Drunk Driving Tears Apart Texas Families

According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there are over 100 people killed in alcohol-related accidents in Harris County. Texas roads are often traveled by intoxicated drivers who are responsible for causing catastrophic accidents, and the drunk driving epidemic is tearing apart families across the state. When such a tragedy takes place, it can be difficult to focus on lawsuits and Houston wrongful death attorneys because no amount of compensation can ever bring back a loved one. 

How Is a Wrongful Death Case Different from a Criminal Case?

When a drunk driver causes a collision resulting in death, both a criminal and civil case will ensue: a wrongful death and survival action. In Texas, drunk drivers are prosecuted by the state when they cause a death on the road. There are many crims that an intoxicated driver can be charged with, and the county’s district attorney will usually decide which of the crimes they will pursue. 

The primary difference between the criminal and civil cases is the end result and who is pursuing the case. In a criminal case, the state is seeking jail time for the perpetrator, while in a  wrongful death case or survival action, attorneys for the family are fighting for compensation to relieve the financial damages experienced by losing a loved one. 

In a Drunk Driver Case: What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Case and a Survival Action?

Understanding the difference between these types of cases is crucial so that families of the deceased know who is able to bring a lawsuit for the loss of a loved one. After discussing the case with a Texas personal injury attorney, the family of the victim killed by the drunk driver should know the fundamental differences between a wrongful death case and a survival action and what can be claimed. 

The primary difference between these two types of cases is that in a wrongful death there are certain family members who are able to file a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver. The survival action is the lawsuit that would have belonged to the deceased victim if he or she had survived the collision. Essentially, the survival action will need to be filed on behalf of the deceased party the representative of his or her estate. 

Drunk Driving Crashes in Houston

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 10,497 deaths resulting from drunk driving collisions across the country in 2016, accounting for roughly 28% of traffic fatalities that year. An average of 30 people are killed daily by drunk drivers nationwide, an average of one death every 50 minutes. 

In most cases, Texas car crash victims are injured by reckless or negligent drivers, and the responsible party can be made to cover the damages resulting from the collision. For over a decade, Connolly Law has helped car crash victims obtain the compensation they deserve. Our qualified Houston car crash attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected under the law. Contact our offices today at 877-CONNLAW to discuss your case today.