San Antonio Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Helping Injured Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in San Antonio, TX
Drunk driving is one of the most reckless and preventable causes of serious accidents in San Antonio. Every year, thousands of Texans suffer injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship because someone chose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI-related car accident, you need an experienced San Antonio drunk driving accident attorney on your side. At KRW Lawyers, we fight aggressively to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the compensation our clients deserve.
Proving Liability Against a Drunk Driver
After a crash caused by an intoxicated motorist, proving liability requires evidence that the driver was under the influence and that their impairment directly caused the accident. At KRW Lawyers, we build strong cases using:
- Police reports detailing the driver’s BAC test results and arrest records.
- Witness statements from people who saw the driver before or during the crash.
- Surveillance footage from bars, restaurants, or nearby traffic cameras.
- Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists.
In many San Antonio drunk driving cases, we also work to secure evidence quickly before it disappears, such as 911 recordings, body camera footage from officers with the San Antonio Police Department, and medical records that document the timing and severity of your injuries. Preserving this evidence early can make a significant difference in how strong your civil claim is when dealing with insurance companies and defense lawyers.
Even if the driver is acquitted in criminal court, you can still pursue a civil claim. The standard of proof in civil cases is lower (“preponderance of the evidence”), meaning you only need to show it is more likely than not that the drunk driver caused your injuries.
Our legal team pursues maximum compensation for:
- Medical bills and ongoing treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and diminished quality of life
- Property damage
- In cases of fatal crashes, wrongful death damages for surviving families
When we evaluate your losses, we look beyond your immediate hospital bills and consider the long-term impact a crash can have on your health, your ability to work, and your family life. That can include the cost of future surgeries or therapy, modifications to your home if you have mobility limitations, and the value of activities and milestones you may no longer be able to enjoy because of the collision.
Contact us today at (855) 770-4045 for a free, confidential consultation with a seasoned drunk driving accident attorney in San Antonio.
Texas Drunk Driving Laws
Texas has strict laws against driving while intoxicated (DWI). Under Texas law, a driver is legally intoxicated if:
- Their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher.
- They do not have the normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
For commercial drivers, the legal limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol is illegal. These criminal limits matter in a civil injury case because they help establish that the other driver was impaired and acting unreasonably on the road. In San Antonio, a DWI charge is often handled in Bexar County courts, and the evidence gathered for the criminal case—such as field sobriety tests and officer observations—can be used to support your claim for compensation after a serious crash.
Criminal penalties for drunk driving include fines, license suspension, mandatory classes, and even jail time. But beyond criminal consequences, victims injured by a drunk driver also have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit for damages. This is where an experienced San Antonio drunk driving accident attorney can help.
When you pursue a civil claim, the focus is not on punishing the driver but on making you as whole as possible after the collision. That can include holding the drunk driver’s insurance company accountable and, in some cases, seeking punitive damages when the conduct was especially dangerous, such as driving drunk at high speeds on I-10 or Loop 410 during heavy traffic.
New York Dram Shop & Social Host Liability
While Texas is where your accident happened, it is also useful to understand broader legal principles, including dram shop and social host liability, which can sometimes come into play.
Many states, including New York, have dram shop laws that allow victims to hold bars, restaurants, or alcohol vendors liable if they overserved a visibly intoxicated person who later caused a drunk driving crash. Similarly, social host liability laws may hold private individuals accountable for serving alcohol to minors or obviously intoxicated guests who later drive drunk.
Texas has its own version of dram shop liability under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. A business that provides alcohol can be held responsible if it:
- Served alcohol to a person who was “obviously intoxicated to the extent that they presented a clear danger to themselves or others.”
- The intoxication was a proximate cause of the damages suffered in the accident.
In a San Antonio drunk driving case, this might involve a bar on the River Walk, a restaurant along I-35, or any licensed establishment that continued serving alcohol to someone who was clearly impaired. These claims require prompt investigation to identify where the driver was drinking, secure receipts or video, and determine whether staff ignored obvious warning signs before allowing the driver to leave and get behind the wheel.
These cases can be complex, but they open another avenue for compensation. Our San Antonio drunk driving accident lawyer will evaluate whether dram shop liability applies to your case.
We also look at whether any social host may share responsibility, such as when an adult allows underage drinking at a private gathering and then lets a teen drive away. While Texas law treats social host situations differently than bars or clubs, understanding every potential source of coverage can make a real difference when medical bills and other losses are far greater than the drunk driver’s insurance limits.
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Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
What Should I Do Immediately After a Drunk Driving Accident in San Antonio?
Call 911, seek medical attention, and if possible, document the scene with photos and witness information. Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If the Drunk Driver Was Not Convicted?
Yes. Civil cases are separate from criminal proceedings. Even without a conviction, you may still prove the driver’s negligence and recover damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Waiting too long may forfeit your right to compensation.
What If the Drunk Driver Was Uninsured?
You may still recover through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, or by pursuing a dram shop claim if applicable.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire KRW Lawyers?
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win compensation for you.
Why Choose KRW Lawyers for Drunk Driving Accident Cases in San Antonio?
At KRW Lawyers, we understand how devastating drunk driving accidents can be. Our legal team combines compassionate client support with aggressive legal representation. We have the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for justice against negligent drivers, businesses, or hosts who contribute to drunk driving tragedies.
Because we are based in Texas and regularly handle cases in and around San Antonio, we are familiar with how local law enforcement, hospitals, and courts approach these collisions. That local knowledge helps us anticipate challenges, identify helpful evidence, and explain what to expect at each stage, from dealing with insurers to appearing in Bexar County civil courts if your case needs to be filed.
What To Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in San Antonio
The hours and days after a drunk driving crash can feel chaotic, especially if you are juggling medical treatment, car repairs, and calls from insurance adjusters. Taking a few key steps can protect your health and your legal rights. Getting prompt care at a local emergency room or clinic in San Antonio also creates a clear record of your injuries that can later support your claim.
After you have received emergency treatment, it is helpful to gather and keep everything related to the collision in one place. That might include the incident number from the San Antonio Police Department, contact information for witnesses, tow and repair estimates, and any letters or emails you receive from insurance companies. Organizing these documents makes it easier for our team to understand what happened and to move your case forward without delay.
It is also wise to avoid discussing fault with the other driver’s insurer or posting about the crash on social media until you have spoken with a drunk driving accident lawyer in San Antonio. Statements made in the stress of the moment can later be taken out of context and used to challenge your injuries or shift blame away from the impaired driver.
How Our Team Handles Drunk Driving Accident Cases
When you contact KRW Lawyers after a drunk driving wreck, we start by listening to your story and answering your immediate questions about medical bills, lost wages, and the claims process. From there, we can begin a thorough investigation, which may involve reviewing crash reports, speaking with witnesses, and evaluating whether any bar or restaurant may have contributed to the driver’s intoxication under Texas dram shop laws.
As your case progresses, we handle communications with insurance adjusters so you do not have to field repeated phone calls or worry about saying the wrong thing. Our goal is to build a clear picture of how the crash has affected your life, using records from your doctors in the San Antonio area and, when needed, input from outside professionals who can help explain future medical needs or the impact on your ability to work.
Throughout the process, we keep you updated in plain language and involve you in important decisions, such as whether to accept a settlement offer or move toward filing a lawsuit. If your case does need to go to court, you will know what to expect at each step, from filing in Bexar County to preparing for a possible trial.
When you work with us, you can expect:
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- Direct access to skilled attorneys
- Thorough investigation of your case
- Strong negotiation with insurance companies
- Trial-ready representation if needed
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, don’t face the legal battle alone. Contact KRW Lawyers today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyer in San Antonio. We are here to protect your rights, demand justice, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (855) 770-4045 today to speak with our team.
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