Houston DUI Accident Lawyer

Why Choose The Stano Law Firm as Your Houston DUI Accident Attorney

Our Houston DUI accident attorneys take drunk driving cases seriously. We never defend drunk drivers or the establishments that overserve them. Here’s what sets us apart:

We handle every case on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs, no consultation fees, and we advance all litigation expenses. Our attorneys only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Our legal team has decades of combined experience in personal injury law. We know how Harris County juries feel about drunk drivers, and we use that knowledge to build strong cases for our clients.

We treat every client like family. You’re not just another case number to us. We provide personal attention and regular updates throughout your case.

What Compensation Can a Houston DUI Accident Lawyer Recover?

A Houston DUI accident attorney can pursue several types of damages on your behalf:

• Medical expenses for emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and future medical treatment
• Lost wages from time missed at work during your recovery
• Loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
• Pain and suffering from your physical injuries
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Reduced quality of life and loss of enjoyment of daily activities
• Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability
• In-home care, medical equipment, and home modifications
• Punitive damages to punish the drunk driver’s reckless behavior

Texas also passed a law in 2023 requiring drunk drivers convicted of intoxication manslaughter to pay child support to any children of deceased victims. This applies even when a surviving parent or guardian is present.

To learn what damages apply to your specific situation, contact an experienced Houston DUI accident lawyer for a free case review.

How a DUI Accident Attorney in Houston Can Help Your Case

A drunk driving accident attorney understands that drunk drivers often don’t carry enough insurance to cover serious injuries. That’s why we look for other sources of compensation.

We investigate whether bars, restaurants, or nightclubs overserved the drunk driver. Texas dram shop laws allow victims to hold these businesses accountable when they serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons or to minors.

We also examine whether an employer shares liability. If the drunk driver was drinking at a work function or driving a company vehicle, the employer might be responsible for your damages.

Some questions we’ll help you answer:

• Can you file a dram shop claim against the bar or restaurant?
• Do you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
• Was the drunk driver working at the time of the crash?
• Can you pursue negligent entrustment claims against a vehicle owner?

Call us for a free consultation to discuss all your legal options.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Houston DUI Accident Lawyer?

Consultations are free at The Stano Law Firm. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case and recover compensation for you.

We advance all case expenses, including expert witness fees, court costs, and investigation expenses. You only reimburse these costs if we successfully recover money for you.

This payment structure means anyone can afford a top Houston DUI accident attorney, regardless of their financial situation.

Steps to Take After Being Injured by a Drunk Driver

After a drunk driving accident, taking the right steps can protect your health and strengthen your legal case:

Seek Medical Care Immediately

Your health comes first. If you’re injured, accept medical attention at the scene. Let EMTs evaluate you and follow their recommendations. Go to the hospital right away if needed.

Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Getting checked out creates medical records that document your injuries from the start.

Document the Driver’s Condition

Pay attention to signs of intoxication. Does the driver stumble or have trouble standing? Is their speech slurred? Do you smell alcohol on their breath or in their vehicle?

Take photos or videos if you can safely do so. This evidence can support your claim and help the police investigation.

Contact Law Enforcement

Call 911 immediately. Police officers will perform standardized field sobriety tests and may conduct chemical testing. The police report becomes important evidence in your case.

Officers will also document the scene, take witness statements, and collect other evidence. If the driver shows signs of intoxication, police may arrest them and begin criminal proceedings.

Talk to Witnesses

Get contact information from anyone who saw the accident. Other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or nearby residents might have witnessed what happened.

Ask witnesses to describe what they saw. Their statements can help establish fault and prove the driver’s impairment.

Call a Houston DUI Accident Attorney

After addressing immediate medical needs and speaking with police, contact a DUI accident lawyer. The sooner you get legal help, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Multiple Ways to Recover Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident

Victims of drunk driving accidents have several avenues for compensation:

Restitution Through Criminal Court

The district attorney may ask the criminal court to award restitution as part of the drunk driver’s sentence. Restitution typically covers medical expenses and other direct costs.

Contact the district attorney’s office to provide copies of your medical bills and other expenses. This ensures the court considers all your losses when ordering restitution.

Texas Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund

Victims of violent crimes, including DWI, can apply for compensation through the Texas Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund. This program helps cover certain costs and losses.

To qualify, the crime must have occurred in Texas, you must not have participated in the crime, and you must be a U.S. resident. You have three years from the date of the crime to apply.

Civil Personal Injury Lawsuit

Filing a civil lawsuit gives you the opportunity to recover the widest range of damages. Unlike restitution or crime victim compensation, a personal injury lawsuit can include:

• All medical expenses, past and future
• Full lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Punitive damages

A personal injury lawyer can file your lawsuit and fight to maximize your recovery from all responsible parties.

Child Support Payments

Under Texas law passed in 2023, drunk drivers convicted of intoxication manslaughter after September 1, 2023 must pay child support to surviving minor children of their victims. This applies even when another parent or guardian survives.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit After a Drunk Driving Accident

In Texas, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations is strict, so don’t wait to take action.

The drunk driver is legally liable for all injuries they cause. However, you still need to file a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation. Insurance companies won’t just volunteer to pay you fairly.

Never give a statement to the drunk driver’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters will try to use your words against you to reduce or deny your claim.

Third-Party Liability in DUI Cases

Your Houston DUI accident attorney will investigate whether other parties share liability:

Bars, Restaurants, and Nightclubs

Texas dram shop laws hold alcohol vendors liable when they serve obviously intoxicated customers or minors who then cause accidents. These claims require proof that the establishment knew or should have known the person was intoxicated.

Our firm has experience winning dram shop cases against bars and restaurants. We hire dram shop experts who can testify about industry standards and how the establishment violated them.

Social Hosts

People who provide alcohol to minors at private parties can be held liable if those minors cause drunk driving accidents. Texas law recognizes that adults who give alcohol to underage drinkers share responsibility for the consequences.

Employers

If the drunk driver was attending a work function where they were served alcohol, their employer might be liable. Companies that provide alcohol at work events have a duty to prevent employees from driving drunk afterward.

If the drunk driver was using a company vehicle, the employer could face vicarious liability for the accident.

Vehicle Owners

Someone who loans their car to a person they know is drunk or has a drinking problem might face negligent entrustment claims. If a vehicle owner knew or should have known the driver was dangerous, they can be held partially responsible.

We leave no stone unturned in finding all parties who contributed to your injuries.

Houston and Texas Drunk Driving Statistics

Understanding the scope of drunk driving in Texas shows why these cases deserve serious attention.

Statewide Numbers

Texas recorded 22,737 DUI-alcohol-related crashes in 2024. These crashes killed 1,053 people across the state. That’s roughly three deaths every day from drunk driving.

DUI-related fatalities made up about 25 percent of all traffic deaths in Texas last year. Approximately 13,500 people suffered injuries in alcohol-related crashes statewide in 2024.

Houston and Harris County

Harris County, which includes Houston, saw 3,357 DUI-related crashes in 2024. That’s the highest number for any county in Texas.

Drunk driving killed 165 people in Harris County in 2024. Nearly 1,900 people were injured in DWI crashes in Harris County that year.

These numbers show that Houston has a serious drunk driving problem. They also explain why Harris County juries tend to award substantial compensation in drunk driving cases.

National Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 37 people die every day in drunk driving crashes nationwide. In 2021, drunk drivers killed 13,384 people across the United States. Texas accounted for 1,906 of those deaths.

Common Types of Drunk Driving Accidents

Certain crash types happen more often when alcohol is involved:

Head-On Collisions

Drunk drivers often cross the center line or drive the wrong way, causing devastating head-on crashes. These accidents typically result in severe injuries or death because of the combined force of two vehicles hitting each other directly.

Rollover Accidents

Impaired drivers may lose control at high speeds or drive erratically, leading to rollovers. These crashes can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and crush injuries.

Rear-End Crashes

Alcohol slows reaction time. Drunk drivers often fail to brake in time, slamming into vehicles stopped at red lights or in traffic. Even “minor” rear-end crashes can cause whiplash, back injuries, and other serious harm.

Regardless of how the collision occurred, drunk driving causes serious injuries in almost every case. Even when no one dies, victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, or permanent disabilities.

What Are the Legal Consequences of Drunk Driving in Texas?

Drunk drivers face both criminal charges and civil liability.

Criminal Penalties

Texas law defines drunk driving as having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. Drivers can also be charged if they’ve lost normal use of their mental or physical abilities due to alcohol or drugs.

Criminal penalties for DWI include:

• Substantial fines
• Jail or prison time
• License suspension
• Mandatory alcohol education programs
• Ignition interlock devices

A third DWI offense becomes a felony in Texas and usually results in prison time. If someone is seriously injured, the driver can be charged with intoxication assault. If someone dies, the charge is intoxication manslaughter.

Intoxication Assault

Intoxication assault is a third-degree felony in Texas. It occurs when a drunk driver causes serious bodily injury to another person. Serious bodily injury means an injury that creates substantial risk of death or causes serious permanent disfigurement or loss of function of a body part.

Conviction carries a fine up to $10,000 and two to ten years in prison.

Intoxication Manslaughter

Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. It happens when a drunk driver causes someone’s death by accident or mistake while operating a vehicle, boat, plane, or amusement ride.

Conviction can result in a fine up to $10,000 and two to twenty years in prison.

Civil Liability

In addition to criminal penalties, drunk drivers face civil lawsuits from their victims. Civil cases allow injured people to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Civil liability is separate from criminal charges. You can win your civil case even if the driver isn’t convicted in criminal court. The burden of proof is lower in civil cases than in criminal proceedings.

Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases

Drunk driving cases differ from other car accidents because victims can seek punitive damages. Also called exemplary damages, these payments punish the drunk driver for their reckless conduct.

Punitive damages aren’t tied to your actual losses. Instead, they’re meant to penalize the defendant and deter others from driving drunk. Harris County juries often award substantial punitive damages in drunk driving cases.

Even though insurance may not cover punitive damages in Texas, these damages significantly increase your case’s value. Insurance companies know that juries hate drunk drivers. The threat of a large punitive damage award often motivates insurers to settle for more money.

Our Houston DUI accident lawyers have won punitive damages in many cases against drunk drivers. We know how to present evidence of the driver’s recklessness to maximize your compensation.

What If the Drunk Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Many drunk drivers don’t carry adequate insurance. Their irresponsibility often extends beyond just driving drunk. You need a lawyer who knows how to find compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Your Own Insurance Coverage

Check your own auto insurance policy for uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. These coverages pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance.

Your lawyer can help you file a claim with your own insurance company and fight to get you the full amount you’re owed.

Dram Shop Claims

If a bar or restaurant overserved the drunk driver, you can pursue a claim against that establishment. Bars often carry substantial liability insurance, providing another source of compensation.

Crime Victim’s Compensation

As mentioned earlier, you can apply to the Texas Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund for help with certain costs.

Other Liable Parties

Your attorney will investigate whether employers, vehicle owners, or other parties share liability. These defendants might have insurance coverage or assets that can compensate you.

How Much Is a Drunk Driving Accident Case Worth?

Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on several factors:

Severity of Your Injuries

More serious injuries result in higher compensation. A traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury that leaves you permanently disabled is worth more than a broken bone that heals completely.

Available Insurance Coverage

Your recovery is often limited by how much insurance coverage is available. If the drunk driver only has minimum coverage and no other liable parties exist, that might cap your compensation.

Quality of Your Legal Representation

The lawyer you hire makes a difference. Experienced attorneys who are willing to take cases to trial typically recover more money than lawyers who settle every case quickly.

Cases with minor injuries and low medical bills might settle in the tens of thousands of dollars. Serious injury cases with multiple sources of insurance coverage can be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Harris County Jury Attitudes

Harris County juries consistently award higher amounts in drunk driving cases than in regular car accidents. Jurors have little patience for drunk drivers and often award substantial punitive damages.

Insurance companies know this. The threat of going before a Harris County jury motivates insurers to offer better settlements.

Building Your Drunk Driving Accident Case

Our Houston DUI accident attorneys take specific steps to build the strongest possible case:

Gather Evidence

We collect all available evidence, including:

• Police reports and arrest records
• Accident scene photos and videos
• Witness statements
• Medical records and bills
• Blood alcohol test results
• Field sobriety test results
• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
• Cell phone records
• Social media posts

Hire Expert Witnesses

We work with top experts to strengthen your case:

• Toxicology experts who can explain how alcohol impaired the driver
• Accident reconstruction specialists who recreate how the crash occurred
• Medical experts who testify about your injuries and future needs
• Life care planners who calculate the cost of your ongoing care
• Dram shop experts who establish bar liability

We front all costs for these experts. You only reimburse these expenses if we win your case.

Document Your Damages

We carefully track all your losses:

• Every medical bill and prescription cost
• All lost wages and missed work time
• Future medical expenses
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain levels and how injuries affect your daily life
• Emotional and psychological impacts

Complete documentation helps us prove the full value of your claim.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

We handle all communications with insurance adjusters. We know their tactics for minimizing payouts, and we don’t let them take advantage of you.

Our goal is to secure a settlement that fully compensates you without going to trial. However, we’re always prepared to file a lawsuit if negotiations fail.

Take Your Case to Trial

If the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, we’ll take your case to trial. We’re not afraid of the courtroom. Many insurance companies prefer to settle once they see we’re serious about going to trial.

Will Your Case Go to Trial?

Most drunk driving accident cases settle before trial. Insurance companies understand the risks they face when a drunk driving case goes before a Harris County jury.

However, settlement isn’t always possible. Some insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. When that happens, filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial is necessary.

If the drunk driver was arrested for DWI, your odds of needing a trial drop significantly. The criminal evidence helps prove your civil case. Insurance companies know juries will be sympathetic to victims and harsh on drunk drivers.

Even when we file a lawsuit, many cases still settle before the trial date. The closer we get to trial, the more pressure the insurance company feels to make a reasonable offer.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Texas law requires you to file a lawsuit within two years from the date of your accident. This is called the statute of limitations.

Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to sue. Courts rarely make exceptions. That’s why you shouldn’t wait to contact a lawyer.

Some situations have shorter deadlines. If a government entity is involved, you might need to file a notice of claim within six months.

Don’t delay. Call a Houston DUI accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What If the Drunk Driver Wasn’t Arrested?

Sometimes drunk drivers aren’t arrested at the scene. Police might not have enough evidence for an arrest, or the driver might have left before officers arrived.

Not having an arrest doesn’t prevent you from filing a civil lawsuit. However, it can make proving intoxication more difficult.

Your attorney can investigate to find evidence of intoxication:

• Witness testimony about the driver’s behavior
• Surveillance video from bars or restaurants
• Credit card receipts showing alcohol purchases
• Social media posts
• Statements the driver made at the scene

Even without a criminal conviction, you can still win your civil case and recover compensation.

Report Suspected Drunk Drivers

If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road, you can help prevent accidents by reporting them.

The Texas Department of Public Safety operates a hotline at 1-800-525-5555 for reporting drunk drivers. Your call can be anonymous and might save lives.

Look for these signs of drunk driving:

• Swerving between lanes
• Driving too slowly or too fast
• Stopping for no reason
• Nearly hitting other vehicles or objects
• Driving at night without headlights
• Making wide turns

If you see these behaviors, call 911 or the DPS hotline immediately. Give the dispatcher the vehicle’s location, direction of travel, license plate number, and description.

Get Medical Treatment After Your Accident

Receiving medical care right away is important for your health and your legal claim.

Go to the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:

• Head injuries or loss of consciousness
• Neck or back pain
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
• Broken bones
• Severe pain anywhere

Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, see a doctor within a few days. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Documenting your injuries early strengthens your claim.

Keep all your medical appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue your injuries aren’t serious.

Save copies of all medical bills, prescription receipts, and medical records. Your lawyer will need these documents to prove your damages.

How to Find the Best Houston DUI Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right attorney affects the outcome of your case. Look for these qualities:

Experience With Drunk Driving Cases

Your lawyer should have specific experience handling DUI accident cases. These claims involve unique issues like dram shop liability, punitive damages, and coordination with criminal cases.

Ask how many drunk driving cases the attorney has handled and what results they achieved.

Willingness to Go to Trial

Some lawyers settle every case quickly to avoid trial. You want an attorney who is prepared to take your case to court if necessary.

Insurance companies pay more when they know your lawyer isn’t afraid of trial.

Resources to Handle Complex Cases

Drunk driving cases often require expert witnesses, extensive investigation, and substantial litigation costs. Make sure your lawyer has the resources to fully develop your case.

Personal Attention

You deserve a lawyer who treats you like a person, not just a case number. Choose a firm that provides regular updates and answers your questions promptly.

Contingency Fee Arrangement

Never pay upfront fees or hourly rates for a drunk driving accident case. Reputable personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning you pay only if you win.

The Stano Law Firm Is Ready to Fight for You

Drunk driving accidents change lives in an instant. You’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost income, and pain. You shouldn’t have to fight insurance companies alone.

The Stano Law Firm has the experience and resources to handle your drunk driving accident case. We’ll investigate what happened, identify all liable parties, and fight to recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. We advance all litigation costs and expert fees. There’s no financial risk to you.

Our team will handle all communications with insurance companies, gather evidence, hire experts, and build the strongest possible case. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and answer all your questions.

Harris County juries don’t tolerate drunk drivers. We know how to use that to your advantage. Whether through settlement or trial, we’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Don’t wait. The statute of limitations gives you only two years to file a lawsuit. Evidence can disappear. Witnesses’ memories fade. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights.

Call The Stano Law Firm today for a free consultation. Let us put our experience to work for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.