DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYER AUSTIN TX
Being injured by a drunk driver in Austin — on 6th Street, I-35, or anywhere in Travis County — entitles you to more than just compensation for your injuries. Texas law allows punitive damages against drunk drivers, significantly increasing total recovery. Our Austin drunk driving accident attorneys pursue every dollar available.
What We Can Do For You
Medical expensesFull current and future medical costs from crash injuries
Lost wagesIncome lost during recovery and any permanent earning reduction
Pain and sufferingPhysical and emotional trauma — heightened by the preventable nature of the crash
Punitive damagesTexas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 41.003 allows punitive damages against drunk drivers — can significantly multiply total recovery
Dram shop liabilityIf alcohol was served to a visibly intoxicated person, the bar or restaurant may also be liable under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 2.02
Wrongful death damagesFull wrongful death package when a drunk driver causes a fatality
Key Information
1
6th Street Entertainment District
The highest concentration of drunk driving departures in Austin — Friday and Saturday night enforcement is heavy but accidents still occur.
2
Rainey Street / Red River
Late-night bar districts with high drunk driving accident rates in the early morning hours.
3
I-35 and MoPac
DUI crashes on Austin highways cause the most serious injuries — high-speed impacts with no margin for error.
4
South Congress
SoCo bar and restaurant strip generates DUI accidents throughout the week.
5
US-183 / Research Blvd
Domain and Arboretum area entertainment venues create DUI departure patterns on this high-speed arterial.
What You Should Know
The criminal case and civil case are separate — a DUI conviction is powerful evidence but not required for civil recovery
Request the arrest report, blood test results, and body camera footage from APD through your attorney
Investigate dram shop liability — was the driver served while visibly intoxicated at an Austin bar?
Document all damages immediately — photographs, medical records, and impact statements
Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of gross negligence — the DUI itself is often sufficient
Act quickly — evidence of intoxication (blood test, witnesses, scene conditions) is time-sensitive
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get punitive damages if a drunk driver hit me in Texas?▾
Yes. Texas allows exemplary (punitive) damages when the defendant acted with gross negligence — and driving drunk is typically sufficient evidence. These damages are separate from and in addition to your actual damages.
What is dram shop liability in Texas?▾
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 2.02 allows injured parties to sue bars, restaurants, and other alcohol sellers who served a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident. This can add significant recovery beyond the drunk driver's insurance limits.
Does the drunk driver need to be convicted for me to win my civil case?▾
No. The civil standard is preponderance of evidence (more likely than not) — much lower than the criminal beyond a reasonable doubt standard. Many civil drunk driving cases succeed even when criminal charges are reduced or dismissed.
What if the drunk driver had minimum insurance limits?▾
Dram shop claims, your own UM/UIM coverage, umbrella policies, and the driver's personal assets can provide additional recovery beyond policy limits.
How soon after the crash should I contact an attorney?▾
Immediately. Blood alcohol evidence is time-sensitive. Surveillance footage at bars is often overwritten within days. Dram shop investigation requires quick action to preserve evidence.
Is it common for DUI crashes to result in punitive damages?▾
Punitive damages are awarded in a significant portion of drunk driving injury cases in Texas. Courts and juries view drunk driving as the paradigmatic case of gross negligence — exactly what punitive damages are designed to deter.