Pursuing Compensation When the At-Fault Party Was Impaired
It’s an unfortunate reality that drunk driving accidents increase during the holidays, both in Texas and nationwide. There are more vehicles on the road and there’s a higher rate of impairment of those who are driving. For a variety of reasons, it can be more difficult to recover full and fair compensation when the at-fault party was intoxicated or impaired. Often, these drivers don’t have adequate insurance to cover all your losses. What are your options when you’ve been hurt by an impaired driving during the holidays?
The Increase in Impaired Driving at the End of the Year
Studies show that arrests and accidents where one of more of the parties is impaired historically go up during the year-end holidays. Experts say the increase in social events where alcohol is served are a significant contributing factor, but that the holidays also see a dramatic rise in the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism.
What Can You Do When You Are Injured by a Drunk Driver Who Lacks Sufficient Insurance to Cover Your Losses?
Many drunk drivers are repeat offenders. If they’ve been previously cited or convicted of a DUI, they may have difficult obtaining or affording the insurance required by law. If you are injured by a drunk driver who is either uninsured or underinsured, here are some of your options:
- You can seek coverage under your own policy, if you have a rider that provides for benefits for uninsured or underinsured motorists (UM/UIM)
- You may be able to bring a claim against the party who served the alcohol, either as a dram shop claim or under the legal principle of social host liability
- You may have a claim against the driver’s employer, if the accident occurred while the defendant was in the course of his or her employment
Let Attorney Michael De La Paz Help Protect Your Rights When You Have Been Hurt
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience protecting the rights of personal injury victims in Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville and Houston, across Texas and nationwide, including men, women and children who have suffered needless injury in Texas motor vehicle accident. We will use our considerable experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you get the outcome you want. Free call, text or chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Handling Motor Vehicle Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma