Texas takes the crime of driving while drunk seriously and seeks the harshest punishments for people who do it, including minors. Still, some motorists, including those under the legal drinking age, take their chances and cause life-threatening accidents. They must be held accountable, especially when their reckless actions hurt others.
If you or a loved one is recovering from a McAllen, Texas, drunk driving crash involving an underage driver, a McAllen car accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins will demand your damages. If an insurer denies you financial compensation because its policyholder was driving under the influence, we will take them on for you and seek the recovery you deserve. Call us today for a free, no-risk consultation to learn how our McAllen DUI car accident lawyer can help you.
We Can Lead Your McAllen, TX, DUI Car Accident Case at No Upfront Cost
Our McAllen, Texas, legal team works on a contingency fee basis. This means we pay all the costs of your case and do not charge upfront fees to represent you. Auto accident victims have enough expenses to deal with after a collision; we don’t want to add more.
We can accept your case and work on it at no cost and only receive a payment if you win. If we recover your compensation, it will come from part of your settlement or a court-ordered award. If you want legal help that protects your rights and interests and always puts you first, we are ready to take up your fight against a negligent driver.
We Will Do Everything It Takes to Fight for You and Your Family’s Recovery
The McAllen DUI car accident attorneys will handle your entire case from start to finish. The legal strategy we develop will set out to prove the underage driver and others are liable for the accident and how much they should compensate you for. Many personal injury cases have been settled out of court. But if we must go to trial, we will. We will listen intently as you explain what happened to ensure we know your perspective.
We also will:
- Investigate the accident in McAllen to determine what happened and how
- Gather case-supporting evidence (e.g., a police report, your medical records, witness accounts, expert witness testimony, photos and video footage of the crash scene)
- Identify all liable parties who owe you damages (e.g., the underage’s parents or guardians, a bar or restaurant that knowingly served alcohol to a patron younger than 21, the legal drinking age)
- Review and assess your economic and non-economic damages
- Manage communications with all involved parties
- Lead settlement talks with the insurance company
- Prepare and file your DUI car accident lawsuit
- Represent you at trial if necessary
800-285-HURT (4878)Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
We Will Demand Full Damages for the DUI Crash in McAllen, TX
You deserve to hire a personal injury attorney who is serious about your recovery and dedicated to getting you the maximum amount. We handle each case on an individual basis and seek recoverable losses based on the case’s facts, details, evidence, and circumstances.
When our McAllen DUI car accident attorney meets with you, they will consider every loss and assign a dollar amount to your compensation case. Damages that are common in these cases include:
- Medical expenses (including emergency care, surgeries, inpatient hospital stays)
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income, including tips, bonuses, etc.
- Lost future earning ability
- Property damage (including car repair or replacement)
- Pain and suffering (physical and mental)
- Impaired quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Post-traumatic stress distress
- Other accident-related losses
Punitive Damages
Our McAllen DUI attorney can determine if you can recover punitive damages for a drunk driving accident. In court, plaintiffs who seek these awards must prove extreme negligence caused the accident and their injuries. Juries rarely award punitive damages, but they could. If this is a possible option in your case, we will let you know.
Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one to a fatal DUI accident in McAllen, please accept our deepest sympathies. We are sorry for your loss and want to help you hold the liable party accountable. Sudden deaths can bring financial hardship to families, so receiving monetary awards can help. Parties who recover wrongful death damages can receive compensation for their relative’s:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Accident-related medical expenses
- Lost household income
- Survivors’ emotional pain, mental anguish
- Other related losses
DUI and DWI Are Different Offenses in Texas
In Texas, drivers under the legal drinking age of 21 break the law when they operate a motor vehicle with any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems. They can be charged with a driving under the influence (DUI) offense if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is above 0.00. The 0.08% BAC limit does not apply to people younger than 21.
The DUI charge applies only to minors and people aged 17-20 who are under the legal drinking age. However, they can still be charged as adults with a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense, as the Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division explains.
It’s also important to note that you can pursue civil damages against a drunk driver, regardless of whether they face criminal charges in the accident. Criminal cases and civil cases are separate legal proceedings. Our DUI lawyers can explain differences as they apply to your case during your free consultation. Call us today to get started.
800-285-HURT (4878)Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Start Now–Your McAllen DUI Car Accident Lawsuit Has a Filing Deadline
A lot happens after getting hurt in an accident, and time seemingly flies when there are doctor’s appointments, medical procedures, and other things to take care of. Still, injured parties who want to sue for damages must file their lawsuits by a certain time.
Texas generally gives them two years from the accident date or the decedent’s death date to pursue damages in civil court, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. A McAllen DUI car accident lawyer with Loncar Lyon Jenkins will file your lawsuit by this deadline and take care of other important legal paperwork for you.
Call in the Strong Arm to Fight for You After a McAllen, TX, DUI Crash
Any driver who gets behind the wheel of a car or another motor vehicle has a duty of care to uphold. It doesn’t matter if the driver is 16 or 60. Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins today if an underage driver hurt you or your loved one in a DUI car accident in McAllen, TX.
During a free consultation, you can learn how our auto accident lawyers can protect you against low-ball settlement offers from insurers who care about their bottom line, not your financial recovery, after a devastating accident with an intoxicated underage driver. We will go after all your damages, not just your medical bills. Contact us today to get started.