Fort Worth DWI Accident Lawyer Serving Tarrant County and Surrounding Areas
Drunk driving is a serious problem in Texas. In 2021, there were 1077 people killed and 2,551 seriously injured after someone got behind the wheel impaired, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Hardly a day goes by when you don’t hear about someone being killed or injured in a drunk-driving accident in Fort Worth or the surrounding areas. The Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer at Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group understands how devastating this type of crash can be.
When a motorist causes a DWI accident in which someone is injured or killed, chances are good that he or she is going to be arrested and face criminal prosecution. But what about the victim(s) of the wreck? Who is going to protect their rights and ensure that they get the compensation they deserve for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering? That’s where our Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer comes in.
At Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group, we have extensive experience representing people who have been victimized due to the negligent, reckless or wrongful acts of others. In this article, our Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer will explain what to do if your life has been shattered due to a drunk-driving accident, how to hold the responsible party accountable, and what kind of compensation you may be eligible to receive.
Best of all, going through this process with our team will not cost you anything out of pocket. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s recklessness and negligence. We handle DWI accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Involved in a Fort Worth DWI Accident?
A Fort Worth DWI accident is a car accident in which one or more drivers are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. In Texas, someone is considered intoxicated if their blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher, or if they do not have normal use of their mental or physical faculties due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
Drivers involved in a DWI wreck often face criminal charges depending on the severity of the crash, including DWI, intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter. They can also face civil liability, which occurs when the injured party or their loved one pursues a personal injury claim or lawsuit seeking monetary damages for injuries or wrongful death.
The Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer at Varghese Summersett focuses on personal injury cases involving injuries or death caused by drunk drivers. Our team will help you understand your rights and legal options and hold the negligent driver civilly responsible for their actions.
How do you sue a drunk driver?
If you were hit by a suspected drunk driver in Fort Worth or the surrounding area and injured, there are a number of things you should do to put yourself in the best position for a successful personal injury claim or lawsuit.
- Assess Your Injuries. Your first priority should be to assess your injuries. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911. If you don’t think your injuries are serious, it is still extremely important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
- Call Police. You should always call the police after any type of accident, but this is especially important in a suspected DWI accident. The police will be able to collect evidence that can help prove that the other driver was intoxicated, so you can use it in your injury claim or lawsuit.
- Document the Scene. Document the scene by taking pictures or videos of the damage to the vehicles and any visible injuries you or anyone else sustained. You also should write down the contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Keep Track of All Expenses. In addition to documenting the accident scene, you should keep track of all expenses related to your injuries. This includes medical bills and records, repair costs for the damaged vehicle, lost wages from missed work, and any other out-of-pocket costs you incur as a result of the crash.
- Contact a Fort Worth DWI Accident Lawyer. Contact an experienced Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident involving a drunk driver. An attorney can ensure that your rights are protected and can handle the insurance process for you and take action on your behalf.
- Don’t Talk the Other Driver’s Insurance Company. It’s important to understand that the other’s driver’s insurance company is not on your side – even if the other driver was arrested for DWI. They are looking to minimize their pay-out. For this reason, you should not talk to them or give a statement without first consulting with an attorney.
At Varghese Summersett, our Fort Worth DWI accident lawyers have years of experience helping victims of drunk driving accidents throughout Tarrant County and the surrounding area. We can help you, too.
How do you prove a Fort Worth DWI accident case?
After a DWI wreck, it seems obvious that the liable party is the driver who consumed too much alcohol and then got behind the wheel. However, you will still have to prove the following to win a personal injury lawsuit settlement or claim:
- The other driver (defendant) owed a duty of care. (You share the road);
- The other driver breached his or her duty of care. (He or she was intoxicated and made a bad decision to drive, which was recklessness and negligent);
- Their actions lead to injury and losses. (He or she caused a car accident);
- You suffered specific, quantifiable damages.
With drunk driving cases, proving the other driver was intoxicated is enough to prove negligence. In order to do that, our attorneys can often turn to the criminal case and use evidence such as the police report, witness testimony, and toxicology reports from the defendant’s blood or breath test. We also use expert witnesses to explain how intoxication affected the other driver’s reaction time and decision-making capabilities.
Are drunk drivers always at fault in Texas?
Texas is an at-fault state when it comes to auto accident insurance claims, meaning that the person responsible for the accident is also responsible for paying for damages. If you and your attorney can prove that the drunk driver caused the accident, they will be held liable for your damages.
Who can be sued for a Fort Worth DWI accident?
Because Texas is an at-fault state, you can usually sue the intoxicated driver for damages, as well as the insurance company. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may also be able to hold other parties liable for their role in causing or contributing to the accident, such as the bar or restaurant that overserved the driver.
A Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer at Varghese Summersett Personal Injury Group can explain all of your options to determine who should be held accountable for the injuries and damages you or your loved one suffered in a DWI wreck. We will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
What types of compensation can I receive from a drunk driving accident in North Texas?
The amount of compensation you can receive from a drunk driving accident in North Texas will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and losses. You may be able to recover:
- Economic damages: This includes compensation for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
- Non-economic damages: These are more subjective losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement or disability, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, you may be awarded punitive damages if it can be proven that the drunk driver acted with gross negligence.
Losses can be difficult to quantify, which is why having a skilled Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer is so important. Our attorneys at Varghese Summersett will fight for the compensation you deserve and help you through this difficult time.
Is there a time limit to filing a DWI accident claim in Texas?
Yes. Under Texas law, you only have up to two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim in court or reach a settlement out of court. After this deadline passes, you will lose your right to pursue compensation for damages sustained in the wreck.
What if I can’t afford a Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer right now?
At Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group, we understand that not everyone has the financial resources to pay for legal services out-of-pocket. This is especially true if you have incurred mounting medical bills and lost wages due to the accident. That’s why we offer a free case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay us anything unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Speak to a Fort Worth DWI accident lawyer today.
If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has been killed in a DWI accident, it’s imperative to speak with an experienced Fort Worth DWI wreck lawyer as soon as possible. Our team is here to help. We will review the details of the case and walk you through every step of the legal process so you can focus on healing and recovery.
Contact us today discuss your legal options in a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation to hire our firm after your evaluation. Contact us today at 817-207-4878 (HURT).
