According to the Texas Department of Transportation, alcohol-related crashes killed nearly 1,000 Texans last year alone. If your loved one died in a crash caused by a drunk driver, this number is much more than a mere statistic. Losing a loved one in a preventable car accident is devastating and overwhelming. Many surviving family members wonder what their legal options are in a situation like this. They ask, “How can I hold the guilty party responsible?” Individuals who have lost a loved one may bring a wrongful death claim or a survival action to seek justice and financial compensation.
Wrongful Death Claims in Texas
When someone dies because of another party’s illegal or negligent actions, the surviving loved ones have a right to pursue a claim against the at-fault party. In the case of a drunk driving accident, the at-fault driver may face criminal charges for intoxication manslaughter. While criminal charges may provide some degree of closure, criminal penalties do not offer restitution to the loved ones left behind.
...