Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Every day, 27 people in the U.S. die because of a drunk driving crash.^* Every year, drunk drivers cause thousands of accidents in Texas. The end result is hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Every time someone stumbles behind the wheel in a haze of alcohol, they put other people in danger. Those who suffer the effects of DUI crashes often find that recovery is long and hard. The greatest tragedy is that such devastation is preventable.

If you’re one of the many victims of drunk driving; if you have suffered injury or the loss of a loved one due to the criminal actions of an intoxicated driver, then it’s time to contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. to find a Houston drunk driving car accident lawyer who will fight for your legal rights.

In 2015, there were 861 fatal DUI crashes in Texas. A total of 960 people died.

Finding Justice and Getting Compensation

Any time a DUI crash occurs, the injured party is left to deal with the scars. There are emotional scars—post-traumatic stress disorder and mental trauma. There are physical scars—pain and injury. There are financial scars—medical bills, car repair costs, loss of wages, and other expenses.

In order for justice to be served, the damages must be repaired. That’s why the victim of a DUI accident always has the right to sue for damages. The offender may spend time in jail, but justice requires more than meting out punishment; it means offering compensation.

The only way to obtain such restitution is to hire a drunk driving car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can negotiate with insurance companies, file a lawsuit, and represent your case in court. Only by working with a professional can anyone hope to meet the legal and financial challenges that result from a drunk driving accident.

In 2015, DUI crashes in Texas led to 2,187 incapacitating injuries.

Drinking, Driving, and the Law

The law is clear. Drunk driving is a criminal offense. There is no excuse for stepping behind the wheel while intoxicated. In Texas, as in most other states, a person is considered to be above the legal driving limit the moment they reach a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher.

How many drinks are too many? There is no straightforward answer to that question. It depends on the circumstances. Alcohol effects different people in different ways, and a lot depends on how quickly the drinks are consumed. The average person can metabolize one drink per hour. Acting responsibly means always erring on the side of caution.

A driver who is above the legal limit when they get involved in an accident is clearly at fault. If caught, they face both prison time and civil penalties. On the other side, the sober party can file a lawsuit and recover damages for any physical, emotional, and financial injuries they might have sustained.

Texas DUI accidents caused 5,664 people to suffer non-incapacitating injuries in 2015 and 6,149 suffered possible injuries.

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Houston

If you’ve incurred short-term medical bills; if you require long-term treatment or physical therapy; if your car is totaled; if you are forced to take a leave of absence from work; if you’ve lost a loved one; if the accident has undermined your quality of life, then you can use the legal system to seek redress.

In order to do so, you must first meet up with an experienced attorney who can accompany you through the ordeal. If you live in or near Houston, TX, Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. can help you obtain a fair settlement or a just verdict. While any attorney can take up your case, only an experienced legal team can guide you to victory. If you want to increase your odds of a favorable outcome, you need an attorney with a track record of success.

Call us at (713) 574-5089 to take advantage of our extensive experience by receiving a free consultation.

*Statistics taken from the Texas Department of Transportation, “Total and DUI (Alcohol) Fatal and Injury Crashes Comparison.” http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2015/37.pdf and Mothers Against Drunk Driving http://www.madd.org/statistics/