DWI/DUI/Drunk Driving Accidents

When someone gets behind the wheel while under the influence, it can cause serious consequences for other people on the road. Drunk driving is a common cause of serious accidents, often leaving victims who are suffering from long-term injuries that impact their quality of life. Not only is recovery a challenge because of the physical injuries, but there is a significant financial and emotional toll on the victim and their families.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are both dangerous situations that can forever alter the lives of those involved. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes impairments that affect a person’s reactions and responses when they are driving. Even though driving under the influence is illegal, people still make poor choices and cause severe injuries on the road.

If you need a drunk driving injury lawyer in McKinney, then Wormington & Bollinger is the team to call. We have experience helping clients with DWI and DUI accident cases, helping each person seek compensation and obtain the justice they deserve. Reach out to our team at your convenience to discuss how you will benefit by working with our experienced firm.

Drunk Driving Accidents: The Shocking Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve a drunk driver behind the wheel. Over 13,000 victims are killed annually because of alcohol-related accidents.

The shocking truth is that Texas often ranks among the top states for DWI-related fatalities. We are continuing to see the rate of drunk driving accidents increasing each year. For example, in 2022, over 14,000 people in Texas were injured in alcohol-related accidents, and more than 1,100 people lost their lives because of drunk drivers.

Even if you are a safe driver, you never know how the reckless behavior of other drivers will impact you. Victims of drunk driving accidents often sustain severe injuries that affect their ability to work and keep up with normal life responsibilities.

How Victims are Suffering: Common Injuries in DWI/DUI Accidents

Your quality of life can change in an instant: the moment the impact occurs because of a drunk driver on the road. The nature of these accidents tends to result in severe injuries, especially when the driver at fault is so intoxicated that they fail to respond appropriately in the collision.

Some of the most common injuries that occur from drunk driving accidents include:

• Severe Head and Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones and Fractures
• Internal Injuries
• Whiplash and Neck Injuries
• Lacerations and Burns
• Fatalities and Wrongful Death

Each of these injuries can be serious on their own. The situation gets even worse when multiple injuries happen simultaneously. Often, victims are working with many medical specialists and going through months (or years) of therapy to try to regain their health and lifestyle.

Some of these injuries that affect the head and/or spinal cord can cause permanent, life-long consequences. Death is also a possibility when internal injuries are sustained and medical treatment isn’t sufficient to control the bleeding.

Texas Laws and U.S. Laws on Drunk Driving Accidents

Both federal and state laws are in place to protect our roadways and reduce the risk of drunk driving accidents. But the reality is that people still get behind the wheel when they are under the influence. These laws are designed to advocate for victims, seek justice against the perpetrators, and discourage DWI/DUI.

Texas DWI Laws

In the state of Texas, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If a person is driving with a BAC over this legal limit, then they will face severe consequences for drunk driving.

Depending on the offense, the penalties might include fines, suspension of their driver’s license, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even jail time. These penalties increase in severity for people who are repeat offenders, are driving with higher BAC levels, and drunk drivers who have minors in the vehicles.

A drunk driver might face criminal charges for their actions. At the same time, victims can choose to hire a DWI accident lawyer in McKinney if they want to pursue a civil lawsuit. Not only will the driver be dealing with criminal prosecution, but the civil suit is designed to support the victim with compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

United States DUI Laws

Even though specific DUI/DWI laws vary from state to state, most parts of the country have similar limits for BAC levels.

Federal laws are in place for commercial drivers, especially since trucking and commercial accidents can cause serious damage and injuries. For example, federal law prohibits commercial drivers from being behind the wheel with a BAC over 0.04%. Professional drivers have a higher responsibility to maintain safety on the road, especially because they are spending so much time driving.

In addition to drivers being held accountable for drunk driving, federal laws known as the Dram Shop Act can also hold establishments accountable. For example, if the restaurant or bar overserves alcohol to a person who later causes a drunk driving accident, then the establishment could be found liable for the accident.

Your Legal Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident

When you have been hit by a drunk driver, then know that you have the right to seek compensation. A DUI accident attorney in McKinney, such as our experienced team at Wormington & Bollinger, can help you access the financial compensation that you deserve.

Often, ongoing medical care and rehabilitation are necessary to help with the recovery. Victims also commonly need necessary lifestyle modifications, which could require financial support as well.

Access to compensation helps you live the best life possible after a drunk driving accident. In addition to coverage for your medical bills, you might also be able to receive financial compensation for lost wages, lifestyle adjustments, pain and suffering, and more. Families can also pursue a wrongful death case if their loved one dies in a drunk driving accident.

Our team at Wormington & Bollinger is here to advocate on your behalf. We seek justice, negotiate for your compensation, and ensure that you can live with dignity despite the life-long consequences of the injuries.

Why Choose Wormington & Bollinger for Drunk Driving Accident Cases?

At Wormington & Bollinger, we are dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions. If you are looking for the best DUI accident attorney in Texas, then we invite you to schedule a consultation to learn more about the services that we provide.

Our team has years of experience specializing in DWI/DUI accident cases. We’ve helped many victims secure compensation, and we’ve identified the most effective solutions for negotiating these cases.

Not only do we work with victims directly, but we are also here to support the victim’s family as well. If your family has lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, then call us right away to learn more about your legal rights and potential compensation.

Rest assured knowing that we work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t need to pay anything out of pocket unless the case is won. There are no upfront legal fees or retainers that need to be paid. If we agree to move forward on the case, then our team will be paid only when the settlement comes through.

Legal Recourse to Hold Drunk Drivers Accountable

Drunk drivers should not be on the road, which is why severe consequences and penalties are in place for people who break these laws. Both criminal charges and civil lawsuits can be used to seek justice for the accident victims.

The state of Texas will make the decision about whether criminal charges are filed for drunk driving. Then, the charges will go through the court processes to determine if the person is found guilty. Additionally, the court determines the appropriate consequences if the driver is convicted.

In addition to the criminal penalties the driver is facing, the person might also be punished through civil lawsuits. These private cases are between the parties involved in the accident. For example, the victim can choose to sue the drunk driver to receive compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

At Wormington & Bollinger, we work to thoroughly investigate each case. If you are the victim of a DWI/DUI accident, then contact us to meet with a Texas drunk driving accident lawyer. We take care of every detail necessary for building your case, including examinations of police reports, witness statements, and blood alcohol test results.

How Much Compensation Do Drunk Driving Accident Victims Receive?

How big of a settlement should you expect if you pursue compensation for a drunk driving accident? Your McKinney DUI accident attorney will be proactive about including various compensation requests in your civil lawsuit:

Medical Expenses: The costs can start to add up when you need immediate medical care, as well as ongoing treatments throughout your recovery. Car accident victims often need rehabilitation, surgeries, and even long-term care during this time.

Lost Wages: Not only can you ask for compensation for the time you are missing from work during recovery. But if the injuries will impact your ability to work in the future, then you might be compensated for future wages due to the permanent disabilities.

Pain and Suffering: You can’t put a price tag on the pain, stress, and emotional trauma you experience during and after a drunk driving accident. But there is financial compensation available to make your life a little easier.

Property Damage: If your car or other type of personal property was damaged in the accident, then your lawyer can include this compensation request in your case. For example, you might receive money to repair or replace your vehicle.

Wrongful Death: When a person dies from the injuries of a drunk driving accident, then the family should seek support from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. You can receive compensation to cover the associated medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.

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