Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Seguin

Drunk driving accidents have the potential to cause families even more emotional trauma than many other wrecks. Responsible drivers should refuse to get behind the wheel if they are impaired, choose a designated driver before they go out, or plan on using rideshare services. People know that driving drunk dramatically increases the risk of an accident and that if they are choosing to drink and drive, they are taking that risk.

One of the things that can make it even more emotionally difficult for the family is the fact that many times, the drunk driver walks away without any injuries. Alcohol is a sedative, which means intoxicated people’s bodies are relaxed. They do not tense up before an accident, which can reduce the risk of injuries. If you or a loved one are a victim, you may feel like you have been wholly denied justice. A skilled attorney can help you recover compensation — and often a sense of justice — after drunk driving car accidents in Seguin.

State Drinking and Driving Laws

Across the continental United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is .08. Texas Transportation Code § 49.04 uses that as a floor for its drunk driving laws. Anyone with a .08 or higher BAC is guilty of driving while intoxicated. If they have a BAC of .15 or higher, it is a Class A misdemeanor. Injuring or killing someone while drunk driving are both felony offenses.

Some people have a lower BAC limit. In Texas, people with a CDL are driving while intoxicated if their BAC is .04 or above. Unlike some states, the law applies whether someone is driving a commercial vehicle or their personal vehicle. For drivers under the age of 21, the law is even more rigid. Since it is illegal for people under 21 to drink, having any alcohol in their system can lead to drunk driving charges.

While the legal limit may be .08 BAC, even a single drink can impair the ability to drive. At a .06 BAC, a driver’s risk of an accident is approximately double that of a sober person. Even if someone is not committing a drunk driving criminal offense, their BAC may help establish negligence after a Seguin car accident.

Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can range from minor fender benders to devastating accidents that lead to severe injuries or even death. They are often more extreme than accidents with sober drivers because drunk drivers have impaired judgment. They may go the wrong way on the road, run stop signs or lights, speed into vehicles, rear-end someone from following too closely, veer out of their lane, and even veer off the road.

Therefore, the potential injuries from drunk driving accidents range from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering injuries. Some of the more severe injuries possible include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, paralysis, amputation, crush injuries, internal organ damage, broken bones, and more.

In addition to the physical injuries, people may also experience emotional injuries like PTSD, trauma, depression, anxiety, loss of companionship, and more. While these injuries may not be as obvious, they may have a more significant impact on a person than physical injuries. A Seguin lawyer can recover compensation for these non-economic injuries in a drunk driving claim.

Learn More About Seguin Drunk Driving Car Wrecks

It is unfair that someone else’s foolish decision can have a dramatic impact on your quality of life. In fact, struggling with that unfairness is sometimes one of the most challenging things for a person to deal with in the aftermath of a drunk-driving car accident. You may not see a way to help yourself or your loved one overcome those feelings.

One of the best things about pursuing a claim based on drunk driving car accidents in Seguin is that it can be a healing process. While criminal law often gives drunk drivers little more than a slap on the wrist, the civil justice system makes them take responsibility for their actions. Schedule a consultation with an attorney to learn more.