Drinking and driving, also known as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI), might be illegal in the state of Texas, but it doesn’t stop some motorists from having a few beers before getting behind the wheel.
If you’ve been hurt in a vehicle accident involving a drunk or drugged driver in Round Rock, TX, you deserve to be compensated. The driver has to be held accountable for their reckless decision. The experienced Round Rock DWI attorneys at Dow Law Firm are ready to help you fight for monetary justice.
Dow Law Firm is a top-rated Round Rock personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured. We’re award-winning Texas litigators with a multi-million dollar track record of success.
In the wake of a tragedy caused by a drunk driver, we’re here to help you take a stand and demand the life-changing financial award you deserve, too. Call us at (512) 240-9951 to get started and schedule your free consultation with a DWI lawyer in Round Rock today.
How Common Are DWIs in Round Rock, TX?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 129 car accidents involving impaired motorists were reported in Round Rock in 2024. That’s roughly one drunk driving accident every 2.8 days.
Collisions involving drunk drivers are known to be more catastrophic than other types of auto accidents. In 2024, one Round Rock drunk driving crash was fatal and resulted in one death. Another four collisions were classified as “serious” and caused at least six serious injuries.
Why Are DWIs a Leading Cause of Car Accidents and Auto Deaths in Texas?
Statistically speaking, few things are more dangerous than DWIs. Roughly 37 percent of all car accident fatalities in the state of Texas are caused by drunk drivers.
Driving while intoxicated is illegal because it’s inherently unsafe. Alcohol is a depressant that can prevent a driver from exercising the degree of care that’s needed to avoid accidents.
Drivers who are intoxicated are more likely to experience:
- Reduced coordination
- Slowed reaction times
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Lapses in memory
- Impaired judgment and executive functioning
- Lowered inhibitions, which can cause them to make risky decisions on the road
- Blackouts or falling asleep at the wheel
This is why it’s common for drunk drivers to:
- Follow other vehicles too closely
- Speed
- Drive too slowly for traffic conditions
- Run red lights and stop signs
- Weave in and out of lanes of traffic
- Rear-end other vehicles
- Stop or brake improperly
- Make unsafe or illegal turns
- Drive the wrong way down the road
It’s not just motorists who are in danger when a driver is impaired. Many Round Rock DWI accidents involve pedestrians and bicyclists. When approaching intersections, drunk drivers can be less likely to check for pedestrians in crosswalks, slow down, or yield the right of way to bicyclists.
What Are the Penalties For a DWI in Round Rock, TX?
It depends. Driving while intoxicated can be a misdemeanor or a felony offense in the state of Texas, depending on the circumstances.
A first-time DWI offense is usually a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in a Williamson County jail, up to $2,000 in fines, and a license suspension for up to one year. Motorists convicted of a first-time DWI can also be ordered to complete an alcohol education course and/or have an ignition interlock device installed in their car.
A second offense is typically a Class A Misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in jail, $4,000 in fines, mandatory community service, probation, and/or license suspension for two years. Subsequent DWI convictions are typically felony offenses, which carry prison sentences and harsher fines.
However, any DWI offense can carry more significant penalties if there are aggravating factors – like a child passenger in the vehicle, driving with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .15 percent or higher, or causing an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Driving while intoxicated can also lead to civil liability if the drunk driver causes a car accident in which there’s property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death.
Who’s Liable For a DWI Accident in Round Rock?
Drunk drivers can be sued for damages and held personally liable if they cause a car accident.
As a victim, you have the right to file a civil personal injury lawsuit seeking economic damages and non-economic damages for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disability
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Physical disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Punitive damages can also be sought at trial if your drunk driving car accident lawsuit gets in front of a jury. In Texas, punitive damages are appropriate when a defendant exhibits a conscious disregard for another’s safety, which is often the case when a driver knowingly gets behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
However, you’re not limited to seeking compensation from the drunk driver themselves. Texas has something known as “dram shop” liability, too. This means you can potentially file a lawsuit against a bar, club, or restaurant for overserving an “obviously intoxicated” customer when that customer drives drunk and causes a serious accident.
How Can a Round Rock DWI Attorney Help Me Get Compensation?
Round Rock DWIs can cause serious physical injuries, including spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, burn injuries, crushing injuries, and other catastrophic trauma. These types of injuries can be costly, and you shouldn’t be expected to navigate them on your own. The drunk driver has to be held accountable.
Hiring an experienced Round Rock DWI lawyer can give you the best opportunity to win your personal injury case and recover a top-tier monetary award.
Choosing Dow Law Firm puts Board Certified and award-winning civil trial attorneys with decades of combined experience. in your corner. We offer compassionate and aggressive legal representation when it matters most.
You’ll be able to count on our car attorneys in Round Rock to:
- Investigate your drunk driving accident
- Gather critical evidence to prove that the drunk driver is liable for your injuries and damages
- Work closely with experts as we assess your damages and evaluate what your Round Rock DWI accident case is worth
- Engage in meaningful settlement negotiations with the drunk driver’s defense attorney and other parties
- Handle the administrative elements of your civil drunk driving accident claim
- Represent your best interests if your Round Rock DWI lawsuit goes to trial
We offer a free consultation and represent clients on a contingent basis, so there’s no cost to hire our Round Rock DWI lawyers, unless we win your case. Contact our legal team to learn more today.