Experienced Houston Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
A drunk driver’s reckless choice upended your life. A Houston drunk driving accident lawyer fights to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure your financial recovery. You have rights, and an advocate from Heil Law Firm protects them. Call us at (361) 356-1277 to learn how we battle for justice.
Key Takeaways:
Drunk driving collisions often reflect higher degrees of negligence and therefore greater potential liability.
Victims may face serious injuries or wrongful death; criminal charges against the driver may strengthen the civil claim.
Key evidence: BAC tests, driver history, witness statements, police reports.
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, emotional trauma, punitive damages.
Specialized legal representation ensures timely notice, proper evidence gathering, and maximizing recovery in these high-impact cases.
Why Choose Heil Law Firm for Your Houston Drunk Driving Accident Case
Selecting the right legal team sets the direction for your case. Heil Law Firm is a relentless advocate for the injured. Our focus is on getting results for you and our community.
We Battle for Justice
We’re aggressive litigators with a single mission: to win for our clients. Our founder, Robert J. Heil III, brings over two decades of courtroom experience to every case. He doesn’t represent large corporations or insurance companies.
Our lawyers represent people in Houston, just like you, who have been wrongfully injured. We prepare every drunk driving accident case for trial from the start. This aggressive preparation often leads to favorable settlements because insurance companies know we are ready to fight.
Deep Roots in the Houston Community
Heil Law Firm is dedicated to serving the Houston area. Our team understands the unique challenges of navigating life and law in Harris County.
We know the roads you travel, from catastrophic wrecks on the 610 Loop and I-45 to collisions on busy streets in The Galleria, Midtown, or Pearland. Our commitment goes beyond legal representation.
We live by the motto "Battling for Justice, Winning for Community" by donating a portion of every case we win back to local organizations. When you choose us, your victory is also for the community we call home.
A Proven Track Record Against Insurance Companies
After a crash, the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster may contact you quickly. Their goal is to protect their company's profits by paying you as little as possible. We shield you from these tactics. Your Houston drunk driving accident attorney manages all communications, negotiations, and legal filings.
We have a reputation for relentlessly fighting to get our clients the maximum compensation available. Our attorneys deliver results. Your fight for justice starts now. Contact Heil Law Firm today at (361) 356-1277 for your free case consultation.
Get A FREE Case Evaluation (361) 356-1277
The Role of a Houston Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Your Houston drunk driving accident lawyer acts as your personal advocate from start to finish. We handle the complex legal details so you have the space to focus on your recovery. Our team is here to guide you through every stage.
Investigating the Crash and Proving Liability
Proving fault is the cornerstone of any personal injury claim. We launch a private investigation into your accident. We obtain police reports, witness statements, and photos or videos from the scene.
Our team works with accident reconstructionists to show exactly how the drunk driver’s negligence caused the collision. We also secure evidence related to the driver’s intoxication, including their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results from the criminal case.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Damages
An insurance company may offer a quick, low settlement that doesn't cover the true cost of your injuries. A dedicated Houston drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm meticulously calculates all of your losses.
Our goal is to secure a complete financial recovery that accounts for every way this accident has impacted your life.
Handling All Communication With Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. They use specific tactics to devalue your claim. They may try to get you to give a recorded statement to twist your words later. They may ask for a broad medical records authorization to look for pre-existing conditions to blame for your pain.
When you hire Heil Law Firm, tell the adjuster to talk to us. We manage all calls, emails, and paperwork. This protects you from their strategies and lets us control the narrative, presenting your case from a position of strength.
Pursuing All Avenues for Compensation
Sometimes, more than one party is responsible for a drunk driving wreck. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, a bar, restaurant, or store may be liable for your injuries.
This happens if they provided alcohol to a person who was obviously intoxicated and presented a clear danger to themselves and others. Your Houston drunk driving attorney investigates where the driver was drinking before the crash.
If a vendor overserved them, we pursue a claim against that establishment in addition to the drunk driver, increasing the sources of your potential recovery.
Types of Compensation in a Texas Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit
Texas law allows victims of negligence to seek compensation for their losses, known as damages. These losses are grouped into three main categories. A Houston drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm fights for a complete recovery covering all of them.
Economic Damages
These are the most straightforward damages to calculate. Economic damages reimburse you for the direct financial costs stemming from the accident. Your attorney compiles bills, receipts, and pay stubs to document these losses.
Here are common types of economic damages:
- Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the ambulance ride and emergency room care to surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future medical needs.
- Lost Wages: This covers the income you lost while you couldn’t work and were recovering from your injuries.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you may get compensation for the income you can no longer earn.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your property damaged in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal losses you have suffered. These damages are harder to assign a dollar value to, but are just as real as your medical bills. Experienced Houston personal injury lawyers know how to value non-economic damages fairly.
Non-economic damages include compensation for:
- Pain and Suffering: This addresses the physical pain and discomfort your injuries have caused.
- Mental Anguish: This compensation accounts for the emotional trauma, fear, anxiety, and depression resulting from the crash.
- Physical Disfigurement: If your injuries caused scarring or amputation, you may receive compensation for the disfigurement.
- Loss of Consortium: Your spouse may have a claim for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy caused by your injuries.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, you may also be able to secure punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are meant to compensate the victim, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
In Texas, punitive damages are often awarded in drunk driving cases because driving while intoxicated is considered a grossly negligent act. A Houston drunk driving accident lawyer will evaluate your case to see if seeking these damages is possible.
Navigating Your Claim After a Drunk Driving Collision in Harris County
The legal path after a drunk driving wreck is complicated. Knowing what to do (and what not to do) protects your right to seek compensation.
The Police Report and Criminal Case
After a drunk driving accident, the responding officers will create an official police report. This report contains key details about the crash, including the officer's initial findings of fault. It also documents if the other driver was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
The outcome of the driver's criminal case, such as a conviction, can serve as powerful evidence of their negligence in your civil claim. Your Houston drunk driving accident lawyer obtains this report and monitors the criminal proceedings.
When the Drunk Driver's Insurer Calls You
You have no obligation to speak with the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster. In fact, it’s best that you don’t provide them with any information or a recorded statement. Politely decline to speak, and tell them your attorney will contact them.
Heil Law Firm takes over all communications with insurers to protect you from their tactics.
Preserving Evidence for Your Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The more evidence you have, the stronger your case becomes. While your lawyer will conduct a formal investigation, there are things you may do to help preserve important information.
Your lawyer can use the following to strengthen your claim:
- Photos and Videos: Take pictures of the accident scene, your vehicle damage, your visible injuries, and any relevant road signs or conditions.
- Witness Information: Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident happen.
- Medical Records: Keep a file of all your doctor visits, medical treatments, and any bills or receipts related to your healthcare.
FAQ for Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
How Much Is My Houston Drunk Driving Accident Case Worth?
There is no average settlement amount, as every case is unique. The value of your claim depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the total of your medical bills and lost wages, and the impact the injuries have on your daily life.
An experienced attorney evaluates all of your damages, including potential punitive damages, to determine the full and fair value of your claim before negotiating with the insurer.
What if the Drunk Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene?
If an uninsured or underinsured motorist hit you, or if you were the victim of a hit-and-run, you still have options for financial recovery. You may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company through your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
A Houston drunk driving injury lawyer helps you navigate this process with your own insurer to get the compensation you need.
Can I Sue the Bar or Restaurant That Served the Drunk Driver in Houston?
Yes, under the Texas Dram Shop Act, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a vendor that sold or served alcohol to the drunk driver. Your lawyer must prove that the establishment served a patron who was already obviously intoxicated and presented a danger to others.
Our attorneys have experience investigating these complex cases to hold all negligent parties accountable.
Why Do I Need a Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer if the Other Driver Was Clearly at Fault?
Even when fault seems obvious, insurance companies work to pay out as little as possible. An adjuster may try to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim or that you were partially at fault for the accident to reduce their payout.
A skilled Houston attorney anticipates these tactics, gathers the evidence to prove the full extent of your damages, and fights to get the maximum recovery.
How Does the Driver’s Criminal DWI Case Affect My Personal Injury Claim?
The criminal and civil cases are two separate legal actions. The State of Texas prosecutes the driver for the crime of DWI in criminal court to impose penalties like fines or jail time.
Your personal injury claim is a separate civil case in which you seek financial compensation for your damages from the driver and their insurance company.
A guilty plea or conviction in the criminal case serves as powerful evidence of negligence in your civil claim, and your lawyer uses that to strengthen your position.
Your Battle for Justice Is Our Mission
A drunk driver inflicted your pain, but you don’t have to carry the legal burden alone. Heil Law Firm is ready to stand by your side and fight for the justice and compensation you need. We’re relentless in our pursuit of victory for our clients because your win is a win for our entire community.
Your future doesn’t have to be defined by this one moment. Take the first step toward reclaiming your life. Call Houston personal injury law firm at (361) 356-1277 or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Get A FREE Case Evaluation (361) 356-1277
Our Testimonials.
There’s a reason that this group is voted the Best in Texas …. They go above and beyond to ensure that you are taken care of during your traumatic experience. I HIGHLY recommend Mr. Heil. Ms. Gloria and Ms. Veronica are two of the best people I have ever met.
Keith Porter
Every interaction with each member of the staff we had yielded quality answers to our questions. Heil Law Firm employees were exceptionally professional in service, and simultaneously maintained a friendly and helpful business attitude.
Nicholas Green
Quality experienced staff that they really care, I would recommend them to anyone. It’s great that you don’t have to pay out of pocket to receive the medical treatment you need, they take care of everything including dealing with the insurance companies.
Ben W
Attorney Robert J Heil, was so kind and humble, and so is the rest of his team, the Heil Law Firm, they all welcomed me with open arms and did their best efforts to get excellent results in my case, I'm just so grateful for you guys help, appreciate everything you all do for the good and the people.
Leticia Berg
Excellent service, very professional and high quality, 100% recommended.
