What Happens After You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston?
If you were hit by a drunk driver in Houston, you are dealing with pain, bills, and a lot of anger. You did nothing wrong, yet your life changed in seconds because someone chose to drink and drive. The good news: Texas law is on your side, and The Miller Law Firm – home of The Texas Bulldog – is ready to bite back.
This guide explains exactly what to do after a drunk driving crash, how liability works in Texas, what your case may be worth, and how recent drunk driving statistics across Texas cities prove the problem is getting worse – not better.
Table of Contents
- What to Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston
- Who Is Legally at Fault When a Drunk Driver Hits You?
- Drunk Driving Accident Statistics Across Texas Cities
- What Your Houston Drunk Driving Accident Claim May Be Worth
- Who Actually Pays After a Drunk Driving Crash?
- How The Texas Bulldog Builds and Wins Drunk Driving Cases
- Struggling With Bills? Pre-Settlement Legal Funding Can Help
- Common Injuries After a Drunk Driving Crash in Houston
- Big Mistakes to Avoid After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
- Real Client Reviews
- FAQs: Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston
- Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston? Call The Texas Bulldog Today
What to Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston
Right after the crash, your top priorities are safety, medical care, and evidence. Here are the crucial steps:
- Call 911 immediately. Ask for police and EMS. A police report documenting suspected intoxication is powerful evidence.
- Tell the officer what you observed. Slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, stumbling, open containers, or bar receipts all matter.
- Get medical care right away. Go to the ER or urgent care, even if you think you are “just sore.” Hidden injuries are common.
- Take photos and video. Capture vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, open containers, bar wristbands, and the other driver’s behavior.
- Collect witness information. Get names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Bystanders often notice signs of intoxication.
- Do not argue with the drunk driver. Let law enforcement handle it. Focus on your safety.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.
For a step-by-step breakdown of what to do after a drunk driving crash, see our What to Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Drunk Driver guide.
Who Is Legally at Fault When a Drunk Driver Hits You?
In Texas, driving while intoxicated is a crime and also strong evidence of civil negligence. If a driver is over the legal limit or impaired by alcohol or drugs, that is usually considered “negligence per se” – a clear violation of the law that caused your injuries.
In many Houston drunk driving cases, more than one party can share responsibility:
- The drunk driver. They chose to drive under the influence and are the primary at-fault party.
- Their insurance company. They must honor bodily injury and property damage coverage up to policy limits.
- Your own insurance. Your UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage may help if the drunk driver has low or no insurance.
- Bars or clubs (Dram Shop claims). In some cases, a bar or restaurant that over-served a visibly intoxicated customer may also be liable.
Because drunk driving involves reckless behavior, these cases can support higher compensation and, in some situations, punitive damages designed to punish extreme misconduct.
Our DUI and DWI accidents page explains more about how Texas law handles drunk drivers.
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics Across Texas Cities
Drunk driving is not just a Houston problem. It is a Texas-wide crisis.
According to data based on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports, in 2023 there were over 26,000 alcohol-related crashes statewide, causing more than 1,200 deaths and thousands of serious injuries. TxDOT also reports that, on average, 65 alcohol-related crashes happened every day in 2023, killing about three Texans every day in drunk driving wrecks.
Recent Texas drunk driving crash numbers by city and region:
- Greater Houston Region: In 2023, there were 4,665 alcohol-related crashes, causing 345 serious injuries and 233 fatalities.
- Dallas: In 2023, Dallas saw 3,727 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes, leading to 148 deaths and 287 serious injuries.
- San Antonio: In 2023, San Antonio had 2,347 DUI-alcohol-related crashes, with 76 fatalities and 189 serious injuries.
- Austin / Travis County: In 2023, Travis County recorded at least 48 alcohol-related driver fatalities, many tied to Austin-area drunk driving crashes.
Texas continues to rank among the worst states in the country for DUI deaths. In 2024, more than 1,000 people were killed in DUI-related crashes in Texas, averaging three deaths every day.
What does this mean for you? If you were hit by a drunk driver in Houston, you are not alone – and you are not asking for anything “extra.” You are asking for justice in a state where drunk driving is a daily threat.
What Your Houston Drunk Driving Accident Claim May Be Worth
No lawyer can promise a specific dollar amount. But in general, drunk driving cases often have higher settlement value than a typical fender-bender because juries and insurers take intoxication very seriously.
Your settlement or verdict may include:
- Medical expenses: ER visits, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future care.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity: Time off work and any long-term impact on your ability to earn a living.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, and PTSD after the crash.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and damaged items.
- Scarring, disfigurement, and disability: Long-term or permanent injuries that affect your daily life.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: When your injuries prevent hobbies, family activities, or normal routines.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme intoxication or repeat offenders, Texas law may allow extra damages to punish the driver.
We explain settlement ranges in more detail on our guides like How Much Is a Settlement for an 18 Wheeler Accident in Houston? The same principles apply in drunk driving cases: the more severe the injuries and the clearer the misconduct, the higher the potential recovery.
Read: 10 Essential Car Accident Claim Tips for Houston Victims
Who Actually Pays After a Drunk Driving Crash?
Many victims worry: “The drunk driver doesn’t look like they have money. Is it even worth pursuing a claim?” The answer is usually yes.
Here is where compensation typically comes from:
- The drunk driver’s liability insurance. Texas requires minimum bodily injury coverage, and many drivers carry higher limits.
- Your own UM/UIM coverage. If the drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured, your policy can step in.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) and MedPay. These can help with medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault.
- Dram Shop defendants. In some cases, a bar, club, or restaurant that over-served a visibly intoxicated driver can share responsibility.
The key is to identify every possible insurance policy and responsible party. That is where an experienced Houston accident lawyer makes a huge difference.
Visit our Houston car accident page to learn more about how insurance coverage works after a crash.
How The Texas Bulldog Builds and Wins Drunk Driving Cases
Drunk driving cases move fast. Evidence can disappear, witnesses move, and insurance companies start working against you almost immediately. The Texas Bulldog moves faster.
When you hire The Miller Law Firm after being hit by a drunk driver in Houston, our team:
- Launches an immediate investigation. We secure the police report, dashcam or bodycam footage, and 911 audio when available.
- Preserves critical evidence. Bar receipts, surveillance video, cell phone records, and social media posts can all help prove intoxication.
- Works with experts. Accident reconstructionists, toxicologists, and medical experts help us show exactly what happened and why it matters.
- Calculates your full damages. We look beyond today’s bills to future medical needs, lost income, and lifetime impact.
- Prepares every case for trial. Insurance companies know The Texas Bulldog is trial-ready, which often leads to stronger settlement offers.
We also bring what many big firms forget: compassion and communication. Our clients are not file numbers. They are families whose lives were wrecked by someone else’s choice.
When you work with The Texas Bulldog, you get:
- Proven experience with drunk driving and serious car accident cases.
- Hundreds of millions recovered for injured clients across Texas.
- No upfront fees – we work on a contingency fee basis.
- Access to pre-settlement legal funding when money is tight.
- A local Houston team who lives, works, and gives back in this community.
Struggling With Bills? Pre-Settlement Legal Funding Can Help
Drunk driving crashes are expensive. You may be dealing with hospital bills, time off work, and a totaled car. The insurance company knows that and may use your financial stress to push a lowball offer.
The Miller Law Firm partners with Liberty One Legal Funding so clients can access pre-settlement legal funding while we keep fighting for the full value of your claim. This is not a traditional loan. If you do not recover compensation, you do not pay the funding back.
Pre-settlement funding can help cover:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Utilities and daily living expenses
- Medical bills and prescriptions
- Transportation costs to appointments
That means you can focus on healing while The Texas Bulldog focuses on making the insurance company pay.
Common Injuries After a Drunk Driving Crash in Houston
Because drunk drivers often speed, run red lights, or drive the wrong way, these crashes can be very severe. We frequently see:
- Head and brain injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries that cause headaches, memory problems, and mood changes.
- Neck and back injuries: Herniated discs, whiplash, and spinal cord trauma.
- Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs that may not show symptoms right away.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Cuts, burns, and surgical scars.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, depression, nightmares, and fear of driving.
Even “minor” injuries can become major problems over time. That is why we work with your doctors and, when needed, medical experts to show how this crash will affect you long-term.
Big Mistakes to Avoid After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
If you were hit by a drunk driver in Houston, here are mistakes that can hurt your case:
- Accepting the first settlement offer. Early offers rarely cover long-term costs.
- Talking to the insurance adjuster without a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to get statements they can use against you.
- Posting about the crash on social media. Insurers may twist your posts to argue that you are “not that injured.”
- Skipping medical appointments. Gaps in treatment give insurers ammo to claim you recovered quickly.
- Waiting too long to call a lawyer. Evidence can vanish fast; Texas also has strict deadlines.
For more tips, read our 10 Essential Car Accident Claim Tips for Houston Victims article.
Real Client Reviews
When you’re hit by a drunk driver in Houston, you need a law firm that shows up, fights hard, and doesn’t back down. Here’s what real clients say about working with The Texas Bulldog.
“Hell of a lawyer I got paid”
— Robert E. ★★★★★
“Adam and Daniel are very thorough, caring, and make sure your case will be handled as impeccably as possible!”
— Jeffery Gordon ★★★★★
“Great customer service and very loyal to his city we love the miller law firm”
— Ingrid Q. ★★★★★
FAQs: Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston
Is a drunk driver automatically at fault in Texas?
Driving while intoxicated is a crime and strong evidence of negligence. However, insurers may still try to blame you or argue about how much their driver is responsible. That is why you need a lawyer who knows Texas negligence law and comparative fault rules.
Can I get punitive damages if I was hit by a drunk driver?
Sometimes, yes. If the driver’s conduct was especially reckless – for example, a very high BAC, racing, or a repeat DWI offender – Texas law may allow punitive damages to punish and deter similar behavior.
What if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car?
You may still have a claim. Passengers can often pursue compensation from the drunk driver’s insurance and, in some cases, other vehicles involved. Do not assume you have no case just because you knew the driver.
What if the drunk driver left the scene or was never caught?
Hit-and-run drunk driving cases are complicated but not hopeless. Your own UM/UIM coverage and other evidence may still support a strong claim. Talk with our team as soon as possible.
How long do I have to file a drunk driving injury claim in Texas?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are exceptions, so it is important to contact a lawyer quickly to protect your rights.
What if the drunk driver had no insurance?
We may pursue your UM/UIM coverage, possible Dram Shop claims, and other responsible parties. This is another reason why choosing a law firm experienced in complex cases matters.
Hit by a Drunk Driver in Houston? Call The Texas Bulldog Today
If a drunk driver turned your life upside down, you deserve a lawyer who does not back down. Adam H. Miller – The Texas Bulldog – and his team will fight for every dollar the law allows.
- No upfront fees. You pay nothing unless we win.
- Pre-settlement legal funding options to keep you afloat.
- Local Houston team that knows these roads, these courts, and these insurers.
- A track record of results for Texas accident victims.
You focus on healing. We’ll handle the drunk driver, the insurance company, and the courtroom.
Schedule Your Free Case Review with The Texas Bulldog
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