Collinsville DWI Accident Attorneys

Drunk drivers are a real and present danger for motorists across Texas. When an impaired driver causes a wreck, the victims of the accident may be left to pick up the pieces on their own. However, by filing a personal injury claim, a car accident victim can recover payment from the driver at-fault—and evidence of intoxication can serve as powerful evidence. A Collinsville, TX DWI accident lawyer can guide you through the steps of filing a claim.

At Burress Injury Law, we are strong believers in justice, which means we seek maximum payment for victims of drunk driving accidents. In the history of our firm, we have earned over half a billion dollars in compensation, so you can trust that your case will be handled by a team of seasoned attorneys.

Firm History

Burress Injury Law has represented people injured by drunk drivers since 2008, and our multiple locations allow our attorneys to serve clients in Collinsville, Sherman, Denison, and across North Texas. These wrecks are different from ordinary collisions because the harm began with a choice someone made before they ever started the engine, and our attorneys treat that fact as central to the case.

Clients often come to us while a criminal case is still moving through the system, an insurance adjuster is already calling, and the medical bills keep growing. We handle the civil claim from start to finish, which includes investigating the night of the wreck, identifying every source of insurance, and documenting what the injuries have cost. Insurers know which firms are ready to try a case, and our readiness to do that shapes how they negotiate.

Head-On Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers

Head-on accidents involving drunk drivers are among the deadliest wrecks on Texas roads, since the force of two vehicles meeting at speed leaves little room for survival. Alcohol slows reaction time, blurs judgment, and makes it hard to stay in a lane, and an impaired driver may drift across a centerline without ever noticing.

Rural highways like US 377 and the two-lane roads around Collinsville add to the danger. Speeds are high, lighting is limited, and a driver who wanders into the opposite lane leaves oncoming traffic only seconds to react. Wrong-way driving on divided roads is another pattern, often late at night when an impaired driver turns onto a ramp in the wrong direction.

Proof in these cases comes from several sources. Skid marks and vehicle damage show how the collision happened, toxicology results reveal the driver’s blood alcohol level, and receipts or video may show where the driver was drinking. Survivors often have severe injuries, and when a loved one dies, the family may also have a wrongful death claim.

Rear-End DWI Accidents

Rear-end DWI accidents happen when an impaired driver fails to notice slowing traffic, brakes too late, or never brakes at all. The results can be severe, even at moderate speeds, since a driver who is not reacting may hit another vehicle at full speed.

The injuries in these wrecks are often back, neck, and head injuries, including herniated discs, whiplash, and concussions. Symptoms may not appear for days, and some people try to wait it out when they should have been seen right away. A medical evaluation soon after the wreck both protects health and ties the injuries to the collision in writing.

Rear-end claims are usually straightforward on fault, since the trailing driver is generally presumed responsible. A drunk driver’s insurer may still dispute the extent of the injuries or argue that a prior condition caused the pain. Medical records, imaging, and testimony from treating doctors help answer those arguments.

What Happens When a Drunk Driver Runs a Red Light?

When a drunk driver runs a red light, the wreck usually involves a vehicle entering an intersection with no right of way, often at speed and without braking. Drivers with the green light have no reason to expect danger and little time to respond, so the collision often strikes the side of a car, where occupants have the least protection.

Fault can be shown through traffic signal timing, nearby business and traffic cameras, witness accounts, and the position of the vehicles after impact. Because the driver was impaired, the claim may also reach other parties. A bar or restaurant that served an obviously intoxicated person may be liable under Texas dram shop law, and that can add a source of recovery when the driver has little insurance.

An impaired driver’s insurer will sometimes try to place some blame on the other motorist, claiming the light was yellow or that the other driver was speeding. Texas allows recovery as long as an injured person is 50 percent or less at fault, so preserving camera footage and witness information quickly is important.

Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Accidents in Collinsville, Texas