Drunk driving is against the law in Texas and throughout the country for good reason. Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol increases the risk of a car accident that can cause serious injuries. A recent crash in Houston is a sad reminder that these injuries are sometimes fatal.
In August 2021 around 11 p.m., a woman driving a Toyota 4-Runner broke down on the North Freeway just before the Beltway. She got out of the car. A man driving a Chevy pickup truck then struck the woman, killing her.
Investigators said they believed the truck was speeding on I-45 and that the driver did not apply the brakes.
The truck caught fire in the collision. Some Good Samaritans saw what was happening, pulled over, and pulled the driver out of the pickup truck.
Alcohol found to be a factor
The 20-year-old driver was taken to the hospital. Police said they believed the man was intoxicated and were investigating to find out where he obtained alcohol.
“If he was drinking at an establishment, we're going to go, we're going to find who served him," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Sean Teare. "We're going to take that person into custody. We're going to prosecute them. If he bought it at a convenience store, we're going to try to find them, and take that teller into custody as well."
Teare said that the county had accepted a charge of intoxicated manslaughter against the driver.
People still drive drunk, despite the laws. Alcohol impacts their judgment and concentration and slows their reaction time. The predictable result is an accident that leaves people hurt or killed. Because these drivers break the law, holding them accountable for the damage they cause seems like it should be straightforward. But that is often not the case.
Drunk drivers may fight the criminal charges against them and deny doing anything wrong. Insurance companies may dispute a claim for compensation by the victim or the victim's family because they are always looking for ways to pay as little as possible. They may question the extent of injuries someone suffered in an accident or argue that another driver was partially responsible for what happened.
Drunk drivers often have lawyers. The insurance company definitely has lawyers. If you were injured in a crash involving a drunk driver, you should have legal representation, too.
Crash victims have legal rights
How can a lawyer help you? An experienced car accident attorney will have the resources to investigate your crash to get the facts that show a drunk driver was responsible for the collision. This involves gathering evidence, reviewing accident reports and medical records, and interviewing witnesses. If needed, accident reconstruction experts can be consulted.
An attorney will also know how to fight back against insurance company attempts to minimize compensation. Many times, a car accident lawyer can build a strong case and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs – or fight for you in court.
The Law Offices of Gene S. Hagood represents people hurt in drunk driving accidents, as well as the families of loved ones who were killed in a crash with a drunk driver. We guide you through the legal process every step of the way and will fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in Houston, Galveston, or anywhere in Texas, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.