Key Things Lawyers From Suits & Boots Investigate in a Drunk Driving Accident Case
Houston is one of the cities in Texas with the highest drunk driving incidents. In 2023, driving under the influence led to 2,091 crashes in Houston. This led to 88 fatalities and over 450 injuries.
When you are hurt in a crash with a drunk driver, the road to justice and recovery can be very overwhelming. That is where Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers step in. The firm, which is based in Houston, has a dedicated team of attorneys who have made it their mission to get justice for people injured because of someone else’s negligence.
Below are some of the key things a drunk driving accident lawyer in Houston from Suits & Boots will investigate to build a strong case on your behalf.
Understanding the Circumstances of the Crash
Suits & Boots attorneys will examine the scene of the accident. This is necessary to get additional details like whether the driver was speeding when driving, if they ran a red light, or if there were any eyewitnesses.
The team at Suits & Boots reviews police reports, photographs, and any available footage to get a full picture of what happened. Additionally, this helps to create a timeline of events and strengthen the narrative that will be used to get compensation.
Proving Intoxication
In Houston and Texas, the legal limit for a person who is 21 years or older is 0.08. Anyone with a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is considered intoxicated while driving. For people under 21 years, driving with any amount of alcohol in their system is considered illegal.
Suits & Boots attorneys will investigate whether the driver was arrested at the scene, what their BAC levels were, and if they failed any sobriety tests. Instead of accepting any report, they dig deep into it. If the driver was charged with a DWI charge, Suits & Boots will use this in your claim.
Proving Liability
Even when intoxication is clear, Suits & Boots will still investigate the issue further by investigating other factors that could have led to the accident. For example, if the driver was a repeat offender, it can add more weight to your claim.
The attorneys also investigate whether any percentage of blame can be directed to you. Most states use comparative negligence rules. This means your percentage of blame can affect the amount of compensation you get. Texas follows comparative negligence.
Therefore, you can only get compensation if you are found to be 51% or less at fault. Suits & Boots will work hard to keep most of the responsibility on the driver.
Examine Third-Party Responsibility
Because of Dram Shop laws, not every drunk driving responsibility ends with the driver. In Texas, businesses like bars, social hosts, or any other establishment serving alcohol to a person who is obviously intoxicated can be held responsible.
Suits & Boots knows this area of law. They will look at receipts, speak with witnesses, and review video footage to determine if another party played a role in enabling drunk driving.
Conclusion
Additionally, the attorneys at Suits & Boots will evaluate the extent of your injuries. In case of wrongful liability, they will explore all options to get maximum compensation. Suits & Boots is ready to help and is exactly what you need to move forward with your case.
