Lancaster Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer: Protecting Victims and Families

Drunk driving crashes are among the most devastating accidents on Lancaster’s roads. Victims often face life-threatening injuries, long-term rehabilitation, and financial uncertainty. If an impaired driver in Lancaster has harmed you, you deserve justice and fair compensation. An experienced Lancaster drunk driving accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible driver accountable and guide you through the complex legal process.

At Allbee Law Firm, we understand how disruptive these accidents can be for victims and their families. That’s why we fight to recover the compensation you need to move forward. Call (972) 848-4848 today for a free consultation and let us protect your rights.

The Impact of Drunk Driving in Lancaster

Why Drunk Driving Is So Dangerous

Lancaster is situated along major routes, including Interstate 35E and Belt Line Road, where high traffic volumes increase the risk of serious collisions. Impaired drivers often speed, ignore traffic signals, or drift into other lanes, creating dangerous situations for everyone on the road.

Because alcohol slows reaction times and clouds judgment, car accidents involving drunk drivers often result in more severe injuries than typical car crashes. Drunk driving accident victims may face years of recovery or even permanent disabilities.

Texas Laws on Drunk Driving

In Texas, a driver is legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, even lower BAC levels can result in impaired driving charges if the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely is compromised. DUI accident cases often involve both criminal charges and civil lawsuits. While criminal court punishes offenders, civil claims, handled by a Lancaster accident attorney, are the path to financial compensation for victims.

Common Injuries From Drunk Driving Accidents in Lancaster

Severe Physical Harm

Victims of drunk driving accidents often sustain catastrophic injuries such as:

• • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Severe burns and lacerations
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage

These injuries frequently require surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term medical care. Some victims never fully recover, leaving them permanently disabled.

Emotional and Financial Strain

Being injured in a drunk driving crash isn’t just physically painful—it can also be emotionally overwhelming. Many victims experience PTSD, anxiety, or depression. Meanwhile, families face the financial strain of medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care needs. A Lancaster drunk driving accident attorney can help calculate both economic and non-economic damages, enabling you to pursue full and fair compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lancaster Drunk Driving Crash?

Holding the Drunk Driver Accountable

The most direct liability falls on the drunk driver who caused the accident. Through a civil claim, victims can recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. Importantly, even if the driver is not convicted in criminal court, you can still pursue a civil lawsuit.

Bars, Restaurants, and Dram Shop Law

Texas law also recognizes that businesses can play a role in drunk driving crashes. Under the dram shop law, a bar, restaurant, or even a private event host can be held liable if they overserve alcohol to someone who was clearly intoxicated, and that person later causes a crash. A Lancaster personal injury lawyer can investigate whether dram shop liability applies in your case, potentially expanding the sources of recovery available to you.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident in Lancaster

Get Medical Help Immediately

Your health and safety should always be the first priority. Even if injuries don’t seem serious at the moment, internal injuries and concussions may not be immediately apparent. Always consult a doctor and maintain thorough medical records—these documents will be crucial to your case.

Document and Report the Crash

Call 911 to ensure law enforcement investigates the crash. Police officers may conduct field sobriety tests, request a breathalyzer, and note evidence of intoxication in their report. This documentation is key to proving liability later. If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and the vehicles involved. Witness statements can also support your DUI accident claim.

The sooner you contact a Lancaster drunk driving accident lawyer, the stronger your case will be. A DUI accident attorney can move quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights from insurance company tactics.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit After a Drunk Driving Accident in Lancaster

Civil vs. Criminal Cases

When a drunk driver causes an accident in Lancaster, two separate cases may occur: a criminal case and a civil lawsuit. The criminal case focuses on punishing the driver with fines, jail time, or license suspension. However, criminal penalties do not provide financial relief to victims. A civil case, handled by a Lancaster drunk driving accident lawyer, seeks compensation for your injuries and losses.

Statute of Limitations in Texas

Texas law gives victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can cause critical evidence to disappear and may prevent you from pursuing compensation altogether. That’s why it’s best to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident.