Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Round Rock, Texas

ROUND ROCK DRUNK DRIVING STATISTICS

With its proximity to Austin and a major interstate in I-35 cutting through, residents of Round Rock may be at a higher risk for DUI accidents.  This is unfortunately evident in for the state of Texas and the city of Round Rock.

• In 2019, in Williamson county alone, seven people died as the result of a car accident that involved alcohol.
• Of the fatalities stemming from an alcohol-related crash, the most at-risk group is those aged 21 to 25. In 2019, this age group alone accounted for 25% of the DUI-related fatalities in Texas.
• The most dangerous days of the week when it comes to the risk of being involved in a DUI car accident are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the most dangerous time of the day being the late evening to early morning hours.

Read More: Round Rock Car Accident Lawyers

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DUI ACCIDENT

Getting into an accident with a driver who is under the influence can be a devastating experience. However, as soon as the accident happens, it is important to begin taking the proper steps moving forward, as this may be the best way to seek maximum compensation for your injuries.

1. Move Out of the Road

If it is possible, the first thing to do after an accident is to move your vehicle out of the road to prevent any further damage and injuries.  This is especially critical given the fact that most DUI accidents happen at night, and other drivers who are approaching the scene might have limited visibility and a limited amount of time within which to react and avoid the cars or people on the road. 

2. Contact the Authorities

Once you have taken care of the immediate and pressing need to get out of the road, contact the police. Even if the other party requests that you avoid calling the police and tries to convince you to handle things under the table, it is always better to call the police. For one, it may be required by Texas law. You will be able to file a report with the police where you give all of the details of what led up to your accident.  The police may also be able to aid in your eventual DUI accident claim by performing various DUI tests on the other driver.

3. Document the Accident

As soon as your accident occurs, it is important to begin documenting everything about it.  Calling and speaking with the police is an important first step.  Take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well as all of the vehicles, and gather contact information for all of the parties.  As you move forward, make sure to retain documentation of everything even remotely related to your accident.

4. Get Medical Treatment

After everything has been wrapped up at the scene of the accident, seek medical attention as quickly as possible. There are a couple of different reasons for this.  First, getting in an accident can pump your body full of adrenaline, and one side effect of this is that you may not feel the pain associated with an injury. Going to a doctor immediately after the accident helps ensure you have the best possible chance of catching latent injuries and treating them before they worsen. Your claim will likely depend on creating a link between the accident and your injuries. The sooner after your accident you get medical attention, the stronger this link becomes.

5. Contact a Round Rock DUI Accident Lawyer

While the time after an accident is extremely stressful, you don’t need to go through it alone.  An experienced DUI accident attorney can take the legal side of your accident off of your plate while helping give you the best possible chance at receiving maximum compensation.

Learn More: Why Hiring a Lawyer Will Help Your Case

FILING A DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT CLAIM

Fighting for maximum compensation for your injuries will likely involve filing a drunk driving accident claim. Your best bet in beginning this process will be to speak with an experienced Round Rock drunk driving accident attorney. An attorney may be able to help you evaluate your options and determine what your best course of action would be. They also may be able to handle the process of filing a drunk driving accident claim, which will largely be comprised of a few main steps.

Research and Investigation

Once you have hired a lawyer, they may be able to begin the process of gathering all of the information that could be important in your case. This can include researching the applicable Round Rock and Texas laws and regulations, interviewing and deposing witnesses and the other parties, and gathering and analyzing documents like your medical records and receipts for property damage.

Negotiating a Settlement

After your attorney has a solid handle on your case, they may start the process of negotiating a settlement offer on your behalf.  This step is critical in the majority of cases because it is exceedingly rare for a case to go trial—most will reach a settlement that is agreeable to both parties.  If your attorney has experience in negotiating similar claims, they may be able to use this experience to ensure that you don’t accept a lowball offer, as well as potentially maximize the compensation you receive by emphasizing the strengths of your case while minimizing any potential weaknesses.

Learn More: How to Negotiate with an Insurance Company

Going to Trial

While most cases settle, it can be necessary to go to trial if a party is unwilling to agree to a fair settlement. At this point, it will be critical to have an attorney on your side who has taken cases to trial, as preparing for a trial can be very complex and time-consuming.

FAQs

How long will my case take to settle?

Without knowing the exact details of your case, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of how long the process may take from accident to settlement payout.  However, the process typically takes longer than you might expect and can last anywhere from a few months to years to fully resolve.  Some factors that can impact how long your case takes include the number of vehicles that were involved in your accident, the willingness of the other parties involved to settle, and the severity of your accidents.

How much is my case worth?

This is likely one of the most pressing questions that you have after your accident. After all, you likely have expensive medical and car repair bills to take care of and may have been unable to work for a period of time. Unfortunately, just like with the potential length of time your case might take, each case is unique. Generally, the factors impacting the amount you may recover, if anything, are the severity of your injuries, the recklessness of the driver who caused them, and the amount of fault shared by the other parties.

Learn More: How to Calculate the Value of Case

How long do I have to file my claim?

This question is governed by the relevant statute of limitations, which is the legal term for the length of time that you have starting from the date of your accident to file a claim.  In Texas, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years, which means that you have two years from the date of your accident within which to file a claim.  If you try to bring an action after this time has elapsed, your case will likely be dismissed.

There are certain exceptions to the statute of limitations, however.  For example, if the victim in a car accident is under the age of 18, the statute can essentially be put on pause until they reach the age of majority.  Similarly, if the victim is unable to discover certain injuries until long after the accident, there may be an exception to the statute of limitations.  Rather than rely on an exception, however, it is advisable to seek the help of an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is timely filed.

CONTACT THE ZINDA LAW GROUP ROUND ROCK DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

The Round Rock lawyers at Zinda Law Group understand what a difficult time accident victims go through after their accident.  This is one of the reasons we offer our No Win, No Fee Guarantee—you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driving accident, contact Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation.

Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.