Every year, drug-impaired drivers cause devastating crashes on Denton roads. From University Drive near the University of North Texas campus to the busy interchanges along I-35, innocent people are hit by drivers who had no business being behind the wheel. If you were hurt by a drug-impaired driver in Denton, you have legal rights under Texas law, and Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is here to help you pursue every dollar you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drug-impaired driving is a serious and growing problem across Texas. Of all traffic fatalities in 2023, an estimated 30 percent involved alcohol-impaired driving, and Texas ranked second in the nation for the percentage of fatal crashes tied to impaired drivers. That means Texas roads are among the most dangerous in the country when it comes to impaired driving. And that number does not even account for crashes caused by illegal drugs, prescription medications, or combinations of substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every day, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes, and in 2023 alone, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. When you add drug-impaired crashes to that total, the picture becomes even more alarming. Texas ranks in the top 10 states nationally for alcohol-related fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2023, and preliminary data suggest Texas will again be in the top 10 in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Denton specifically, the combination of college-town nightlife near TWU and UNT, heavy traffic on Loop 288, and the constant flow of vehicles through the I-35 corridor creates real risk. Drug-impaired drivers are a threat on every road in this city, from quiet neighborhood streets near Quakertown Park to the high-speed lanes of I-35E. If you were hit by one of these drivers, the personal injury lawyers<\/a> at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys want to hear from you today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 defines driving while intoxicated (DWI) broadly. A person is considered intoxicated not just when their blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.08 or higher, but also when they no longer have the normal use of their mental or physical faculties due to any substance, including illegal drugs, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or any combination. This means a driver who took too many prescription opioids or used marijuana before getting behind the wheel can still be charged under Section 49.04, even if their BAC is zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04(d), if a blood, breath, or urine test shows a BAC of 0.15 or higher, the offense is elevated to a Class A misdemeanor. A standard DWI without aggravating factors is a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a minimum of 72 hours of confinement. These are criminal penalties, but they are separate from your right to file a civil injury claim against the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a drug-impaired driver causes serious injury, Texas Penal Code Section 49.07 applies. Under that statute, a driver commits intoxication assault when, while operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, they cause serious bodily injury to another person by reason of that intoxication. Serious bodily injury is defined as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or results in the protracted loss or impairment of any bodily member or organ. Intoxication assault is a third-degree felony, which carries two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. If the victim dies, the charge escalates to intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08, a second-degree felony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Importantly, under Texas Penal Code Section 49.10, it is no defense that the driver was legally entitled to use the substance. A driver cannot escape liability simply because a doctor prescribed the medication. That same principle carries over to civil liability. As a victim, you can seek compensation regardless of whether the substance was legal or illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proving that a driver was drug-impaired at the time of the crash takes more than just pointing to a police report. Texas uses a fault-based system for car accident claims, which means you must show that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. When drug impairment is involved, that proof often comes from multiple sources working together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Police reports are a starting point. If officers at the scene noted signs of impairment, performed field sobriety tests, or requested a blood draw, that documentation matters. Toxicology results from blood or urine tests can confirm the presence of drugs in the driver’s system. Witness statements from people near the crash on Carroll Boulevard or at a stoplight on Teasley Lane can support your account of what happened. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras can show erratic driving behavior before the collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages are $100,000 and you are found 10 percent at fault, you recover $90,000. A skilled car accident lawyer<\/a> can help build a strong case that clearly places fault where it belongs, on the impaired driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some drug-impaired crash cases, other parties may share liability. A bar or restaurant that over-served a visibly intoxicated patron may face liability under Texas dram shop laws. An employer whose worker was driving a company vehicle while impaired may also be on the hook. Identifying all liable parties is key to maximizing your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crashes caused by drug-impaired drivers often result in severe injuries. Think about a T-bone collision at a Denton intersection, or a head-on crash on a two-lane road near Lake Lewisville. These are not fender-benders. Victims often face traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries, and long-term emotional trauma like PTSD. The financial toll can be enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under Texas law, injured victims can pursue two main categories of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. These include past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages while you were unable to work, and loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term. Non-economic damages cover losses that are harder to put a dollar amount on, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for your spouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In cases involving drug-impaired drivers, Texas law also allows for exemplary damages (also called punitive damages) under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41. These are awarded when the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or malicious. Choosing to drive while under the influence of drugs is exactly the kind of reckless conduct that can support a punitive damages claim. The estimated economic cost of alcohol-impaired driving crashes alone in the United States was $58 billion in 2019, reflecting just how devastating these collisions are financially. Your claim should reflect the full scope of what you have lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles drug-impaired driving cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your case. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your matter, as each case depends on its own facts and applicable law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Denton is our community too. Our team knows the roads where these crashes happen, from the busy stretch of US-380 near the Golden Triangle Mall to the late-night traffic around the Denton County courthouse square. We understand how these cases unfold in Denton County courts, and we know how insurance companies respond to drug-impaired driving claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurance adjusters do not work for you. They work to minimize what the company pays out. After a drug-impaired driving crash, the at-fault driver’s insurer may try to downplay the severity of your injuries, dispute the cause of the crash, or rush you into a low settlement before you understand the full extent of your damages. You deserve a legal team that pushes back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we handle the full picture. We gather evidence, work with accident reconstruction professionals when needed, consult medical experts to document your injuries, and deal with insurance companies directly so you can focus on healing. Whether your crash happened near Denton’s Rayzor Ranch area, on a side street off Bell Avenue, or on the I-35 corridor through town, we are ready to fight for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also help clients who were hurt in other types of impaired driving crashes. If the driver was drunk rather than drugged, our approach to building your case is just as thorough. Our team handles cases involving distracted drivers, reckless drivers, and all types of collisions across the Denton area and throughout North Texas. If you need a car accident lawyer<\/a> in the surrounding region, or a car accident attorney<\/a> in Plano, we can help with those cases as well. We also serve clients as a car accident lawyer<\/a> in Arlington and as a car accident attorney<\/a> in Dallas. No matter where in the region your crash occurred, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What you do in the hours and days after a crash can directly affect your ability to recover compensation. First, call 911. You want a police report on record, and you want officers to document any signs of impairment at the scene. If the driver seems confused, has slurred speech, or smells of substances, make sure officers are aware. This documentation becomes critical evidence in your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, do not show symptoms immediately. Waiting to see a doctor can not only put your health at risk, it can also give the insurance company grounds to argue your injuries were not caused by the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gather as much evidence as you can at the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Write down everything you remember about the crash while it is fresh in your mind. If there are surveillance cameras nearby, note their locations so your attorney can request the footage quickly, before it is overwritten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can be used against you later. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you talk to anyone from the insurance company. Texas also has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, so do not wait too long to take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.10, it is not a defense that the driver was legally entitled to use the substance. The same principle applies in civil cases. If a driver was impaired by a prescription medication and that impairment caused your injuries, you can pursue a claim against them just as you would if they had used an illegal drug or alcohol. What matters is whether the impairment caused the crash and your injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is more common than most people realize. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM\/UIM) coverage, if you have it. Texas law allows you to stack these claims in some situations. There may also be other liable parties, such as an employer or a dram shop, whose insurance can be reached. An attorney can help you identify every available source of recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It depends on the facts of your case. Some cases settle within a few months after medical treatment is complete and damages are fully documented. More serious cases involving significant injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurers can take longer, sometimes a year or more. If a lawsuit is filed and the case goes to trial, the timeline extends further. Your attorney can give you a realistic picture of what to expect based on the specific details of your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can. A criminal conviction for DWI or intoxication assault is strong evidence of negligence in a civil case. It establishes that the driver was impaired and operating a vehicle unlawfully. However, a civil case does not require a criminal conviction. Even if the driver is not convicted, or if criminal charges are not filed, you can still pursue a civil claim. The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case, requiring only a preponderance of the evidence rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passengers injured in a vehicle driven by a drug-impaired driver have the right to file a claim against that driver. Being in the car with an impaired driver does not automatically bar your recovery, though insurance companies may try to argue that you assumed the risk by getting in the vehicle. Texas law does not automatically accept that argument, especially if you did not know the driver was impaired. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your options. Each case turns on its own facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, whose principal office is located in Denton, Texas. All attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys are licensed in Texas. This page is advertising material.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Texas Law Says About Drug-Impaired Driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Proving Fault in a Drug-Impaired Driving Accident Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drug-Impaired Driving Crash?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys for Your Denton Drug-Impaired Driving Case?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Steps to Take After a Drug-Impaired Driving Accident in Denton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQs About Drug-Impaired Driving Accidents in Denton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can I sue a driver who was impaired by prescription drugs, not illegal drugs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What if the drug-impaired driver did not have insurance or had minimal coverage?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How long does a drug-impaired driving accident case take in Texas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does a criminal DWI conviction help my civil injury case?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What if I was a passenger in the car driven by the impaired driver?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n