Can a Drunk Driver Face Civil and Criminal Charges?

Whenever there is an intoxicated driver involved in a car injury case, there are both criminal and civil aspects that should be explored and coordinated to obtain the best result for a plaintiff. When an intoxicated driver causes a wreck and harms somebody, there will often be a criminal prosecution of the driver as well as a civil action based on the injuries that they caused to the other party.

While coordinating criminal and civil actions can be difficult, better evidence can be developed with the right communication between the civil attorney and the district attorney. The reason better evidence can be developed is that the district attorney has an ability to subpoena that the civil attorney often does not have access to before a lawsuit is filed. In addition, a criminal district attorney also needs the civil attorney’s cooperation to help develop the damage and witnesses. In these cases, they can use that mutual need to develop the case together.

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Understanding the Evidence

DWI civil cases are also unique from other claims because the types of evidence that arises often require a special understanding in order to prepare and try the case. In order to determine the defendant’s BAC levels, there is often a breathalyzer test or a blood sample involved. It is critical that an experienced McKinney drunk driver crash attorney understands the science behinds these testing methods and how to coordinate with the appropriate expert witnesses to help communicate to the jury how intoxicated the driver at fault was. An average individual may not understand how extreme the difference is between a BAC of .08% and .20%, and will need an explanation from an expert witness to fully comprehend it.

Establishing Liability

In some drunk driving civil cases, an attorney may be able to hold a bar or restaurant partially accountable for the actions of the intoxicated driver. These are known as dram shop cases. The more inebriated a driver was behind the wheel, the more likely a jury will hold a bar at least partially responsible for over-serving that individual. If the driver’s BAC level was particularly egregious, that may merit an additional action to be taken against the bar’s owners as well.

What are Common Factors Associated with Accidents?

McKinney has historically been a dry area, meaning that each individual city within the county votes whether they are going to be wet or damp. Damp means that the businesses in the city can sell beer and wine but not hard liquor. Wet means that hard liquor can be sold in the city. Many of the cities in the area are now damp or wet, however, they used to mostly be dry. Ironically, having dry and damp cities contribute to more people drinking and driving because they cannot get alcohol or the type of alcohol they want in their local area. Therefore, people have to drive to get it and many times they drive to buy it after they have already been drinking. Many times, drunk driving accidents happen because people are driving to get their alcohol in another city. No matter the case, an intoxicated driver collision lawyer in McKinney could help you seek monetary damages for your losses.

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Call a McKinney Drunk Driver Accident Attorney Today

If you wish to pursue compensation for damages caused by an intoxicated driver, know that a McKinney drunk driver accident lawyer could stand by your side every step of the way. By gathering evidence, coordinating with the district attorney, and obtaining witness testimony, a skilled legal professional could help establish liability of the party at fault. Reach out today to get started on your case.

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Get The Help You Need Contact McCraw Law Group

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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