Houston Drunk Driving Accidents Attorney
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2014, 31% of all car crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. These deaths were preventable. When a drunk driver gets behind the wheel and kills someone, they must be held accountable. Also, the party that gave them the alcohol may also be liable. There can be more than one party responsible when there are drunk driving accidents.
When an impaired driver causes a car crash, there may be a case against the drunk driver as well as establishments that irresponsibly served the alcohol to the individual. Every bar, restaurant, or vendor who provides alcohol should do so safely, following policies and procedures in place to protect the public.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a drunk driver, Chelsie King Garza can help. Contact her online or call now, 713-893-8808.
Drunk Driving Accidents can Cause Great Harm
In a drunk driving case, it must be demonstrated that the operator was driving with a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit, that this intoxicated driver caused the wreck, and that the driver’s neglect caused you harm. The harm caused by any car crash can be devastating. Victims may suffer:
- Death
- Brain bleeds and traumatic brain injuries
- Fractured and broken bones
- Catastrophic injuries
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
- Pain and suffering
The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated that any person having a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher is deemed alcohol-impaired. The average person metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about one drink per hour. The adage of drinking one glass of water per drink to avoid getting drunk or drinking coffee to wake up, do not work. The only way to sober up is time. Allowing the body time to metabolize the liquor is the only true way to sober up.
According to statistics provided by NHTSA, most drunk driving accidents occur on the weekends. This makes sense considering the recreation that goes on for most between Friday through Sunday, as opposed to during the week when we have to wake up for work the next morning.
What Should Dram Shop Owners look for to determine if Someone is Drunk
Restaurants and bars that serve alcohol have the responsibility to refuse service to patrons who enter their establishment drunk or to stop serving patrons who become drunk. We all exhibit certain behaviors when we become overly intoxicated; those can include:
- Falling or the inability to walk straight
- Falling out of our chairs
- Slurred speech or talking gibberish
- Loud and obnoxious behavior
- Spilling drinks or knocking things over
- Glassy eyes or the ability to keep eyes open
Visibly drunk patrons cannot be allowed to continue drinking. Bars and restaurants must stop serving these individuals. They may also offer these individuals a cab ride home instead of allowing them behind the wheel. Drunk drivers are dangerous to everyone on or near the roadway.
Contact a Houston Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs motor skills. Drugs and alcohol also impair judgment. A drunk driver cannot make split second decisions. They can’t react quickly to changing road conditions. An impaired driver is a dangerous driver.
Bars and restaurants that continue to serve drunk patrons run the risk of allowing impaired drivers on the road. If a bar or restaurant overserves a guest and they kill someone on the road, that bar or restaurant should be held accountable. They should pay for the part they played in the tragedy.
Chelsie King Garza has experience handling a variety of car accident cases, including dram shop cases against a reckless bar owner. Contact Chelsie King Garza today for a free consultation or call 713-893-8808 to learn your rights.
