Can I Sue Someone Who Hit Me While Drunk?

can i sue a drunk driver that hit me - Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk drivers cause injuries and deaths every night in the Houston area.

Some folks believe that if they are injured in a drunk driving accident caused by a drunk driver that they cannot bring a lawsuit for their damages.

 

This is not true!

Even if the drunk driver is arrested and is prosecuted for the crime, you are still entitled to bring a civil lawsuit claim for injuries and expenses.

As a specialist in Car Accident LawPersonal Injury Trial lawyer Fleming Law can answer any questions regarding suing a drunk driver.

Contact Fleming Law now for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Damages Can we Sue the Drunk Driver for?

In Texas the damages in an accident case involving a drunk driver include those for any personal injury case including:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and
  • Other expenses.

In addition, because drunk driving is such a problem and causing a drunk driving accident injury amounts to intoxication assault, the law in Texas also allows a victim to seek punitive damages against the drunk – these are damages over and above the actual damages used to punish the perpetrator.

What if the Drunk Driver left Before Police Arrived at the Accident Scene?

This is not uncommon. We have had many clients who were injured by a drunk driver in an accident who left the crash scene before Houston police arrived. Some actually flee the scene while others exchange information and then leave before police arrive. The fact that the drunk was not arrested does not mean that the injured party cannot file a drunk driving accident lawsuit and prove that they were, in fact, drunk. Proving that the other driver was intoxicated can be done through eyewitness testimony regarding the smell of alcohol, actions of the drunk, admissions of the drunk and other evidence. Taking a video of the drunk after the accident can be powerful evidence to show that they were intoxicated. Fleeing the scene itself can be seen as evidence of guilt.

What if the Drunk Driver is Arrested but Later Found Not Guilty?

People that are acquitted (found not guilty) of crimes are often still subject to liability in a civil court. A famous example is that of OJ Simpson who was found not guilty of killing his wife and friend in the criminal court but was later found Arrested Drunk Driver liable for killing them in a civil court and ordered to pay many millions of dollars. It is the same in a drunk driving or DWI case – a drunk driver causing an accident in Houston or other city can be arrested and later found not guilty in criminal court but still be sued and found liable in a civil court. This is because there are different standards in finding guilt/liability in criminal and civil cases. Of course, in criminal cases, a defendant must be found guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt” while in civil cases, a defendant only needs to be found liable by a “preponderance of the evidence” which means simply, more likely than not. When a drunk driver is sued for damages, even though they committed a crime, it is a civil lawsuit and the preponderance of the evidence standard applies. So, even if the drunk driver gets a good criminal defense lawyer and beats the charges, you can still sue them for damages in court. Civil lawsuits are brought in the district courts – in Harris County they are in Houston.

We were hurt by a drunk driver that was arrested for DWI. What can be done?

Fleming Law has been handling drunk driver accident cases in Houston for over 28 years. Contact us today for a free consultation.

nicholas fleming

Nicholas P. Fleming focuses his practice in the area of civil litigation. As a skilled personal injury attorney, he handles a broad range of cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, workplace accidents, and wrongful death. He is licensed to practice by the State Bar of Texas and is a graduate of the South Texas College of Law, earning his J.D. in 2017. Nicholas prides himself on providing personalized service to his clients, who are often facing extremely stressful situations.