Many of you will remember these stunning words, spoken by drunk driver Matthew Cordle, in his YouTube confession gone viral: “I’m begging you do not drink and drive… It’s too late [for me], but you can still be saved; your victims can still be saved.”
Despite receiving more than 200,000 views online, messages like Cordle’s have done little to stop the onslaught of alcohol-related car accidents in Texas.
How many people are killed in Texas because of drinking and driving?
According to the latest statistics from MADD, Austin isn’t the only noteworthy capital in Texas. The activist group has dubbed Harris County in Houston the “drunk driving capital of Texas.” Last year alone, there were more than 2,000 drunk driving accidents in the county, leading to 175 deaths.
All told, there are almost 10,000 impaired driving fatalities a year, more than 1,200 of them occur in Texas; the capital city is not exempt, as we all saw earlier this year when impaired driver, Rashad Owens, drove through a barricade at the SXSW music festival, injuring 19 people and killing 4.
Similarly to Cordel, who is facing charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, Owens now faces 4 counts of capital murder and at least 19 counts of aggravated vehicular assault. Under Texas law, that’s not the only recompense he could be held accountable for.
Should I pursue criminal or civil action in a drunk driving case?
Texas law does not limit the sphere of legal responsibility to purely criminal charges. Victims and their families may also pursue civil action against a drunk driver without impeding the criminal case already filed. In fact, a criminal case can help provide the necessary grounds for a civil one.
Individuals who drink and drive not only put their own lives at risk, but also the lives of others. Once they get behind the wheel by their own volition and operate it in an impaired state, their actions are considered negligent under the law.
Those actions are punishable with possible jail time, as well as damages that protect the rights of any victims the driver may hit, injure, or kill while impaired. Meaning; if you are hit by a drunk driver, you have the right to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Non-economic and punitive damages
Any provable expenses or damage you incurred as a result of the accident, emotional and psychological included.
What should I do if I am hit by a drunk driver?
The important thing for victims to understand is what to do immediately following the accident. If you’re able to, get as much information on-scene as you can. Do not agree to or sign anything.
Go directly from the accident to the doctor or hospital for medical care. Once you have been seen by a physician, contact a personal injury lawyer. Share the information you have with that lawyer and decide what your next steps will be based on the merits of your case.
If the victim in the accident is unable to take these steps, their families and loved ones must act on their behalf. Once representation is secured, the lawyer can request copies of the accident report as well as any relevant medical records to build grounds for a case.
Don’t let a drunk driver rob you of more than they have already. The Amarillo personal injury lawyers at Stockard, Johnston, Brown, Netardus & Doyle, P.C. have experience helping victims and their families get the compensation they deserve. Contact our experienced team of attorneys today.