Impaired Driving: Serious Risks and Consequences
Impaired driving endangers both the driver and others on the road. This behavior leads to severe outcomes, including injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. This post explains the dangers of impaired driving and how victims can seek compensation if hurt by an impaired driver.
What is Impaired Driving in Texas?
In Texas, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. But even lower levels of alcohol can impact driving and increase crash risks.
The consequences of impaired driving are wide-ranging. Impaired drivers face criminal charges, fines, license suspension, and possibly jail. But the harm doesn’t stop with them—each year, many innocent people are injured or killed by impaired drivers, facing physical pain, emotional distress, lost wages, and high medical bills.
The Consequences of Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is dangerous and illegal. A driver convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) may face fines, license suspension, and jail time. Beyond these legal penalties, impaired driving can cause serious accidents, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
Victims of impaired driving often suffer injuries like whiplash, broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal cord damage. These injuries bring medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other financial burdens.
Personal Injury Claims and Impaired Driving
If an impaired driver injured you, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. This civil claim is separate from any criminal charges against the impaired driver and aims to cover losses caused by the accident.
In a personal injury claim, you need to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries. In impaired driving cases, proving negligence is often straightforward since driving under the influence is inherently negligent.
Collecting Evidence
To strengthen your claim, gather evidence like police reports, medical records, accident photos, witness statements, and the impaired driver’s test results. This evidence shows the driver’s impairment and the impact of the accident on your life.
Compensation for Damages
A successful personal injury claim may award you compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible losses like medical bills, property repairs, and lost wages. Non-economic damages address intangible losses, such as pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
In some cases, you may also receive punitive damages, which punish the impaired driver and discourage similar behavior.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Handling a personal injury claim can be complex, especially while you recover. A personal injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja can guide you, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve. They can help collect evidence, negotiate with insurers, and represent you in court if needed.
Get Help After an Impaired Driving Accident
Impaired driving accidents can change lives, but victims have legal options to seek compensation. If an impaired driver has injured you, consider consulting a personal injury lawyer. You don’t have to face this challenging time alone. Contact The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja to learn how we can assist you.