy for underage drinkers and drivers. Anyone under the age of 21 cannot test positive for any BAC level, or else they will face DWI penalties.
• Regardless of a driver’s BAC level, law officials can charge a driver with DWI if drugs are impairing the driver.
• It’s illegal in Texas to drive with an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of your vehicle. This is true even if you’re parked on the side of a public highway. Breaking this law is a class C misdemeanor, punishable with up to a $500 fine.
• If an officer charges you with DWI and open container, it’s a class B misdemeanor. This charge carries a minimum of six days in jail.

If the driver responsible for your crash gets convicted of a DWI or open container, you have the opportunity to file a claim against him or her for negligence. Negligence claims based on drunk or drugged driving can potentially use the driver’s sobriety tests as evidence of his or her impairment at the time of the accident. Test results such as a scientific BAC level from a breathalyzer and field sobriety tests, as well as the arresting officer’s personal observations of the driver, can all work in your favor to prove a driver’s negligence.

Filing a Claim Against a Drunk Driver

Drunk driving should not be taken lightly and serious repercussions should be given to those who cause an accident from this level of negligence. Even if the defendant is convicted of DUI, a civil lawsuit can also be filed against them for the damages you have suffered as a result of their actions.

There are certain steps that you must take to file a DUI claim for compensation:

1. Call your Austin car accident attorney - Don’t try to file a claim on your own or else you may be foregoing the compensation you rightfully deserve.
2. Investigation - Your attorney will likely need to complete a thorough investigation of the case and compile evidence.
3. Settle your case - Once all evidence has been compiled and your attorney has determined an appropriate case value, the next step is to negotiate with the other party’s insurance company.

This is not a process you want to try to handle on your own. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer will fight for the fair compensation that you deserve.

Austin DUI Accident Attorneys You Can Trust

If you’re one of the thousands of Texans who suffer catastrophic injuries or other serious damages each year because of a drunk or drugged driver, protect your rights by hiring a DUI accident lawyer.

The Austin drunk driving accident attorneys at Briggle & Polan, PLLC have a passion for helping victims of impaired and negligent drivers in Texas. We can help you understand your rights and options for potentially winning compensation, as well as take over communication with insurance companies on your behalf, freeing your mind to focus on healing.

Don’t let an irresponsible, impaired driver get away scot-free for causing you serious personal injury. Call (512) 400-3278 or get in touch with us online to request a free initial consultation. Se habla español.