Frisco Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Get a Free Case Review

SERIOUS ATTORNEYS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES

Practice Areas

FREE CONSULTATION
five-stars-BBGgold

Chandler Ross is the best hands down! You can not go wrong with these attorneys!

— Tracy P.

A drunk driver doesn’t just make a bad decision. They make a decision that can destroy your life in seconds. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident in Frisco or anywhere in the surrounding North Texas area, you have legal rights, and those rights matter. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we represent victims of drunk driving crashes throughout the Frisco area and Denton County. We know how these cases work, we know Texas law, and we are ready to fight for you. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team.

Table of Contents

Drunk Driving Accidents in Frisco, Texas Are More Common Than You Think

Drunk driving is one of the deadliest and most preventable causes of serious injury on Texas roads. More than 1,000 people were killed in Texas from DUI and alcohol-related crashes in 2024, which means three Texans were lost every single day because a driver ignored the risks. That number represents real people, real families, and real communities, including right here in the Frisco area.

Frisco sits at the intersection of major North Texas corridors, including the Dallas North Tollway, US-380, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121). These roads carry heavy traffic every day and every night. When someone gets behind the wheel after drinking, these busy routes become extremely dangerous. The stretch of the Dallas North Tollway near Frisco’s entertainment district, the restaurants along Legacy Drive, and the bars near Stonebriar Centre Mall all generate late-night traffic that puts sober drivers at risk.

The highest number of DUI-related crashes in Texas occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m., with Sundays being the most common day for these incidents. If you were hit late at night or in the early morning hours, that timing alone tells a story. Drunk driving accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and internal bleeding. These are not minor fender benders. They are violent collisions with life-changing consequences.

The numbers make clear that this is not a small problem. TxDOT’s 2024 crash data reported 932 fatal DUI crashes, 1,584 suspected serious-injury DUI crashes, 4,297 suspected minor-injury DUI crashes, and 2,842 possible-injury DUI crashes. Behind every one of those numbers is a victim who deserved to make it home safely. If you are one of those victims, Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys wants to hear your story.

What Texas Law Says About Drunk Driving and Your Right to Compensation

Texas law treats drunk driving as a serious criminal offense, and that criminal conduct creates civil liability for the victims who are harmed. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a person commits an offense when they operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. The law defines intoxication as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or not having normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or another substance.

The criminal penalties increase with the severity of the offense. A standard first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a minimum of 72 hours in jail. If the driver had an open container of alcohol, that minimum jumps to six days. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04(d), if a blood, breath, or urine test shows a BAC of 0.15 or higher, the charge rises to a Class A misdemeanor. When a drunk driver kills someone, Texas Penal Code Section 49.08 covers intoxication manslaughter, which is a second-degree felony. In some circumstances, such as when the victim is a first responder, it becomes a first-degree felony.

Texas Penal Code Section 49.045 addresses DWI with a child passenger. If a driver is intoxicated while a passenger under 15 years old is in the vehicle, the offense is a state jail felony, regardless of whether an accident occurred. This reflects how seriously Texas takes the safety of children.

The criminal case against the drunk driver runs separately from your civil personal injury claim. A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil case, but you do not have to wait for a criminal outcome to pursue compensation. Texas civil law allows you to seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. In some drunk driving cases, courts also award punitive damages, which are additional damages meant to punish particularly reckless conduct. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can walk you through exactly what your claim may be worth.

Texas DWI Surcharges and What They Mean for Your Civil Claim

Texas law imposes significant financial penalties on drunk drivers through the Transportation Code, and understanding these penalties helps you see how seriously the state treats this conduct. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 709.001, a person convicted of a DWI-related offense must pay additional traffic fines on top of any criminal fines. A first conviction within a 36-month period carries an additional fine of $3,000. A second or subsequent conviction within that same 36-month window brings a $4,500 fine. If the driver’s BAC tested at 0.15 or higher, the additional fine jumps to $6,000, regardless of whether it was a first offense.

These surcharges exist because Texas recognizes that drunk driving causes enormous harm. They do not, however, go to you as a victim. The civil justice system is the mechanism through which you recover compensation for your actual losses. Your medical bills, your time out of work, your physical pain, your emotional trauma, and the damage to your vehicle are all losses that the drunk driver caused. Texas law gives you the right to hold that driver accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.

In cases involving repeat offenders, Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 also requires courts to order the installation of an ignition interlock device on every vehicle the offender owns or operates. This device uses a deep-lung breath analysis to prevent the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected. The fact that the law imposes these measures on repeat offenders shows that drunk driving is recognized as a pattern of dangerous behavior, not just a one-time mistake. If the driver who hit you had prior DWI convictions, that history is highly relevant to your case and may support a claim for punitive damages.

Do not assume the criminal process will take care of everything for you. It will not. You need your own legal representation to protect your interests and pursue the full compensation you deserve.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Frisco

The steps you take immediately after a drunk driving crash in Frisco can directly affect the strength of your legal claim. First, call 911 right away. A police report is critical in a drunk driving case. Officers can perform field sobriety tests, request a breath or blood test, and document signs of impairment at the scene. The Frisco Police Department and Collin County Sheriff’s Office both respond to crashes in the Frisco area, and their reports become key evidence in your case.

Get medical attention, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not show obvious symptoms right away. Visiting a hospital or urgent care center creates a medical record that links your injuries to the crash. Gaps in medical treatment give insurance companies a reason to dispute your claim.

Document everything you can at the scene. Take photos of your vehicle, the other vehicle, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. If you see open containers, spilled drinks, or other signs of alcohol in the other vehicle, note that as well. These details matter.

Avoid giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. What you say early in the process can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you speak with any insurance company. We serve clients in Frisco, Denton, Little Elm, Prosper, and throughout Denton and Collin Counties.

Damages You Can Recover After a Frisco Drunk Driving Accident

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Texas can pursue two main types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. These include emergency room bills, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, future medical care, lost wages while you recovered, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.

Non-economic damages cover the losses that do not come with a receipt. Physical pain, emotional suffering, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and damage to your personal relationships are all compensable under Texas law. These losses are real, even if they are harder to put a dollar amount on. An experienced attorney knows how to document and present these damages effectively.

Drunk driving cases also open the door to exemplary damages, which Texas law calls punitive damages. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003, a court can award punitive damages when the defendant acted with malice or gross negligence. Choosing to drive with a BAC well above the legal limit, especially if the driver has prior DWI convictions, can meet that standard. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from making the same choice.

If a drunk driving crash resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002. Spouses, children, and parents of the deceased can seek compensation for their own losses, including grief, loss of companionship, and lost financial support. These cases require prompt action. Texas generally gives you two years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to recover anything. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible so we can protect your rights from day one.

Why Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Serves Frisco Drunk Driving Victims

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm based in Denton, Texas, serving clients throughout the North Texas region, including Frisco and the surrounding communities. Our firm handles drunk driving accident cases, and we understand the specific roads, courts, and insurance dynamics that affect these claims in Denton County and Collin County.

Frisco is a fast-growing city, and its roads reflect that growth. The Dallas North Tollway expansion, the ongoing development near the Fields community, and the heavy commercial traffic along Preston Road all create conditions where impaired drivers pose serious risks. We know this area. We know where these crashes happen, and we know how to build strong cases for the people who are hurt.

When you hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, you get a team that takes your case seriously from the start. We gather evidence quickly, including police reports, toxicology results, surveillance footage, and witness statements. We work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries. We deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing. And if a fair settlement is not offered, we are prepared to take your case to the Denton County courthouse or the Collin County courthouse, whichever applies to your situation.

We handle drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. Our interest is directly aligned with yours. Call us at (940) 800-2500 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. Past results in other cases cannot guarantee the same outcome in yours, but we can promise that your case will receive the dedicated attention it deserves.

Content on this page is the responsibility of Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, located in Denton, Texas. Attorneys at this firm are licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

FAQs About Frisco Drunk Driving Accident Claims

How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Texas?

Texas law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. If a loved one was killed in a drunk driving crash, the two-year clock for a wrongful death claim typically starts from the date of death. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to sue entirely, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the crash is critical.

Does the drunk driver have to be convicted before I can file a civil claim?

No. Your civil personal injury claim is completely separate from the criminal DWI case. A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil case by establishing that the driver was intoxicated, but you do not need to wait for a criminal outcome to move forward. In fact, waiting can hurt your case because evidence disappears over time. You can pursue your civil claim at any point after the accident, regardless of where the criminal case stands.

Can I recover punitive damages from a drunk driver in Texas?

Yes, in many cases. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003, punitive damages, which Texas calls exemplary damages, may be awarded when the defendant acted with gross negligence. Courts have found that driving with a very high BAC, or driving drunk with a prior DWI history, can meet this standard. Punitive damages are awarded on top of your compensatory damages and are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

What if the drunk driver had no insurance or minimal coverage?

This is a real concern in Texas, where some drivers carry only the state minimum liability coverage or no coverage at all. If the at-fault driver is underinsured or uninsured, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may provide a source of compensation. Texas law requires insurers to offer this coverage, though drivers can reject it in writing. An attorney can review all available insurance policies and identify every source of recovery available to you.

What evidence is most important in a Frisco drunk driving accident case?

The most valuable evidence typically includes the police crash report, the driver’s blood or breath test results, field sobriety test records, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, witness statements, and your medical records. In Frisco, surveillance cameras are common along major corridors like the Dallas North Tollway and Preston Road, and that footage can be crucial. Act quickly because camera footage is often overwritten within days. An attorney can send preservation letters to secure that evidence before it is lost.

More Resources for Frisco, TX