Fort Worth Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Being involved in any type of automobile accident can be a stressful, anxiety-inducing experience. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, you may also be overwhelmed and could even experience anger. You may also have many questions following your Fort Worth drunk driving accident.
You need to ensure that your rights are properly protected following your accident and the best way to do that is to speak with a knowledgeable Fort Worth drunk driving accident lawyer. You may wonder whether your own insurance company will be required to pay for your accident, particularly if the driver left the scene of the accident.
The attorneys at Noteboom—The Law Firm are ready to help you through this difficult time. We will thoroughly investigate your accident—unlike most firms we have an on-staff, full-time, licensed private investigator. This gives you an immediate advantage, as our goal will be to know every single detail of your accident so we can represent you in the very best way possible.
Why Choose Noteboom—The Law Firm—As Your Fort Worth Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?
Noteboom—The Law Firm has been handling cases like yours since 1982. This means that you stand a better chance of a good outcome whether you settle or whether you go to trial. A Fort Worth drunk driving accident lawyer from Noteboom—The Law Firm is not afraid to litigate because we have a long track record of success. Our reputation in the legal industry is stellar which is why we do not resort to television advertising.
Because our belief in our abilities is so strong, we confidently tell potential clients “If you can find a better law firm—hire them.” At Noteboom—The Law Firm, we handle accidents that involve serious or catastrophic injuries. Attorneys Chuck Noteboom and Brian Butcher are both Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. If you want the best outcome possible following your Fort Worth drunk driving accident, contact the highly experienced lawyers at Noteboom—The Law Firm.
About Drunk Driving Accidents
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, in 2017 one person died in every 48 auto accidents involving a drunk driver. Another 300,000 were seriously injured in a drunk driving crash in the same year. In 2020, almost one-third of all fatal car accidents involved a drunk driver. Today, someone is injured in a drunk driving crash every 90 seconds. While it may seem difficult to believe, two out of every three people will be impacted in some way by drunk driving during their lifetime.
Either the person themselves drove drunk and caused an accident, or they or someone they knew was hit by a drunk driver. Ignition interlock devices significantly decrease the number of drivers who attempt to drive drunk. It is also estimated that Mothers Against Drunk Driving have helped cut the number of drunk driving deaths by 50 percent. Drivers are much more likely to drive drunk on the weekends than on weekdays. Drunk driving arrests have been somewhat mitigated by the advent of Uber and Lyft, although drunk driving is still a serious problem.
It is important to recognize that impairment is not tied to the type of drink, but rather to the amount of alcohol drank over time. The “average” person metabolizes alcohol at about one drink per hour. This is a very rough estimate as impairment depends on a number of things including how often the person drinks alcohol, gender, weight, other drugs in the system, over-the-counter drugs, and certain illnesses.
Drunk driving results in accidents because of the way alcohol affects the function of the brain, impairing thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination—which are necessary to safely operate a vehicle. As a result of alcohol impairment, drivers can make mistakes they would not otherwise make. They may drive faster than the speed limit, fail to obey traffic laws, cross the yellow line, forget to use lights or signals, or fail to see pedestrians and bicyclists in crossing areas. In fact, alcohol impairment is one of the leading factors that result in pedestrian deaths.
What Should I Do Following an Accident with a Drunk Driver?
If you’ve been in an accident involving a drunk driver, you should do all the things you would regularly do following an auto accident. This includes calling the police and reporting the accident, seeking immediate medical attention, taking photos at the scene, obtaining witness contact information, and calling an experienced Fort Worth drunk driving accident lawyer.
Law enforcement may administer a field sobriety test to the driver who is presumed to be impaired and may ask the person to take a breathalyzer test to determine his or her BAC. A drunk driver may face not only the “normal” consequences of an auto accident but also punitive damages. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. To ensure you are protected during the process, contact a Fort Worth drunk driving accident lawyer from Noteboom—The Law Firm.
Who Is Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident?
While it might seem as though only the drunk driver would be at fault following your Fort Worth auto accident—and they definitely will bear some or all of the responsibility—there are other potentially liable parties. Texas dram shop laws apply to anyone who is licensed or permitted to serve or sell alcohol. Under the dram shop law, alcohol providers can potentially be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated patron if:
- The individual was clearly intoxicated to the point that he or she presented a danger to others; and
- The individual’s intoxication was the proximate cause of your damages.
In Texas, social hosts may also have some liability for the damages from a drunk driver if the driver is under the age of 18, if they provided alcohol to the minor, and if they are not the minor’s parent or custodian. You could also be deemed partially responsible for the auto accident even though a drunk driver was more responsible. Texas operates under a modified form of comparative negligence, meaning if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages could be reduced.
As an example, suppose a drunk driver runs a stop sign, t-boning your vehicle and causing you significant injury. If it was found that you were exceeding the speed limit at the time, you could potentially be assigned 5 percent of the liability for the accident. So, if you were awarded $200,000 for your injuries, that amount would be reduced by 5 percent, or $10,000. Having an experienced Fort Worth drunk driving accident lawyer from Noteboom is essential after an accident with a drunk driver so that you receive the damages you are entitled to receive.
How a Fort Worth Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer from Noteboom—The Law Firm Can Help
At Noteboom—The Law Firm, we bring a level of knowledge and experience rarely seen to each and every case handled by our firm. Our attorneys regularly take matters to trial and have the necessary resources to do so. Our reputation in the state of Texas is exemplary—and our reputation benefits you. If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, do not wait—contact Noteboom—The Law Firm today.