Shocking Houston DUI Statistics (and What You Can Do About Them)

Local information about DUI accidents show the persistent danger of these devastating wrecks. A Houston DUI accident lawyer can use this data to help hold offenders accountable for the injuries and losses you’ve suffered after an intoxicated driving crash.

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Driving under the influence (DUI) accidents are completely preventable if people would follow the law and behave safely. And yet, according to the CDC, millions drive while intoxicated every year — under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, dangerous prescription meds, and illicit drugs.

If you have been impacted by a drunk driving accident, a Houston DUI accident attorney can help you recover the funds you’re entitled to. This includes negotiating with insurance companies, filing claims against any and all responsible parties, and pursuing a lawsuit if the other side refuses a fair settlement.

For more information on your rights and legal options, contact the Houston DUI lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek by calling (832) 690-7000. We have secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for car accident and catastrophic injury cases, and are here to help you too.

For detailed info on Houston DUI and Texas car accident statistics, read on.

‍Closer Look — Texas Laws

Driving under the influence (DUI): A DUI is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas. DUI charges only apply to minors under the legal drinking age of 21 who have any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems.

Driving while intoxicated (DWI): A DWI is a more serious Class B misdemeanor charge for both minors and adults over 21 who have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 or more. Consequences can include up to a $2,000 fine, 180 days in jail, and the loss of a driver’s license for up to a year.

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What Are The Latest Houston DWI Statistics?

The following are DUI and DWI accident statistics in Houston according to the iDriveSafely.com:

• There were 25,261 drunk-driving crashes in Texas in a 2021, resulting in 1,029 deaths and 2,522 serious injuries. That’s one death every 8.5 hours.
• In the past decade, the Houston region has recorded more than 5,000 impaired driving accidents annually. This equates to around 14 DUI and DWI crashes per day.
• Every year, an average of over 300 people in the Houston area die in DWI collisions. This means Houston is one of the deadliest places in America for impaired driving.  

Houston’s I-45 is the most dangerous road in the country. Our city leads the state in fatal accidents, far ahead of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We have more than three times the number of fatal DUI accidents than Los Angeles, which has roughly double the population of Houston. 

What Are U.S. National DUI Car Accident Statistics?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• About 28 people die each day in the United States due to intoxicated driving crashes.
• Over one recent 10-year study period, roughly 10,500 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.
• A total of 35% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred due to impaired or intoxicated driving.

Every one of those numbers represents the untimely loss of a loved one and a family or community in crisis. If your loved one has lost their life due to a DUI or drunk driving accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. 

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Those who choose to cause these horrendous accidents by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated must be held accountable. More importantly, you deserve to be made whole again as much as possible by securing the compensation you need. Contact Pierce Skrabanek at (832) 690-7000 for proven representation.

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The Top 3 Ways Alcohol Affects Driving Ability

When a person drinks alcohol, it affects their ability to think, react, and make decisions, which are all essential skills for safe driving. Here are some of the specific ways that alcohol can affect driving ability:

• Impaired judgment: Alcohol can impair a person's judgment, which can lead to poor driving decisions, such as driving too fast, taking risks, or failing to observe traffic signals.
• Slowed reaction time: Alcohol can slow down a person's reflexes, resulting in delayed braking, swerving too late, or failing to avoid an obstacle.
• Reduced coordination: Alcohol can reduce a person's coordination and balance, which may cause the driver to weave, drift, or overcorrect, putting themselves and other drivers at risk.

In general, the more alcohol a person drinks, the greater their impairment, and the higher their risk of causing a car crash. 

What Kind of Settlement Can a Houston DUI Accident Attorney Help Secure?

If you were harmed by a drunk or intoxicated driver, a Houston DUI accident attorney can help you receive compensation for:

• Medical bills, including emergency transport, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up appointments, and mental health therapy
• Lost wages due to time off work, reduced hours or abilities, unemployment, and the loss of job-related benefits like health insurance coverage 
• Rehabilitation and other forms of long-term care, including in-home help, mobility devices, and ongoing medications or therapeutics
• Pain and suffering for your physical pain, emotional suffering, and the stress this accident may place on your home, work, and social life
• Punitive damages, which are fees charged to wrongdoers in cases of extreme recklessness (such as repeat offender drunk drivers), which can then be awarded to you and your family

Studies show that you’re 91% likely to secure a settlement if you’re represented by an attorney, vs. only 51% chance when filing an unrepresented lawsuit. The compensation amounts lawyers secure average 300% higher than self-represented results. You deserve the best possible outcome with a proven attorney by your side.

Contact a Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

In Houston, where drunk and intoxicated driving plague our highways, your choice to file a lawsuit based on your needs can also help others. By pursuing a lawsuit, you help enforce the consequences for irresponsible drivers, thereby making our city’s streets safer.

Pierce Skrabanek is headquartered in Houston. We offer bilingual English and Spanish legal services, and have a proven track record in successfully litigating car accident, wrongful death, and catastrophic personal injury cases. We are ready to help you seek justice.

Contact us today online or by calling (832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation. By helping yourself and your family move forward, you also help make Houston a safer city when you hold drunk drivers accountable.