Driving While Intoxicated
DWIs (driving while intoxicated) cause some of the most horrific accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30 people die every day in this country due to accidents caused by drunk driving. In 2017 alone, there were 10,874 deaths related to drunk driving car crashes. If you have been involved in a car accident and the other driver was intoxicated, you may be eligible for monetary compensation for damages and medical expenses. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Branch & Dhillon for a free consultation and to get started back on the road to recovery.
Is a DWI Limited to Only Alcohol?
While a majority of DWI cases are related to alcohol consumption, drugs, such as marijuana, also fall into this category. Alcohol and drugs both have the ability to impair judgment and slow down muscle coordination and reaction time. All of these skills are extremely vital for drivers, as road and traffic conditions are always changing.
How Do They Test of a DWI?
Law enforcement will administer a breathalyzer test on the site of an accident or if you get pulled over for suspected drunk driving. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can also be tested by a blood test, which will show a more accurate representation of how much alcohol was in the driver’s system during the accident. DWIs are typically determined when an individual has a blood content level of .08 or higher.
A balance test and a urine test are usually performed to check if someone is under the influence of drugs either when they are pulled over for suspected DWI or after an accident. In either case, the consequences for being convicted of a DWI are steep and even steeper if the accident causes injury or death.
DWI Statistics
Nationally, according to the 2017 statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving accounts for about ⅓ of all traffic fatalities in the United States. One person was killed every 48 minutes in 2017 due to a drunk-driving crash. In 2017, 21% of men were reported drunk in car accidents and 14% were reported to be women.
DWI Statistics for Texas
In the state of Texas in 2018, as reported by the Texas Department of Transportation, 870 fatal crashes occurred due to the responsible party being under the influence of alcohol. Of these 870 fatal accidents, 58 of them were from drivers under the age of 21. Eight-hundred-nine of these accidents were caused by drivers under the influence who were over the age of 21. The most common age of drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs that were involved in an accident were those ages 21-25 with 190 accidents.
Here is the break down of the severity of drunk-driving car accidents in the state of Texas in 2018:
- 870 fatal crashes, which accounted for 6.02% of all fatal crashes
- 715 serious injury crashes. which accounted for 9.22% of all total crashes
- 1,319 non-serious injury crashes, which accounted for 17% of all total crashes
- 1,043 property damage accidents, which accounted for 13.44% of all total accidents
The five cities in the DFW area that saw the most drunk driving accidents are as follows:
- Arlington: 470
- Dallas: 1,239
- Fort Worth: 507
- Grand Prairie: 185
- Plano: 262
Consequences for DWI Conviction
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious crime in the United States. Commonly, drunk driving that results in an accident carries with it hefty fees, jail time, and driver license revocation. Each individual state handles the consequences for drunk driving a little differently, but one thing remains the same: drunk driving is treated seriously, even for first-time offenders.
Consequences for DWI in the State of Texas
The state of Texas bases its minimum and maximum fees and jail time based on how many prior DWI convictions you have on your record. Consequences increase with the number of DWI convictions. Here are the possible consequences one can face if charged with a DWI in the state of Texas:
- First offense for a DUI can result in 3 days to 6 months of jail time with a fine up to $2,000. Jail time and the fine amount increases if the driver was found to have a BAC of .15% or more.
- Second-time offenders can find themselves facing 30 days to 1 year in jail with a $4,000 fine.
- For third time offenders or more, the jail time can be set between 2-10 years along with a $10,000 fine.
DUI convicts may also have their license suspended. The amount of time their license will remain suspended is dependent on how many times they have been convicted of a DWI. The suspension periods are as follows:
- First offenders can expect their license to be suspended for 90 days to 1 year
- Second-time offenders can expect their license to be suspended for 180 days to 2 years
- Third-time offenders or more can find their license being suspended for 180 days to 2 years
While their license may be suspended, depending on the convicted party’s circumstances, an “occupational license” may be granted for driving to and from important time commitments, such as work, school, or doctor’s appointments.
DWI Accident Attorneys
Even if an individual is convicted of a DUI by the court system, victims must still file a civil lawsuit against the party in order to gain compensation. Injuries, wrongful death, and property damage can completely derail one’s life and make the road of recovery seem impossible. You shouldn’t have to face the cost of recovery alone. Contact Branch & Dhillon, P.C. to join with a professional team of personal injury attorneys who put your best interests first. We provide free consultations and a no-win, no-fee policy. Branch & Dhillon’s team is dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve for you and your family.