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Steve Kherkher - March 11, 2026
Every year, thousands of lives are changed forever because someone chose to drive under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving crashes often cause devastating injuries and tragic loss of life that could have been prevented. For individuals who become a victim of a drunk driving accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming physically, emotionally, and financially.
At Kherkher Garcia, we understand how serious drunk driving crashes can be. Victims and families often face long recoveries, medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. Understanding your rights and the legal options available after a drunk driving accident is an important first step toward recovery and accountability.
In the guide below, our car accident attorneys explain the risks of drunk driving, the types of injuries victims may suffer, and what individuals and families should know when considering legal action after a serious crash.
Despite years of public awareness campaigns and strict criminal penalties, drunk driving continues to be a serious safety problem on American roads.
According to federal traffic safety data, alcohol-impaired driving contributes to thousands of fatal crashes every year. In many cases, innocent drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians are the ones who suffer the consequences.
When someone becomes a victim of a drunk driving accident, they often face much more severe injuries than typical vehicle collisions. Alcohol impairment can affect a driver’s ability to:
These impairments frequently lead to high-speed collisions, wrong-way crashes, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
Drunk driving crashes occur in many different scenarios. Some of the most common types of accidents include:
Head-on crashes are particularly common in drunk driving cases. Often, an impaired driver enters the wrong lane or drives the wrong way on a roadway. These crashes often occur at high speeds and can cause catastrophic injuries.
Drunk drivers often have delayed reaction times. They may also misjudge the distance between vehicles. This can lead to rear-end crashes when the driver fails to slow down for traffic or stop at intersections.
Intersections are common locations for drunk driving accidents. Impaired drivers may ignore stop signs, red lights, or right-of-way rules.
Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable when an impaired driver loses control or fails to notice them on the roadway. Drunk drivers often cannot distinguish where pedestrians or cyclists are in relation to their vehicle.
In some cases, drunk drivers cause chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles. These incidents can result in widespread injuries and property damage.
Drunk driving crashes often involve high speeds or reckless driving behavior, which increases the likelihood of serious injuries. A victim of a drunk driving accident may suffer injuries such as:
Head trauma is one of the most serious outcomes of a motor vehicle collision. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause long-term cognitive problems, memory loss, and personality changes. In severe cases, a TBI can lead to permanent disability.
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis. Victims may require lifelong medical care and mobility assistance.
Fractures are common in high-impact collisions. Some victims may need multiple surgeries or months of physical therapy. Tendons and ligaments are also vulnerable to strains, sprains, tears, or misalignment.
Blunt force trauma from a crash can damage internal organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen. Broken ribs can also cause catastrophic damage to the organs in the chest wall, including the heart.
Vehicle fires sometimes occur after serious collisions, leading to severe burn injuries. Burn injuries range in severity and often take months to heal.
Survivors of drunk driving accidents often experience emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For many victims, recovery may take months or years. In severe cases, injuries can permanently affect a person’s ability to work or maintain independence.
Tragically, many drunk driving crashes result in fatalities. Families who lose a loved one may experience immense emotional and financial hardship. In these situations, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim after a drunk driving accident.
Wrongful death claims may seek compensation for:
Although no legal action can replace a loved one, a wrongful death claim may help families obtain financial stability and accountability.
The intoxicated driver is often the primary party responsible for a drunk driving crash. However, other parties may sometimes share liability depending on the circumstances. Potentially responsible parties may include:
Determining liability often requires careful investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Drunk driving cases frequently involve both criminal proceedings and civil claims.
A driver who causes a crash while intoxicated may face criminal charges such as:
Criminal cases are handled by prosecutors and focus on punishing the negligent driver.
Civil lawsuits focus on compensation for victims. A victim of a drunk driving accident may pursue a personal injury claim seeking damages for losses resulting from the crash. These claims are separate from criminal proceedings and may proceed even if criminal charges are pending.
Victims of drunk driving accidents may be able to recover compensation for a range of losses, including:
In some cases, courts may also award punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct is particularly reckless. Drunk driving may qualify as this type of conduct in some jurisdictions.
The actions taken after a crash can affect both recovery and legal rights. Victims should consider the following steps:
Cases involving drunk driving accidents can be complex. They often require investigation into multiple sources of evidence, including:
An attorney may also evaluate whether third-party liability exists, such as claims against establishments that over served alcohol. For many victims, legal representation can help ensure that all potential avenues of compensation are explored.
Hit-and-run drunk driving accidents can still result in compensation through uninsured motorist coverage or other legal options. It is best to speak with an attorney about your situation to determine your best options for compensation.
Yes. Civil claims have a different legal standard than criminal cases. Your attorney will explain the differences after a careful review of your case.
Deadlines vary by state. Typically, personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. Speaking with an attorney promptly can help ensure that legal rights are preserved.
Many states allow victims to recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the crash. In Texas, you can pursue compensation if you are 50% or less responsible for an accident. The amount of compensation you are eligible for will be reduced by your level of fault.
When someone becomes a victim of a drunk driving accident, the impact can be devastating for both the individual and their family. Kherkher Garcia has experience representing individuals harmed by reckless drivers and catastrophic motor vehicle accidents. Our legal team works with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators to understand what happened and identify responsible parties.
We are committed to helping victims and families pursue accountability and fair compensation.
Drunk driving accidents are preventable tragedies that can change lives in an instant. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by an intoxicated driver, you may have legal options. The attorneys at Kherkher Garcia offer free, confidential consultations to help victims understand their rights and explore potential claims.
If you are a victim of a drunk driving accident, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Our Houston, Galveston, and Dallas car accident lawyers at Kherkher Garcia are here to help. Contact Kherkher Garcia today to speak with an attorney about your situation and learn how we may be able to help. Call us at 713-333-1030, or submit our online contact form to get started.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
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