Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

The Texas Department of Public Safety has established a special hotline for reporting a drunk driver. Call 1 (800) 525-5555 to report a suspected drunk driver or if you are stranded on the side of the road. In case of an auto accident, call 911 immediately for assistance. 

Your call can be anonymous and may save a life. If you suspect a drunk driver- report it!

Read more: How to Report a Drunk Driver in Houston

There are no limits on the amount of actual damages you can seek for personal injury or wrongful death in Texas.

Car accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, physical impairment, and future medical care resulting from the accident. 

Punitive damages are punishment damages that are limited by law in Texas. Contact Baumgartner Law Firm for a consultation about your rights and options after a DUI injury accident. Call us today at (281) 587-1111.

If the person who hit you is arrested for DWI, the odds of your case requiring a trial drop substantially.  Insurance companies know how to minimize payouts in personal injury claims, so having a lawyer is essential. Harris County juries have little patience for drunk drivers. An arrest for DWI or intoxicated manslaughter often delays a civil case. The evidence gathered by the police can help enhance your damages when the criminal case is over.

While a lawsuit may be required to get the adjuster’s attention, most insurance companies understand the risks to them and their insured if a jury decides the case. Call Baumgartner Law Firm to maximize your injury accident compensation. (281) 587-1111.

Courts may award punitive damages in personal injury cases to punish wrongdoers. These damages are fitting for lawsuits against drunk drivers. Only reckless acts like drunk driving warrant punitive damages. Our law firm has won punitive damages in many cases against drunk drivers.

No. Insurance adjusters often contact victims within 24-48 hours, offering quick settlements—sometimes before you even know the full extent of your injuries. These initial offers are typically 10-20% of what your case is actually worth. Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot reopen your claim even if you discover serious injuries later. Always consult a drunk driving accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer.

Car accident cases involving a drunk driver are worth more than a typical car accident not involving alcohol. How much your case is worth depends upon how much insurance coverage is available, how bad your injuries are, and who you hire to represent you in the case. For minor injuries and little medical bills, the settlement may be in the tens of thousands. For a serious injury with a lot of insurance, your case could be in the millions.

After a car accident in Texas, you are legally required to stop at the scene of the accident. We recommend you always report the accident to the police. We also recommend that you document the scene by using your phone to take pictures and video of the damage and the crash site. You should obtain contact information from any witness. Call an experienced car accident lawyer near you.

Texas has a statute of limitations that requires you to file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident to preserve your rights. However, do not wait if a drunk driver has injured you; act quickly and contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as you can.

Yes, there are situations where, for one reason or another, a drinking driver is not arrested or not charged by the police. While this does not affect your right to sue, it can make proving intoxication more difficult.

Yes. Even if you were riding with the drunk driver, you can still recover compensation. However, the defense may argue you share some fault if you knew the driver was intoxicated before getting in the vehicle. Texas law allows you to recover damages even if you're partially at fault, but your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. We've successfully recovered huge settlements for passengers injured by drunk drivers they were riding with.

Under Texas Penal Code § 49.04, a driver is considered legally intoxicated at these levels of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC):

• 08% BAC for adults 21+
• 04% BAC for commercial drivers
• Any detectable amount for drivers under 21

Drivers can be charged with DWI charges if they exceed these limits. Criminal penalties vary by the charge and can be very severe for those who seriously injure or kill. The prison sentence for intoxicated manslaughter can be up to 20 years.

The two-year statute of limitations for civil claims runs from the accident date, not from when criminal charges are resolved. Don't wait to consult an attorney.