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Being hit by a drunk driver is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can endure. These crashes are not just physically damaging—they’re emotionally overwhelming, financially devastating, and deeply unjust. When someone makes the reckless decision to drive under the influence, they put everyone around them at risk. And for those left injured in the aftermath, the road to recovery is often long, painful, and filled with questions.
Drunk driving crashes are different from ordinary traffic accidents. They’re more violent, more unpredictable, and more likely to result in serious or fatal injuries. Victims may suffer from broken bones, brain trauma, or spinal cord injuries that change the course of their lives. Others are left to mourn the sudden loss of a loved one due to another driver’s selfish and preventable choices.
At Johnson Garcia, we help DUI crash victims take legal action against the individuals and entities responsible for these tragedies. We know how to investigate impaired driving collisions, pursue compensation aggressively, and hold reckless drivers accountable. If you or your family has been impacted by a drunk driver in Houston, we’re here to help you seek justice and move forward with confidence.
Call us today at 832-844-6700 for a free case evaluation with an experienced Houston work injury lawyer.
Not every law firm is built for the challenges of a DUI injury case. These claims are complex, high-stakes, and emotionally charged. They demand a team that is not only experienced in personal injury law—but also fully prepared to go to trial if the insurance company refuses to take responsibility. That’s what sets us apart.
We bring more than 35 years of legal experience to every case we handle. From the moment you contact us, we prepare your case with the same strategy we’d use in a courtroom. That means gathering evidence early, consulting the right experts, and anticipating every defense the other side might raise.
Our firm was founded on the belief that preparation is power. We treat every case like it’s going to trial, even if it eventually settles. That gives us—and our clients—an edge when negotiating with insurance companies who often try to minimize DUI injury claims.
We’re not interested in lowball offers or quick settlements that fail to reflect the full scope of your injuries. If the drunk driver’s insurer won’t take your case seriously, we’re ready to file suit and make our case in front of a jury.
DUI crashes frequently result in devastating injuries: brain damage, spinal trauma, severe burns, and complex fractures that require long-term care. We understand the medical, financial, and emotional toll these injuries take. We work with physicians, life care planners, and vocational experts to document your needs—both now and in the future—and build a claim that reflects the full impact of what you’ve lost.
Before founding Johnson Garcia, we spent years representing insurance companies and large corporations. That background matters. We know how the other side thinks—what they look for in a case, what they fear in a courtroom, and where they cut corners when evaluating serious claims.
Today, we use that knowledge on behalf of the injured. We know how to expose weak defenses, push back against delay tactics, and challenge bad-faith settlement offers. And we do it while keeping you informed, supported, and in control of your case.
Drunk driving crashes are among the most violent and destructive collisions we see. Unlike distracted or fatigued drivers—who may at least attempt to brake or swerve—intoxicated drivers often don’t react at all before impact. The result is full-speed, unmitigated crashes that cause life-altering injuries or death.
Drunk drivers have impaired judgment, slower reflexes, and limited motor coordination. They tend to speed, miss traffic signals, and make erratic lane changes. Many don’t realize they’re approaching an intersection, a stopped vehicle, or a pedestrian until it’s too late.
These crashes often occur at full speed, with no attempt to stop or reduce impact. Victims may be struck head-on, broadsided at an intersection, or rear-ended by a vehicle traveling 20 to 30 miles over the limit. The physical forces involved in these collisions magnify the severity of injuries and increase the risk of long-term or permanent disability.
Victims of drunk driving crashes frequently suffer:
In many cases, these injuries are not survivable. For families who have lost a loved one in a DUI crash, the emotional and financial toll is immeasurable.
Beyond the physical damage, there’s the trauma. Many victims struggle with post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression after the crash. Nightmares, flashbacks, and a fear of driving are common. These emotional injuries deserve recognition and compensation just as much as physical harm.
We make sure your pain is not ignored. We present the full scope of your suffering—physical, emotional, and financial—so the legal system reflects the true cost of what was taken from you.
Despite ongoing efforts from law enforcement, advocacy groups, and community organizations, drunk driving remains a widespread problem across Houston. Every year, hundreds of people are injured or killed in alcohol-related crashes within the city—and those numbers don’t appear to be dropping fast enough.
According to state and local data, Harris County consistently reports some of the highest rates of drunk driving crashes in Texas. Key statistics show:
These crashes don’t just happen in rural areas or isolated roadways. They happen in the heart of Houston—on highways, in neighborhoods, and near bars, restaurants, and event venues.
Certain areas see more DUI-related incidents than others, including:
Drunk driving can happen anywhere, but it’s especially dangerous in areas where traffic is heavy and reaction time matters most. Pedestrians, cyclists, and rideshare passengers are also at higher risk in these environments.
While first-time offenders cause harm, many DUI crashes involve repeat offenders—people who’ve already been arrested or convicted and continue to drive impaired. In some cases, these individuals are driving without a license, without insurance, or in violation of court orders.
This cycle of behavior puts others in danger and exposes weaknesses in the system. It’s why civil claims are so important. While the criminal justice system focuses on punishment, we focus on compensation and accountability. Civil lawsuits give victims a path to recover what they’ve lost—and force drunk drivers to answer for their actions in a meaningful way.
When a drunk driver causes a crash, the legal system responds in two separate—but equally important—ways. The first is through the criminal justice system, where the state prosecutes the driver for violating the law. The second is through the civil system, where the victim has the right to seek compensation for their injuries and losses.
Criminal DUI cases are handled by the district attorney’s office. The goal of the criminal process is to punish the drunk driver and deter future offenses. Penalties may include jail time, probation, fines, mandatory alcohol education, and license suspension. In cases involving serious injury or death, felony charges may apply.
While a conviction may feel like justice, criminal proceedings rarely provide compensation to victims. Restitution may be ordered in some cases, but it often falls short of covering medical bills, lost wages, or long-term care needs.
A civil lawsuit is entirely separate from the criminal case. In a civil claim, you are the plaintiff, and you bring the case against the drunk driver and any other responsible parties. The purpose is to hold them financially accountable for the harm they caused.
You don’t need a criminal conviction to file or win a civil case. In fact, many DUI injury claims proceed successfully even when the criminal case is dismissed or results in a plea deal. That’s because the standard of proof is different. Criminal prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil court, we only need to prove negligence by a preponderance of the evidence.
We handle the civil side. We work to recover the full scope of your damages—medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages—so you have the resources needed to heal and rebuild.
Most DUI crash claims focus on the impaired driver. But in some cases, other parties may share legal responsibility for the crash. By identifying all sources of liability, we can pursue a more complete and effective recovery for our clients.
Texas law includes a provision known as the Dram Shop Act, which allows injury victims to sue bars, clubs, and restaurants that over-serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons. If a business continues serving someone who is clearly impaired—and that person later causes a crash—the establishment may be held partially liable.
To bring a successful dram shop claim, we must show that:
These cases require a careful investigation into the driver’s behavior, bar receipts, witness accounts, and sometimes security footage. We have the tools to pursue these claims when the evidence supports it.
If the drunk driver was operating a vehicle they did not own, the vehicle’s owner may also be held liable under a legal theory called negligent entrustment. This applies when the owner knowingly allows someone who is unfit to drive—due to intoxication, a suspended license, or a history of reckless driving—to use their car.
For example, if a person lends their vehicle to a friend they know is drunk, and that friend causes a crash, the owner may be held financially responsible for enabling the incident. These cases often involve detailed fact-gathering and close examination of the driver-owner relationship.
In cases where the drunk driver was operating a company vehicle or driving for work purposes, the employer may also bear liability. If the employer failed to conduct proper background checks, ignored prior DUI history, or failed to monitor alcohol use among employees, they may be exposed to direct liability under Texas law.
In any personal injury case, evidence is critical. But in a DUI crash, evidence plays an especially important role—not just in proving fault, but in showing the degree of recklessness that may justify punitive damages.
We move quickly to collect and preserve all relevant evidence. The sooner we begin, the more likely we are to secure critical details before they disappear.
Some of this evidence—like surveillance footage or dashcam recordings—may be lost within days or weeks if not requested promptly. We act immediately to secure these materials, send preservation letters, and begin building your case with a solid foundation.
Drunk driving crashes often involve more severe injuries than other types of accidents. Because impaired drivers tend to speed, miss red lights, and react slowly—or not at all—the force of impact is often much greater.
TBIs are among the most serious injuries we see in DUI crashes. They occur when the brain is violently shaken or struck, often due to a direct blow to the head or whiplash during a sudden impact. Symptoms can range from memory loss and cognitive difficulties to mood changes, balance problems, and long-term disability.
High-impact collisions can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Victims may require lifelong care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications to live independently.
Severe crashes often cause broken ribs, arms, legs, and hips. Some fractures require surgery, hardware placement, or months of physical therapy to regain function. In some cases, the injury never fully heals.
Blunt force trauma can rupture organs or blood vessels inside the body. These injuries are not always visible right away, which is why immediate medical evaluation is essential. If left untreated, internal bleeding can quickly become life-threatening.
In particularly violent crashes—such as rollovers, head-on collisions, or car fires—victims may suffer catastrophic injuries that require amputation or cause severe burns. These injuries affect every aspect of daily life and often require multiple surgeries, prosthetics, or long-term rehabilitation.
In Texas, the civil legal system allows for punitive damages—also known as “exemplary damages”—in cases where the defendant’s behavior goes beyond negligence and into the realm of recklessness or gross misconduct. DUI cases often meet this threshold.
Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim for a specific loss. Instead, they serve two purposes:
In a DUI injury claim, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to compensatory damages like medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
To qualify for punitive damages under Texas law, we must show:
Operating a vehicle while severely intoxicated—especially at high speeds, in a school zone, or after a prior DUI—can satisfy this legal standard.
We gather the evidence needed to meet this burden, including the driver’s BAC, criminal history, behavior at the scene, and other aggravating factors. If the facts support it, we pursue punitive damages as part of your overall recovery strategy.
The physical injuries caused by a drunk driving crash are often obvious. But the emotional and psychological consequences can be just as damaging—sometimes even more so. Victims are left not only with trauma from the accident itself, but with the lasting anxiety, fear, and disruption that follow. These effects may not show up on an X-ray, but they’re real. And in a personal injury claim, they deserve full recognition.
Many victims of DUI crashes develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks, panic attacks, and recurring nightmares are common, particularly when the crash was violent or fatal. Victims may avoid driving altogether, change their routines, or feel unsafe even as passengers.
Some individuals become hypersensitive to noise, motion, or certain intersections. These reactions affect their ability to work, parent, or maintain relationships. In severe cases, they may require long-term therapy or medication to manage the psychological impact.
Even when PTSD doesn’t develop, many victims experience heightened anxiety, depression, or emotional instability after a drunk driving crash. That’s especially true for those with long recovery periods, permanent injuries, or visible scarring.
Some begin to feel isolated, frustrated, or emotionally withdrawn. Others face loss of independence or identity—especially if they can no longer do the things they once loved. These emotional injuries are often intertwined with physical recovery and can extend long after the body has healed.
Families suffer too. Spouses, children, and caretakers may experience emotional strain as they adjust to new responsibilities or cope with a loved one’s suffering. The loss of intimacy, companionship, and shared routines can create tension or distance within families.
Under Texas law, these non-economic damages are compensable. We work closely with mental health professionals, counselors, and family members to fully document the emotional toll of the crash and present it as part of your claim.
The aftermath of a DUI crash is chaotic and frightening. You may be in pain, disoriented, or unsure what steps to take. But the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can affect your safety—and your legal rights.
Always call 911 after a crash involving injury, significant damage, or suspected intoxication. A police report is essential in a DUI case, and the responding officers can begin assessing the other driver for signs of impairment right away. That may include a field sobriety test, breathalyzer, or other chemical testing.
Even if you feel okay, get evaluated by paramedics at the scene or visit a medical provider the same day. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, aren’t immediately visible.
If you’re physically able, take photos of:
Also, get names and contact information for any witnesses. Their accounts may help confirm that the other driver was impaired, speeding, or acting erratically before the crash.
Shortly after the crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may reach out to you. They may ask for a recorded statement or encourage you to “just tell your side of the story.” Do not engage with them. These calls are designed to collect information that can be used to minimize your claim or suggest shared fault.
Instead, contact an attorney immediately. We’ll handle all communication with insurers, protect your rights, and make sure you don’t say anything that could be misinterpreted or used against you.
We take DUI cases seriously—and we don’t wait for the system to do the work for us. From the moment you hire us, we begin an aggressive, fact-driven investigation designed to uncover the truth and pursue the compensation you deserve.
We request and review:
In cases involving serious injury or death, we may also work with accident reconstruction experts, toxicologists, and medical professionals to connect the driver’s impairment with the full impact of the crash.
We don’t rely on assumptions. We build the case with hard evidence—because that’s what gets results in high-stakes litigation.
While many DUI injury cases settle out of court, we treat each one as if it’s going to trial. That approach puts us in the strongest possible position. Insurance companies know we’re not afraid to file suit—and they take our demands seriously.
If a fair offer is made, we’ll review it with you and explain your options. If not, we’re fully prepared to present your case in court and let a jury decide. Our goal is simple: secure the full compensation you need to rebuild and move forward.
If you were injured—or if someone you love was killed—by a drunk driver, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. We understand what you’re going through. And we know how to fight back.
At Johnson Garcia, we’ve spent decades representing people whose lives were upended by reckless drivers. We’ve taken on insurance companies, corporate defendants, and negligent third parties. We know how to investigate, litigate, and win.
Let us help you take the next step. Whether it’s filing a civil claim, investigating a dram shop violation, or pursuing punitive damages against a repeat offender, we’re ready to act. Your consultation is free, and there’s no pressure. Just answers, guidance, and a team you can trust.
Contact us to schedule your free case review. Let’s talk about what happened—and how we can help you move forward.
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