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May 1, 2025
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How Can Witness Testimony Impact Your Car Accident Claim?
One of the biggest issues in any car accident claim is assigning fault. Whose fault was the accident primarily, and if several people were at fau
view articleSERIOUS CASES. EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
The burden of proof in criminal cases is “beyond a reasonable doubt,” meaning the prosecutor must prove guilt to a high standard.
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:
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.
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
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.
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We have helped thousands of people get the compensation they deserve. Let us help you and your loved ones. Schedule a free consultation today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Skilled, battle-tested, and respected—our attorneys bring grit, experience, and real results when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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