Dallas, TX Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Aggressive Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Holding Impaired Drivers Accountable in Dallas, Texas

When an impaired driver collides with your vehicle, you may be left with serious injuries and major financial losses. By filing a personal injury claim, you can hold the drunk driver liable for your damages. With the help of a Dallas, Texas drunk driving accident attorney, you can move through the insurance process with confidence.

When you work with the Law Office of J. Gregory Marks, you will receive one-on-one assistance from an attorney who cares about the outcome of your case. We have built a reputation for providing clients with top-notch service, as we have maintained a 10.0 Avvo rating.

How Do You Prove Impairment in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

When a drunk driver causes a wreck, the evidence of their impairment becomes a central part of the injury claim. A police report is often the starting point. If the responding officer administered field sobriety tests, noted signs of intoxication, or arrested the driver at the scene, that information becomes part of the official record and can be used to support your civil claim.

A blood alcohol content reading above the legal limit of 0.08 percent is particularly strong evidence. Of course, impairment can still be established even when the reading falls below that threshold.

A criminal conviction for driving while intoxicated can also work in your favor, but a civil claim does not depend on one. The standard of proof in a personal injury case is lower than in a criminal proceeding. You do not need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver was drunk. You need to show that the preponderance of the evidence supports your claim, meaning it is more likely than not that impairment caused the crash and your injuries.

Economic Damages, Non-Economic Damages, and Punitive Damages in a Texas DWI Accident Claim

Drunk driving accident claims can involve three categories of compensation. Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses caused by the crash, including medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and the costs of future care. Non-economic damages address the personal toll of the injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Texas also allows for punitive damages in certain cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Choosing to drive drunk is the kind of reckless disregard for others that can support a punitive damages award.

Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are tied to the losses the injured person suffered, punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar conduct. Not every case will qualify, but when the facts support it, pursuing punitive damages can significantly increase the total compensation recovered.

Do You Have to File a Lawsuit for a DWI Accident in Dallas?

Many drunk driving accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations without ever going to trial. However, reaching a fair settlement is not always straightforward. An insurance company may dispute the extent of your injuries, argue that other factors contributed to the crash, or make an early offer that falls well short of what the claim is actually worth.

Filing a lawsuit does not necessarily mean the case will go before a jury, but it can create the kind of pressure that moves negotiations forward and signals that you are prepared to see the case through. Texas gives injured people two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, so it is worth speaking with an attorney before that deadline approaches.

Contact a Dallas Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer Today

After a drunk driving accident, you deserve representation from an attorney who will treat your case with the seriousness it warrants. Contact our Dallas, Texas drunk driving accident attorney or call 214-427-4417 to schedule your free consultation with the Law Office of J. Gregory Marks today.