DWI / DUI Accidents
Houston, TX DWI/DUI Crash Lawyer Helping Injured Victims Seek Compensation
Drunk driving accidents can result in severe injuries or death, impacting the quality of life for both the victim and the victim's family. In Houston, TX, drunk driving accident lawyer Shane R. Kadlec and team of board-certified personal injury attorneys can handle all aspects of your case, holding the responsible party accountable for injuries and damages. Mr. Kadlec has been practicing for over 20 years and understands the unique complexities of these cases, so he can ensure you receive maximum compensation.
In addition, our team works on a contingency basis, so you can focus on recovery without worrying about legal fees. If you or your loved one has been injured in a DUI accident, contact our office now to discuss the details of your case. Initial consultations are completely free.
Serious Injuries Caused By Drunk Driving Accidents
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol can have disastrous consequences for drivers and passengers alike. A DUI accident is more likely to involve head-on and side-impact (T-bone) collisions, which can result in serious injuries. Sadly, these types of injuries are often life-threatening, and survivors may face a lifetime of complications. Victims of drunk driving accidents may sustain:
- Head or brain injuries
- Multiple broken or shattered bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Third and fourth degree burns
- Loss of limbs
Often, these injuries require extensive and ongoing medical treatment. To relive the financial burden, our team can help secure just compensation for you.
Damages DUI Accident Victims Can Pursue in Texas
Often, victims with serious injuries are unable to return to work for extended periods of time, if at all. In addition, they must learn to cope with the emotional trauma of an accident. When victims decide to take legal action, they can collect reparations for:
- Present and perceived future medical expenses
- Loss of wages or income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of companionship
After an accident, we can conduct a thorough investigation to ensure all parties are held accountable. We can pursue not only the individual driving the car, but also any local establishments, such as bars or restaurants, that may have contributed to over-intoxication. In cases of gross negligence, victims can choose to pursue punitive damages, which increase the financial punishment for parties responsible.
An Injury Attorney Is Critical to the Success of Your Claim
Following a car accident, you may be contacted by the other party's insurance company. Claims adjusters seek to minimize the settlement amount you receive, which could leave you unable to pay medical bills and other expenses incurred. However, Mr. Kadlec is a board-certified personal injury attorney who can aggressively advocate for your rights. He can handle all negotiations with insurance companies and can guide you during any legal discussions or proceedings to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Our team can also ensure you receive expert medical care, so you can focus on recovery while we handle all aspects of your case.
DWI/DUI Accidents FAQs
Answer: There may be more than one party you could recover damages from. The drunk driver himself, of course, is liable for any harm he causes. If the drunk driver had insurance, then filing a claim with his insurance company is usually the first step. However, in Texas, you may have a third option. Our “Dram Shop” laws can sometimes be use to hold a drinking establishment liable for harm caused by one of its patrons.
Answer: Under Texas’s Dram Shop laws, a bar, club, restaurant, or other business where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises can be held liable if they furnished alcohol to a person who was clearly already intoxicated, and that person went on to cause harm to others as a result of their intoxication.
Answer: While a DUI arrest can make it easier to prove your case, it is not necessary. Our attorneys may be able to use other evidence to show a civil court that the driver’s intoxication caused the accident.
Answer: You may be able to recover financial compensation for a wide variety of expenses and financial losses related to the accident. This includes current and future medical bills, lost wages including impairment to future earning capacity, and compensation for emotional harm and loss of enjoyment of life. We will help you carefully calculate the amount of compensation to demand.
Answer: Drivers who are under the influence of drugs other than alcohol are still liable if they cause an accident while intoxicated. People who are under the influence of marijuana, street drugs, or even certain types of prescription drugs may be unable to drive safely, and they are responsible for the harm they cause due to their impaired driving.
Answer: You are likely still eligible to recover compensation. However, these cases can be tricky, and you will need to consult an attorney.
Answer: If a member of your immediate family lost their life in a DUI crash, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In these cases, you may be able to recover compensation for the loss of your family member’s financial, domestic, and emotional support, as well as certain other damages that your family member could have recovered had they survived, including any medical bills they accrued before passing.
Answer: A sober driver is likely to be alert enough to swerve or hit the brakes before impact, reducing the damage. A drunk driver is more likely to crash at full speed. Drunk drivers are also more prone to veering out of their lane and causing head on collisions.
Let Us Represent You
Drunk driving accidents can have long-lasting, far-reaching effects. If you or your loved one was the victim of a drunk driving accident, contact us online or call 281-962-8949 to learn how Mr. Kadlec can help. We serve injured victims in Houston, Sugar Land, Bellaire, The Woodlands, Memorial, Pearland, Harris County, Galveston County, and throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region.
Contact Us For A Free Consultation
Work with an attorney with a proven record of success. To begin crafting your personal injury case, contact our Houston office online or call us at Free Consultation 281-962-8949.
We offer free personal injury consultations, and most cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Under this fee structure, you would not owe us attorney fees unless we recovered compensation on your behalf.
