Texans love going to football games and attending parties before games. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to a small gathering in the stadium parking lot or hosting friends and family at your home, alcohol will probably be involved. Unfortunately, too much celebrating raises the number of drunk drivers on the road. In Lubbock, Texas, football season is especially popular with fans of Texas Tech. Supporting your favorite football team is fun, but drunk driving can ruin lives. It is important to know what to do if you have been hurt by a drunk driver.

How bad is drunk driving in Lubbock?

Football games can last for several hours, which gives fans enough time to drink too much. Drunk driving has become a serious problem in the state of Texas throughout the year. According to The State of Texas Department of Transportation, approximately 1,000 Texans lost their lives in a DUI-related car accident in 2017. In Lubbock, 9 people were killed in drunk driving accidents that year. That may seem to some like a small number, but one death is too many.

To help prevent drunk driving during football season, TxDOT has created a program called Plan While You Can. This encourages football fans to arrange for alternative transportation plans for the game if they’re planning to drink. The initiative also focuses on other times where drunk driving might be common, like the holidays.

Avoiding drunk driving accidents

It’s important to remember that you should not fear attending a tailgate party or football game in Lubbock. There are precautionary measures that you can take to stay safe. First, leave the game early, especially if the outcome is clear. Leaving a few minutes early will help you beat the rush of traffic on the roads and lower your chances of encountering a drunk driver. Try to stay in the right lane at all times, because most drunk driving accidents occur when the driver drifts out of their lane. This will lower the risk of being sideswiped or involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in an oncoming lane.

What are your legal rights after a drunk driving accident?

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime that often comes with severe penalties. The goal of criminal prosecution is taking drunk drivers off the road, because many DUIs result in gruesome injuries or death. Those left behind have to pick up the pieces as medical and other bills begin to pile up. This is why you can seek criminal prosecution, an insurance claim, and personal injury claims.

Dealing with insurance companies

Insurance companies are known for being difficult to deal with after car accidents. You cannot expect them to fairly assist with your financial losses. The lone negotiation point in your favor is the drunk driver getting a DUI conviction. Insurance providers tend to settle claims faster if they are representing someone with a criminal driving history.

You should not speak to an insurance company without a Lubbock personal injury attorney. They will often try to push you into settling for a lower offer than you deserve, even if you were seriously injured. Attorneys know how to talk to insurance companies and present your case in court if they will not offer fair compensation.

Determining liability in a Lubbock drunk driving accident

It seems obvious that a drunk driver would be the only liable party in an car accident. But, there could be other parties involved that could be responsible. Texas has laws that hold businesses liable for drunk driving accidents too. The entities that could fall under this jurisdiction include bars, restaurants, and other locations that serve alcohol. If someone is drunk and they allow that person to keep drinking, they become responsible. It’s the businesses’ duty to stop serving any individual who poses a threat to others.

In determining who is liable for the injuries and damages in a drunk driving accident, the state of Texas uses comparative negligence law. This awards a percentage of blame to multiple parties involved in the case or lawsuit. The amount of the settlement will be based off the percentage assigned to each party. If the victim is ruled to be partially responsible, a percentage of fault will be assigned to them as well. That percentage could reduce the final agreed settlement offer.

Do you need help after a drunk driving accident in Lubbock?

An experienced personal injury attorney will help you get compensation for the pain caused by a Drunk Driving Accident. The damages may include:

• hospital bills
• continuing medical care
• lost wages
• car repair bills
• pain and suffering
• and more

If you have been in a Drunk Driving Accident, contact Dean Boyd for information on how we can help with your claim. You can reach us at (806) 242-3333 or Contact Us by email to learn more about our Services. You can also visit our offices at 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas or 4423 SW 45th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas for more information.