Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Driving drunk is one of the most dangerous and frequently committed crimes in the United States. Unfortunately, many people become comfortable driving “buzzed,” where they are technically under the legal limit of .08% blood alcohol concentration, and can easily segue into driving with a BAC above the legal limit. According to MADD, by the time a drunk driver is arrested, he or she will have driven drunk, on average, over 80 times. This pervading sense of confidence and “it won’t happen to me” attitude encourages risky habits and increases the chances of the driver getting in dangerous—and potentially deadly—accidents.

At the Benton Law Firm, our Dallas drunk driving accident attorneys recognize the incredible danger that drunk driving poses to other drivers and how devastating these accidents can be for the victims and their families. Our team is devoted to pursuing the victim’s civil suit and working to get our clients any compensation to which they may be entitled. To learn more about how we can help you recover after an accident with a drunk driver, contact us at (214) 777-7777 to schedule a free consultation.

Why You Need a Lawyer

Though a drunk driver will most likely be brought to criminal court for their actions, this case may not afford you and your family any compensation. Criminal cases are totally separate from civil cases. In order to recover financial compensation for your injuries and expenses, you will need to bring your own claim in civil court, even if the driver is found guilty in criminal court.

To be successful in civil court, you will need to prove that the driver was negligent. In drunk driving claims, this will generally require you to prove that:

• The driver was intoxicated
• Their intoxication directly caused the accident
• The accident caused you significant injuries and expenses

It can be difficult to prove these elements, especially when you are trying to recover from a serious injury. Rather than trying to fight against aggressive insurance agents and lawyers who will try to twist your words and pressure you to settle for less than your claim is worth, hire a lawyer. A skilled and experienced attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to fully understand the facts surrounding your case. Your attorney will understand the best strategy to prove that your injuries were the fault of another person’s negligence, including which witnesses to depose and which experts to call on at trial. Lawyers have resources that are not generally available to the public, and will be far more likely to recover the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Why Choose The Benton Law Firm?

At The Benton Law Firm, our number one goal is to provide compassionate yet aggressive representation so our clients get the best possible results. With millions of dollars recovered for our past clients, the attorneys at The Benton Law Firm have the experience and skills required to obtain compensation for those injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. We have won numerous awards and accolades, including a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident as a result of someone’s drunk driving, The Benton Law Firm is here to listen to your story. We provide a free consultation to all potential clients so that we can help you to determine whether you have a personal injury case and the best route to take in handling your case. We are available 24/7 and will promptly return all calls and messages.

The Benton Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We will also cover all the upfront costs of your case ourselves.

Dangers of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Contrary to popular belief, the effects of alcohol are a result of the number of drinks an individual consumes in a certain amount of time—not on the type of alcohol consumed. Therefore, for example, having three beers over the course of an hour with friends can easily raise an individual’s BAC to illegal levels. The effects of alcohol on motor skills and mental capacity are numerous and can become severe with excessive alcohol consumption. These effects include:

• Increased reaction time
•  Lack of coordination and balance
•  Drowsiness
•  Inability to focus
•  Impaired vision
•  Irrational and impulsive decisions

Pairing these symptoms with a heavy, powerful motor vehicle is extremely dangerous. Drunk driving can result in serious injury, including brain and head trauma, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, broken bones, and even fatality.

Common Drunk Driving Injuries

Injuries that result from a drunk driving accident can be more severe than those resulting from other accidents. They can result in long-lasting issues and disabilities that stick with the victims for the rest of their lives. Some common injuries associated with accidents caused by a person’s driving under the influence include:

• Injuries to the head and brain trauma
• Spinal cord injuries that can result in partial and full paralysis
• Broken bones, fractures, and dislocations
• Severe cuts, scrapes, and bruises
• Internal bleeding and injuries to organs
• Disfigurement and scarring

Sustaining these injuries can require extensive medical treatment. Such medical treatment can be extremely costly, and result in debts that cannot be paid by victims of drunk driving accidents. An attorney can help you to recover the costs associated with your injuries and the high medical bills that accumulate as a result of treatment.

Furthermore, many drunk driving accidents tragically result in fatal injuries. If your loved one passed away in or as a result of a drunk driving accident, a lawyer can also help you pursue a wrongful death claim.

Compensation Available

There are many types of compensation that you may be entitled to when you are injured in a drunk driving accident. The compensation you obtain is meant to help you to get back to the life you had prior to the accident. Compensation can include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Loss of future earning capacity when you are unable to work and unable to be employed in the future due to disability
• Disability expenses
• Rehabilitative expenses
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish

When you are the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a person who was killed by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to damages as a result of their wrongful death. In a wrongful death claim, you may be entitled to the following types of recovery:

• Medical expenses leading up to their death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Mental or emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of care, services, and financial support that the deceased would have provided to the family
• Loss of love and companionship
• Loss of inheritance

Lastly, punitive damages may be available in your claim. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious behavior and discourage similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages generally aren’t available in most personal injury lawsuits, and are reserved instead for cases where gross negligence occurred. Because drunk driving is so dangerous and grossly negligent or reckless, there is a higher likelihood of punitive damages being awarded in a drunk driving accident case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, every state has a statute of limitations. This places a limit on the amount of time you have to file your claim. In Texas, the statute of limitations for drunk driving accidents is two years. What this means is that you have two years from the date of your accident or two years from the date of your loved ones death to file a claim for compensation.

While two years may seem like ample time, it is important to speak with an attorney and start your claim as soon as possible. As more time passes, it may become more difficult to conduct an investigation, interview witnesses, or prove your injuries. Crucial evidence may disappear, so do not hesitate to contact a lawyer.

Contact a Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Our legal team at The Benton Law Firm understands that the after-effects of a devastating accident can take an enormous toll—physical, emotional, and financial—on the injured party and his or her family. If you or a loved one has been a victim in a drunk driving accident, know that you may be entitled to compensation as well as justice for any injury or wrongful death that may have occurred. Call our Dallas offices at (214) 777-7777 and schedule a consultation to discuss your potential case and explore your legal options.