Serving San Antonio, El Paso, Midland, Odessa, and Laredo, Texas as well as Carlsbad & Hobbs, New Mexico.
Everyone needs someone to count on during difficult times. If you have been injured or need a San Antonio Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer, we want you to know that we are here for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Injured By a Drunk Driver in San Antonio?
According to MADD, drunk driving is the leading cause of death on our roadways. In 2013, over 28,700,000 people admitted to driving after they’d had too much to drink. That is more than the population of Texas. For too long, lawyers have had to watch family members grieve the wrongful death or permanent lifelong injury of family members. The odd thing is, quite frequently the drunk driver will walk away from auto, motorcycle, or truck accidents while their victim is injured or even killed. If you are hurt, you need help. Ornelas Law Injury firm is here for you.
Types Of Impairments
Vision – Even with one or two drinks your ability to track moving targets declines
Hearing – Hearing impairment is dangerous since they can’t hear sirens or other vehicles around them
Reaction Times – With just 3 drinks, your reaction times are already getting affected. This includes swerving or stopping a car.
Aggression – Alcohol directly contributes to a person’s aggression and negligence, not only mood but also driving style.
Judgment – At only 3 drinks you are already potentially making bad choices.
Alertness – The ability to pay attention to what lane you are in, if a child is on the road, or even if a motorcycle is passing you.
Why You Need a Drunk Driver Accident Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
You shouldn’t be afraid of the drunk driver’s insurance company. You can’t let the drunk driver’s lawyers badger you into giving up not only your rights but the money that you deserve. However, you can bet the insurance company and defense lawyers will try to bully you and push you to accept far less than your case is worth – or even nothing at all.
To avoid getting pushed around by insurance companies, you need the right legal representation. At Cesar Ornelas Injury Law, our car accident lawyers have the legal resources and experience necessary to fight your case. You need a strong lawyer on your side willing to fight. No matter where you are, that lawyer is Cesar Ornelas II.
Just What Are The Blood Alcohol Standards?
Across America, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (better known as BAC) is .08 or higher. So, if your blood alcohol level is at or above the .08 level, you are breaking the law. However, we all know that alcohol affects people differently.
BAC of .01 to .03 – Impairment is subtle, but you do still get affected. That little bit of impairment may have been the thing that the person that hit you needed to keep from hurting your family.
With a BAC of .03 to .06 – The person that was drinking starts to “feel” the alcohol. Again, while a person may have a BAC of .06 and is under the legal definition of impaired, that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t the reason they injured you.
With a BAC of .06-.10 – The person is drunk. There are obvious physical effects and impairments. Whether it is the drunk driver’s perception, distance viewing, reasoning skills, or even their ability to handle normal road glare, they shouldn’t be driving. No way, no how.
Because of the increasing effects of higher BACs, the law has set the following legal limits in Texas:
0.08 percent BAC for most drivers
0.04 percent BAC for commercial drivers
Zero tolerance for underage drivers, which means it is unlawful for drivers under 21 to have any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems
Keep in mind, however, that a driver can be impaired while under the 0.08 legal limit, so this is not always the proper threshold in an injury case.
Criminal DWI Charges vs. Civil Injury Claims
If police officers arrive at the scene of your car accident, they should assess the state of the drivers and the cause of the crash. If they suspect the other driver is impaired, they will likely arrest them, and the driver can face criminal charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Too many injured accident victims believe a criminal case will bring them justice, but this is usually not the case. Instead, you need to take separate civil action to seek compensation for all your losses.
Criminal DWI Charges
These charges are brought by the state or federal government and are aimed at punishing the individual for violating DUI laws. If convicted, the penalties can include:
Fines
License suspension
Mandatory alcohol education programs
Probation
Imprisonment
The burden of proof in criminal cases is “beyond a reasonable doubt,” meaning the prosecutor must prove guilt to a high standard.
Civil Drunk Driving Accident Claims
If a drunk driving accident causes you injuries or property damage, you can pursue insurance claims or a civil lawsuit against the intoxicated driver. These claims are filed to seek compensation for your losses, such as:
Medical expenses
Property damage
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Other compensable damages
The burden of proof in civil cases is typically lower, known as the “preponderance of the evidence,” requiring you to show that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s actions caused the harm.
These two processes are separate and can occur simultaneously. The outcome of a criminal DWI case, such as a conviction, may impact the civil drunk driving accident claim. However, even if the accused is not convicted in criminal court, they may still be held liable in civil court if the evidence supports your claims.
Speak with a San Antonio Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
At Cesar Ornelas Injury Law, we take drunk driving accidents very seriously. We know these are preventable incidents, and we seek justice for our injured clients in any way we can. Our attorneys are ready to assess your rights and represent you in an accident claim. Contact us for a free case evaluation right away.
If this person gets behind the wheel of a car, they turn that car into a weapon plain and simple. If you have been injured by a person using a deadly weapon, you would do everything in your power to get the help you deserve. Why should a drunk driver be any different?
Cesar Ornelas II Principal
Finding a Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer
If you have been in an accident, make sure to retain legal counsel as soon as possible so local attorneys near your location are your best option. Cesar Ornelas Injury Law is a dedicated personal injury law firm based at 11459 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX.
Our firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay anything upfront and instead agree to pay a prearranged percentage of your award when one is recovered. Call us at (210) 957-2103 or email us at [email protected], or contact us online to schedule a free, no-risk consultation.
What People Are Saying About Us
We have mane Five Star Reviews from happy clients on Google.
“Have been very pleased with the way the law firm has been attentive and working for me and my family. The case worker for my case, Anyssa, gives me updates without me having to ask, and moves fairly quickly. Thank yo...
Cassandra Gomez
I was recommended to use Cesar Ornelas Law by my sister in law and I’m glad I did. To start off they helped me navigate all the post-accident procedures that can be confusing. In addition my case manager Anyssa wa...
Maria H
I’m so glad Kristi referred me to this firm! She and Cassie have made the process a dream, from getting me in to physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor, to getting an MRI to see just how badly I was hurt in an aut...
Suzanne S.
Have been very pleased with the way the law firm has been attentive and working for me and my family. The case worker for my case, Anyssa, gives me updates without me having to ask, and moves fairly quickly. Thank you a...
Cassandra G.
My name is Josie fierro and I chose Mr.ornelas because is the greatest law firm, he has helped me every step of the way. And has helped me through the process of getting my settlement and he is the nicest person ever al...
Josie G.
First time using this attorney and to be honest they are one of the best people I ever spoked to through messages and don’t get me started our case manager Kristi is one of the most fun loving and so caring person I e...
Kim G.
In April of 2019 I was rear ended by a drunk driver on the highway. My car was completely wrecked from the back. I called a close friend of mine after the accident and he referred me to Cesar. From beginning to end Cesa...
Lizeth L.
Please call this law firm before you go with anyone else. I was involved on the wrong end of a car accident with no fault to my own. Feeling shaken, and after several attempts to get help, Cesar, directly answered my ph...
Kelly D.
I’ve had a very positive experience with Kristi and the rest of the team at Ornelas Law. Everyone is very informative and helpful and all my questions and concerns get answered in a timely manner.
Josh L.
I recommend Cesar Ornelas law firm to anyone seeking a great auto accident injury lawyer or any other legal help. They are on top of their cases!
Amorette B.
Great customer service! Always kept me in the loop on what was going on! I would give them more stars if I could.
Transparency is a core value for our firm. You will never be left in the dark wondering what we’re doing for you. Want to know what is happening with your case? Log in and see updates at your convenience.
We Get Results
We have helped thousands of people get the compensation they deserve. Let us help you and your loved ones. Schedule a free consultation today!
Stronger Together
We have strength in numbers and in talent. Our firm employs a team across cities in Texas and New Mexico. We have some of the best trial lawyers in their respective areas of practice.
Focus
Our motto is ‘every client, every day.’ We are laser-focused on getting you the best settlement possible while bringing justice home to you or your loved ones.
Personal Attention
Our staff is responsible for making your doctor’s appointments and sorting out insurance claims. The last thing you need to worry about is the details. We’ve got that part covered.
Transparency
Our attorneys are here to help you. We will investigate your injury and advise you about your rights to recover an injury-related settlement after an accident.
Communication
Our attorneys will communicate with you clearly and often. We are proactive about keeping you informed of your rights and responsibilities and are available 24/7 to take your call.
A Legal Team You Can Count On
Skilled, battle-tested, and respected—our attorneys bring grit, experience, and real results when it matters most.
When you schedule your free consultation with a San Antonio Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address.
If you are involved in a car accident with minor car damage or no injuries you don’t necessarily need a lawyer. However, a major accident or severe injuries can leave you vulnerable to the opposing lawyer or insurance company. Any parties from the opposing side will not have your best interest in mind. The less money they have to pay you, the more money they will get to keep. It is a good idea to have a dependable car accident lawyer on your side to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage.
Whether you are at fault or not, there are several steps you should always take immediately after you are involved in a car accident to protect yourself.
Move your vehicle and make sure you and your passengers are not in need of immediate medical attention.
Call 911 for medical attention if needed. Otherwise, call the police to the scene.
Collect the other driver’s information for future reference. This information includes their name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate and insurance information.
Be careful not to apologize or admit fault in any way. Comments at this time can be used against you later.
Report the accident to your insurance company.
Keep an eye on your physical well-being as some side effects appear after the initial trauma.
Speak with a personal injury lawyer to protect yourself from any opposing insurance companies or lawyers.
Since there are so many factors that affect the amount of your settlement there’s no set amount estimated for your situation until you pursue professional help from an attorney. A settlement with just property damage can easily make it into the thousands of dollars, and an incident involving injury can move into the tens of thousands.
