{"id":22558,"date":"2026-09-02T17:04:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/plano\/plano-drunk-driving-accident-attorney\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T17:13:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:13:09","slug":"abogado-especializado-en-accidentes-por-conducir-en-estado-de-ebriedad-en-plano","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/plano\/plano-drunk-driving-accident-attorney\/","title":{"rendered":"Plano Abogado especializado en accidentes por conducir en estado de ebriedad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being hit by a drunk driver changes everything. One moment you are driving down the Dallas North Tollway or stopped at a light on Legacy Drive, and the next you are dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, and a totaled car. If this happened to you or someone you love in the Plano area, you deserve answers and real legal help. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/\">personal injury lawyers<\/a> at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, based in Denton, Texas, represent victims of drunk driving accidents across the North Texas region, including Plano and Collin County. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#texas-law-defines-drunk-driving-clearly-and-the-penalties-are-severe\">Texas Law Defines Drunk Driving Clearly, and the Penalties Are Severe<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#drunk-driving-crashes-in-texas-cause-more-deaths-than-any-other-state\">Drunk Driving Crashes in Texas Cause More Deaths Than Any Other State<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-compensation-can-you-recover-after-a-plano-drunk-driving-accident\">What Compensation Can You Recover After a Plano Drunk Driving Accident?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-a-plano-drunk-driving-accident-attorney-builds-your-case\">How a Plano Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Builds Your Case<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#texas-statute-of-limitations-and-why-you-should-not-wait-to-call\">Texas Statute of Limitations and Why You Should Not Wait to Call<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faqs-about-plano-drunk-driving-accident-attorney\">FAQs About Plano Drunk Driving Accident Attorney<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"texas-law-defines-drunk-driving-clearly-and-the-penalties-are-severe\">Texas Law Defines Drunk Driving Clearly, and the Penalties Are Severe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under Texas Penal Code \u00a7 49.04, a person commits the offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) when they operate a motor vehicle in a public place while &#8220;intoxicated.&#8221; Texas law defines &#8220;intoxicated&#8221; two ways. First, a person is intoxicated if they do not have the normal use of their mental or physical faculties because of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any other impairing substance. Second, a person is intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A basic first-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum of 72 hours in jail. But the charges escalate quickly. If the driver had a BAC of 0.15 or higher, the offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor. If the driver had a child passenger under the age of 15 in the vehicle, Texas Penal Code \u00a7 49.045 makes that a state jail felony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a drunk driver causes serious bodily injury to another person, the criminal charge becomes Intoxication Assault under Texas Penal Code \u00a7 49.07, which is a third-degree felony. If someone dies, the charge becomes Intoxication Manslaughter under Texas Penal Code \u00a7 49.08, which is a second-degree felony. These are not just criminal matters. They are also the foundation of a civil injury claim that you can bring against the driver who hurt you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On top of fines tied to the criminal case, Texas Transportation Code \u00a7 709.001 adds a separate civil fine of $3,000 for a first DWI conviction within a 36-month period, $4,500 for a second or subsequent conviction in the same window, and $6,000 if the driver&#8217;s BAC was 0.15 or higher. These financial consequences reflect how seriously Texas treats drunk driving, and they show exactly why drunk drivers are held accountable in civil court as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"drunk-driving-crashes-in-texas-cause-more-deaths-than-any-other-state\">Drunk Driving Crashes in Texas Cause More Deaths Than Any Other State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Texas leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities. Alcohol-impaired-driving traffic fatalities were highest in Texas at 1,676 in 2024, according to NHTSA data. That number is not just a statistic. Each one of those deaths represents a family shattered by a completely preventable act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2024, 11,904 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide, accounting for about 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States. Plano and the surrounding Collin County area are not immune. Highways like US-75 (Central Expressway), the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121), and the Dallas North Tollway all see heavy traffic, and impaired drivers use them regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In every state, it is illegal to drive drunk, yet one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 44 minutes in the United States in 2024. That pace is staggering. And the problem is not limited to late-night bar closings. The percentage of alcohol impairment among drivers in fatal traffic crashes was three times higher at night than during the day, and 32 percent of all drivers in single-vehicle fatal traffic crashes were alcohol-impaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Repeat offenders who drink and drive are a very real, very deadly problem. Drivers with BACs of 0.08 g\/dL or higher involved in fatal crashes were three times more likely to have prior DWI convictions than drivers with no alcohol. Texas law responds to repeat offenders by requiring ignition interlock devices on their vehicles, as outlined in Texas Penal Code \u00a7 49.04(h). When a court enters that order, the offender must install a deep-lung breath analysis mechanism on every vehicle they own or operate, at their own cost, for at least one year after their license suspension ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-compensation-can-you-recover-after-a-plano-drunk-driving-accident\">What Compensation Can You Recover After a Plano Drunk Driving Accident?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Texas civil law allows drunk driving accident victims to pursue compensation for every loss caused by the crash. These claims are separate from whatever criminal case the state brings against the driver. A criminal conviction may help your civil case, but you do not need one to recover damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compensatory damages cover your actual losses. Medical expenses are typically the largest category, including emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and future care costs. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover lost wages and, in serious cases, loss of future earning capacity. Property damage covers your vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pain and suffering damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed your daily life. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, or severe burns, these non-economic damages can be substantial. Catastrophic injuries often require life-long care, and your claim should reflect that full reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Texas also allows courts to award exemplary damages, commonly called punitive damages, in drunk driving cases. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code \u00a7 41.003, exemplary damages are available when the defendant acted with malice or gross negligence. Texas courts have consistently found that choosing to drive drunk qualifies as the kind of reckless disregard for others that supports a punitive damages award. This is one area where drunk driving accident claims differ sharply from ordinary car accident cases. The driver made a deliberate choice, and Texas law allows juries to punish that choice financially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the drunk driver was killed in the crash, or if a victim dies from their injuries, the family may have a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code \u00a7 71.002. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles these claims as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-a-plano-drunk-driving-accident-attorney-builds-your-case\">How a Plano Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Builds Your Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Building a strong drunk driving injury claim requires gathering evidence quickly. Physical evidence disappears. Witnesses move on. Surveillance footage from businesses along Spring Creek Parkway or near Plano&#8217;s Legacy West development gets overwritten. Acting fast matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An attorney will obtain the police report from the Plano Police Department or the Texas Department of Public Safety, whichever agency responded to the crash. That report often includes the officer&#8217;s observations of the driver&#8217;s impairment, field sobriety test results, and BAC readings from breath or blood tests. If the driver was arrested, the criminal case file becomes a valuable source of evidence for your civil claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your attorney will also investigate whether a third party shares liability. Texas&#8217;s Dram Shop Act, found in Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code \u00a7 2.02, allows victims to sue bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol sellers when they served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated and that person then caused an accident. If the drunk driver was drinking at a restaurant near the Shops at Legacy or a bar in downtown Plano before the crash, that establishment may bear legal responsibility alongside the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medical records documenting your injuries are central to your claim. Your attorney will work with medical professionals to understand the full scope of your injuries, including long-term effects that may not be obvious in the days right after the crash. Accident reconstruction experts can establish how the crash happened and confirm the drunk driver&#8217;s fault. All of this evidence comes together to support a demand for full compensation from the at-fault driver&#8217;s insurance company, or from a jury if the insurer refuses to pay fairly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney&#8217;s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call (940) 800-2500 to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"texas-statute-of-limitations-and-why-you-should-not-wait-to-call\">Texas Statute of Limitations and Why You Should Not Wait to Call<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Texas law sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code \u00a7 16.003, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Miss that deadline, and you lose your right to sue, regardless of how strong your case is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two years sounds like a long time, but it moves faster than most people expect. Recovering from serious injuries takes time and energy. Insurance companies use delay tactics to run out the clock. Key evidence, including witness memories and surveillance footage from locations near the Plano Parkway or along Preston Road, becomes harder to obtain as time passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are limited exceptions to the two-year rule. If the victim was a minor at the time of the crash, the clock may not start running until they turn 18. If the drunk driver left the state after the accident, that time may be paused under Texas law. But you should never rely on an exception to save your claim. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the crash is always the right move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wrongful death claims follow the same two-year deadline under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code \u00a7 16.003, running from the date of the victim&#8217;s death rather than the date of the accident. Families grieving a loss often put off legal action while dealing with funeral arrangements and emotional recovery. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understands that, and we handle the legal process so you can focus on your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our office is located at 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205, and we serve clients throughout Plano, Denton, and the broader North Texas area. Call us at (940) 800-2500 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with a Plano drunk driving accident attorney today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs-about-plano-drunk-driving-accident-attorney\">FAQs About Plano Drunk Driving Accident Attorney<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does the drunk driver have to be convicted of DWI for me to win my civil case?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil claim, but it is not required. The standard of proof in a civil case is &#8220;preponderance of the evidence,&#8221; which means more likely than not. That is a much lower bar than the &#8220;beyond a reasonable doubt&#8221; standard used in criminal court. Your attorney can build a strong civil case using the police report, BAC test results, witness statements, and other evidence, even if the criminal case is still pending or results in a plea deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I sue the bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the drunk driver?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, in many cases. Texas&#8217;s Dram Shop Act, codified in Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code \u00a7 2.02, allows victims to hold licensed alcohol sellers liable when they served a visibly intoxicated person who later caused a crash. This can significantly increase the pool of available insurance coverage for your claim. An attorney will investigate where the driver was drinking before the accident and whether that establishment over-served them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if the drunk driver had no insurance or very little coverage?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a real problem in Texas, and there are several ways to address it. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM\/UIM) coverage may apply. If a third party, such as a bar or a vehicle owner who let the drunk driver use their car, shares liability, their insurance may cover your losses. An attorney can identify all available sources of recovery so you are not left without compensation simply because the at-fault driver had inadequate coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does a drunk driving accident claim take to resolve in Texas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no single answer, because every case is different. Some claims settle with the insurance company within a few months. Others, particularly those involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or a Dram Shop claim against a business, can take a year or more. Cases that go to trial take longer still. What matters most is that your claim is handled thoroughly and that you do not accept a low settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will guide you through every step of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I do immediately after a drunk driving accident in Plano?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call 911 right away and get medical treatment, even if you feel fine. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries and internal damage often have delayed symptoms. Let law enforcement document the scene and conduct sobriety testing on the other driver. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries if you are able to do so safely. Get contact information from witnesses. Then call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible. The steps you take in the hours and days after the crash can have a major impact on your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does the drunk driver have to be convicted of DWI for me to win my civil case?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil claim, but it is not required. The standard of proof in a civil case is \\\"preponderance of the evidence,\\\" which means more likely than not. That is a much lower bar than the \\\"beyond a reasonable doubt\\\" standard used in criminal court. Your attorney can build a strong civil case using the police report, BAC test results, witness statements, and other evidence, even if the criminal case is still pending or results in a plea deal.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I sue the bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the drunk driver?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, in many cases. Texas's Dram Shop Act, codified in Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code \u00a7 2.02, allows victims to hold licensed alcohol sellers liable when they served a visibly intoxicated person who later caused a crash. This can significantly increase the pool of available insurance coverage for your claim. An attorney will investigate where the driver was drinking before the accident and whether that establishment over-served them.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What if the drunk driver had no insurance or very little coverage?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"This is a real problem in Texas, and there are several ways to address it. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM\/UIM) coverage may apply. If a third party, such as a bar or a vehicle owner who let the drunk driver use their car, shares liability, their insurance may cover your losses. An attorney can identify all available sources of recovery so you are not left without compensation simply because the at-fault driver had inadequate coverage.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does a drunk driving accident claim take to resolve in Texas?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"There is no single answer, because every case is different. Some claims settle with the insurance company within a few months. Others, particularly those involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or a Dram Shop claim against a business, can take a year or more. Cases that go to trial take longer still. What matters most is that your claim is handled thoroughly and that you do not accept a low settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will guide you through every step of the process.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What should I do immediately after a drunk driving accident in Plano?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Call 911 right away and get medical treatment, even if you feel fine. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries and internal damage often have delayed symptoms. Let law enforcement document the scene and conduct sobriety testing on the other driver. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries if you are able to do so safely. Get contact information from witnesses. Then call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible. The steps you take in the hours and days after the crash can have a major impact on your claim. Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.\"}}]}<\/script>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Resources About Construction &#038; Industrial Accidents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/plano\/plano-construction-accident-lawyer\/\">Plano Construction Accident Lawyer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/plano\/plano-oil-rig-drilling-injury-attorney\/\">Plano Oil Rig &#038; Drilling Injury Attorney<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/plano\/drunk-driving-accidents\/\">Drunk Driving Accidents<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ser atropellado por un conductor ebrio lo cambia todo. En un momento est\u00e1 conduciendo por la autopista de peaje Dallas North Tollway o detenido en un sem\u00e1foro en Legacy Drive, y al siguiente se encuentra enfrentando lesiones graves, gastos m\u00e9dicos y un auto siniestro total. Si esto le sucedi\u00f3 a usted o a un ser querido en el \u00e1rea de Plano, usted\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":18017,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-22558","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22558"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22569,"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22558\/revisions\/22569"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chandlerrosslaw.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}