Houston drunk driving accidents are a serious threat to everyone on the road. Every year, countless Texans suffer injuries or lose their lives because a driver chose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. According to recent data, around 25% of Texas car crash fatalities in 2023 involved drunk drivers, which amounted to over a thousand lost lives. Harris County, which includes Houston, consistently ranks among the highest in the state for these incidents.
When these tragedies occur, victims often face costly medical bills, intense pain, or devastating family losses. If you or someone you love was harmed by an impaired motorist, Houston drunk driving accident attorney Stephen Goldenzweig isprepared to advocate for you.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Drunk Driving Accident in Houston?
Accidents involving drunk drivers can feel overwhelming. It is important to act quickly and protect both your health and your potential legal claim. First, call 911 to summon medical help and law enforcement. A police report can note signs of intoxication, help identify witnesses, and document any tickets or criminal charges against the at-fault driver.
Next, seek medical evaluation promptly, even if you feel okay. Some injuries remain hidden until hours or days after a collision. By seeing a doctor, you create a clear medical record that shows how the crash affected you. Collect any evidence you can at the scene: photos of damage, license plate details, and statements from witnesses. Finally, consider contacting the Houston drunk driving accident attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group to learn about preserving your rights and discussing insurance matters before adjusters pressure you to settle.
Can I Sue the Drunk Driver for My Injuries in Texas?
Yes. Texas law allows you to file a civil personal injury claim if you were harmed by a drunk or drugged driver. That person may simultaneously face criminal DWI charges, but criminal proceedings do not pay your medical bills or cover your lost wages. An independent civil lawsuit focuses on compensating you and holding the impaired driver financially accountable for their actions.
A Houston drunk driving accident attorney—such as Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig—can explain this process and gather compelling evidence to show fault. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results, police arrest records, and eyewitness accounts of erratic driving all help prove liability. It is crucial to remember the two-year statute of limitations in Texas for filing personal injury claims. Waiting too long might forfeit your right to seek compensation.
How Can a Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help Me Recover Compensation?
A knowledgeable lawyer guides you through every stage of a complex personal injury claim. Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig at Goldenzweig will investigate the crash by collecting police reports, analyzing BAC levels, and consulting accident reconstruction experts. This thorough approach strengthens your case if the driver denies responsibility or tries to minimize your injuries.
Insurance adjusters typically aim to reduce settlements. They might question your medical treatment, blame you for some portion of the crash, or insist on a quick, low offer. The Houston DWI accident attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group understand these tactics and can negotiate assertively. We also handle all correspondence, so you don’t inadvertently say something that harms your claim. Our team works on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we secure a recovery on your behalf.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident Case?
Drunk drivers usually bear primary responsibility for the harm they cause. However, Texas law recognizes that other parties may share liability in certain situations. The Bellaire-based drunk driving accident lawyers at Goldenzweig Law Group are ready to identify all possible defendants in your claim, because broadening the scope of liability can increase your chances of full and fair compensation.
Is the Drunk Driver Always at Fault Under Texas Law?
Drinking and driving is considered reckless and is generally treated as negligence per se. This means a driver’s violation of the law (driving with a BAC above 0.08%) often serves as strong evidence of their liability. That said, insurers sometimes argue that the victim contributed to the crash or that other factors played a role. Having Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig gather evidence of intoxication, such as field sobriety test results or breathalyzer records, strengthens your position against these defenses.
Can a Bar or Restaurant Be Liable for Overserving?
Yes. Texas Dram Shop law allows victims to hold alcohol-serving establishments accountable if they provided drinks to someone who was obviously intoxicated. That bar, restaurant, or club may share fault when the impaired patron then injures others on the road. Pursuing a Dram Shop claim requires proving the establishment’s staff knew—or should have known—the individual was intoxicated. If successful, this third-party liability can provide an additional source of compensation, especially if the drunk driver has few personal assets or minimal insurance coverage.
What If a Drunk Driver Was Drinking at a Work Event?
Some collisions happen when an employee becomes intoxicated at a company-sponsored gathering or while performing job duties. Employers can sometimes be held liable if they served alcohol to an already impaired worker, or if the crash occurred within the “course and scope” of employment. These situations can be complicated. A thorough investigation by Houston drunk driving accident attorney Stephen Goldenzweig is key to determining if employer negligence contributed to the wreck.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in Houston?
Victims of impaired drivers can often seek various types of compensation in civil court. Each category reflects different harms you experienced, and obtaining them helps you rebuild your life.
- Economic Damages: This includes medical expenses, hospital bills, ongoing rehabilitation costs, and lost income if your injuries prevent you from working. Serious collisions often require months of therapy or multiple surgeries, creating substantial financial strain. Economic damages also cover property damage and other verifiable, out-of-pocket losses.
- Non-Economic Damages: These address intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in daily activities, and mental anguish. Drunk driving crashes can cause severe trauma, especially if the collision results in permanent disability or disfigurement.
- Punitive Damages: Texas law permits punitive damages in cases of “gross negligence” or clearly reckless conduct, such as driving with extreme intoxication. Punitive damages aim to punish the offender and discourage similar behavior in the future. They are not automatic in every drunk driving accident, but they may be available if the offender’s behavior shows a blatant disregard for safety.
Are Drunk Driving Accidents in Houston Often Fatal? What If I Lost a Loved One?
These crashes can be especially deadly. Nationally, around 37 people die every day from drunk driving accidents, and Houston leads much of Texas in alcohol-related fatalities. If you lost a family member, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. This claim can provide compensation for funeral costs, the loss of companionship, and your loved one’s future financial contributions.
Wrongful death suits also allow families to seek some measure of justice by holding the at-fault driver accountable. Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig knows that no legal victory can heal your grief. However, a successful claim can at least reduce the financial burdens that arise from a sudden tragedy.
How Do Criminal DUI Charges Impact My Injury Claim?
A drunk driver’s criminal charges or conviction can strengthen your personal injury case. Evidence used in the criminal proceeding—like breath test results—helps establish the other driver’s negligence. Yet the civil claim for damages is handled separately. Even if the driver is never convicted, or if charges are dropped, you can still pursue compensation by showing they operated a vehicle while impaired.
Sometimes, the outcome of a criminal trial can be used as evidence in civil court. A guilty plea, for instance, is often strong support for your position that the driver was at fault. At the same time, waiting for the criminal process to conclude is not always necessary. The Houston drunk driving accident attorneys at Goldenzweig can begin building your civil case as soon as you are ready.
What If the Drunk Driver Has No Insurance or Flees the Scene?
Many people worry that an impaired driver’s lack of insurance or a hit-and-run situation will leave them without recourse. There are still potential solutions. You may be able to file a claim under your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy. This coverage often applies when a negligent driver cannot be identified or has insufficient limits. If an establishment overserved the driver, a Dram Shop claim might help cover damages.
Additionally, Texas offers a Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund that sometimes helps victims of serious crimes meet basic expenses. Every case is unique, so consult Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig to explore which options might be available. Our team will also work with law enforcement to identify hit-and-run offenders and pursue any assets they may have.
Why Choose Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig for Your Drunk Driving Accident Case?
Houston drunk driving accident lawyer Stephen Goldenzweig has devoted his career to advocating for injured Texans and their families. He understands that these collisions involve more than physical harm—they often spark confusion, stress, and financial hardship. With an office at 6575 West Loop South, Suite 420, Bellaire, TX 77401, his team is ready to help clients throughout the Houston area and beyond.
Proven Results for DUI Accident Victims
Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig has secured meaningful outcomes for individuals impacted by intoxicated drivers. Through methodical investigation and strong negotiation, he helps clients recover medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for trauma. While every claim is unique, his experience underscores that thorough legal preparation often leads to fair settlements or successful verdicts.
Personalized, Compassionate Representation
Compassion is at the heart of how the Houston drunk driving accident attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group serve clients. We know that healing from injuries can be painful and time-consuming, so we stay in close contact and handle the legal details. This allows you to focus on recovery without constantly worrying about negotiations or deadlines. We believe in treating everyone with dignity and giving every case the attention it deserves.
Local Houston Knowledge
Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig calls Houston home. He is familiar with local police procedures, common collision sites like I-10 or the 610 Loop, and the Harris County courts. This local insight informs our legal strategy, whether we are obtaining official crash reports, investigating a suspected overservice at a local bar, or preparing to file suit in a Harris County courtroom. We also understand that quick action is vital, because evidence can vanish or witness memories fade soon after a crash.
FAQs
Do I need a lawyer if the other driver was charged with DWI?
Yes. Criminal charges do not automatically provide compensation for your medical bills, missed work, or pain. A personal injury lawyer will develop a civil case that ensures the drunk driver (and potentially other responsible parties) is held financially accountable.
How long will it take to resolve my drunk driving injury case?
It depends on how complex the case is and whether the at-fault party’s insurance contests fault or damages. Many claims settle within months, but some can take a year or more—especially if they require detailed investigations or go to trial. We pursue a fair result as efficiently as possible.
Can I get punitive damages if I was hit by a very intoxicated driver?
Possibly. Punitive damages aim to punish egregious or reckless behavior and deter similar conduct. Courts sometimes award these damages in drunk driving cases if the driver’s intoxication was particularly extreme, but they are not guaranteed.
What if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car?
You still have the right to pursue compensation, even if you knew the driver. Their auto insurance is meant to compensate victims, including passengers, for injuries. If a bar or host also played a role (for example, overserving an obviously intoxicated driver), you might have an additional claim.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Justice can be served when someone injured by an intoxicated motorist stands up for their rights. If you or a loved one are seeking answers after a drunk driving crash, the Houston DUI attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group encourage you to reach out. We offer a free consultation to discuss your situation, and we charge no fees unless we win compensation for you.
Call (713) 561-5003 today to speak with Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig about your Houston drunk driving accident. You can also visit our office at 6575 West Loop South, Suite 420, Bellaire, TX 77401. Prompt legal representation preserves critical evidence, helps gather witness statements, and gives you the best chance at a fair resolution. We are honored to guide you through this challenging time and hold drunk drivers—and any other liable parties—fully accountable for the harm they cause.