Being injured by a drunk driver is infuriating precisely because it is entirely preventable. In Texas, victims of drunk driving accidents have powerful legal options — and the liability can extend well beyond the driver. Our Houston drunk driving accident attorneys pursue every avenue of compensation for victims in the Houston and Sugar Land areas.
Your Rights After an Accident With a DWI Driver
You have the right to seek full compensation for all your losses. Because drunk driving constitutes gross negligence under Texas law, you may also be eligible for punitive (exemplary) damages — an additional award designed to punish the defendant. To understand the full scope of drunk driving crashes in our area, review the DWI accident statistics for the Houston area. The numbers are sobering — and they underscore why aggressive legal representation matters.
Texas Dram Shop Law: Bars and Restaurants Can Be Liable Too
One of the most powerful and underused legal tools for drunk driving victims is the Texas Dram Shop Act. Under this law, an alcohol provider — a bar, restaurant, nightclub, or liquor store — can be held civilly liable for damages caused by an intoxicated patron if:
- The establishment served alcohol to a person who was obviously intoxicated at the time, AND
- That intoxication was a proximate cause of the accident and resulting injuries
Texas also has Social Host Liability provisions, which can hold a private individual liable if they provided alcohol to a minor who then caused a crash.
Why Dram Shop Claims Matter So Much
The drunk driver who caused your accident may carry minimal insurance — or none at all. A Dram Shop claim opens a separate, often far more substantial source of compensation from a commercial establishment with significant insurance coverage.
When Drunk Driving Causes a Fatality
If a loved one was killed in a fatal drunk driving crash, our team handles both the wrongful death claim and any applicable Dram Shop action simultaneously, maximizing every source of compensation available to your family.
Key Evidence in a Dram Shop Case
- BAC records and the driver’s arrest report
- Surveillance footage from the bar showing the driver’s condition
- Receipts and credit card records showing consumption
- Witness accounts from servers, bartenders, or other patrons
Act Quickly — Evidence Disappears Fast
Surveillance footage is typically overwritten within days. Call Maida Law Firm at 713-785-9484 as soon as possible — free case evaluation, no fee unless we win.