Despite harsher laws and awareness campaigns, impaired driving continues to be a problem in Texas and throughout the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day, 29 people die in drunk driving crashes in the United States. The CDC also reports that the percentage of adults who reported driving after drinking too much was higher in Texas than nationally. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2018, there were 4,986 Texas drunk driving accidents, and 1,228 crashes caused in part by drivers under the influence of drugs.
Under Texas law, a person can be arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Yet, a person can still be driving while intoxicated even under that BAC if the person’s driving is impaired, whether from alcohol or other drugs. The criminal penalties can be up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, among other penalties. In addition, commercial drivers can be charged with a .04% BAC, and those under 21 can be charged for any amount of alcohol.
Individuals who are injured in a drunk driving crash can bring a legal claim against a drunk driver to recover financial compensation. Evidence that a driver was driving while intoxicated, including being arrested for DWI, may be used in a civil claim against the driver. However, an accident victim still must prove that the defendant’s conduct was the legal and factual cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. A drunk driver may still try to blame the plaintiff for the crash, or argue that some or all of the plaintiff’s injuries were not a result of the crash.
30-Year-Old El Paso Father, Corrections Officer and Volunteer Coach Dies in Drunk Driving Crash
An El Paso father died in a recent car crash that reportedly was caused by a drunk driver. Two cars crashed, resulting in the death of one of the drivers. According to a recent news report, law enforcement said that the man was t-boned by another driver who ran a red light and was suspected of driving drunk. The accident victim was 30 years old and a resident of El Paso who worked as a corrections officer. He also volunteered as a coach for a youth football league. He was married and had three children, who were 13, 12, and 7 years old. The alleged drunk driver was 25 years old and also a resident of El Paso. He was charged with intoxication manslaughter and was hospitalized for his injuries from the crash.
Contact a Texas DWI Lawyer
If you have been injured in a Texas drunk driving accident, contact a personal injury lawyer. The law office of Carabin Shaw was founded over 25 years ago to fight for the rights of accident victims. Carabin Shaw is dedicated to advocating exclusively for the rights of individuals injured or killed in accidents. We aggressively represent the legal interests of accident victims and empower them to move forward toward a better future. Contact us by calling 800-862-1260 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.