Austin Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Former Prosecutors & More Than 300 Jury Trials Behind Your Claim

An impaired-driving crash can leave you facing medical treatment, lost income, vehicle damage, and pressure from insurers. Cofer & Connelly, PLLC represents people injured by negligent drivers, investigating Austin drunk driving crashes and pursuing personal injury claims for their resulting losses.

A DWI arrest may produce important evidence, but it doesn’t automatically establish civil liability. A separate civil claim requires proof of fault, medical causation, and damages. Insurers may dispute who caused the collision, whether it caused the injuries, or the extent of the losses.

More Than 300 Jury Trials Inform Our Civil Litigation

Jeffrey Connelly, a former Assistant District Attorney, leads our civil litigation practice, including personal injury cases. His background provides insight into evidence developed during criminal investigations, while our firm’s courtroom experience prepares us to negotiate serious claims and litigate when necessary.

We tailor our strategy to the collision, the injuries, available insurance coverage, and each client’s long-term needs. That includes evaluating evidence from a related DWI investigation without treating the criminal proceeding as a substitute for proving the civil case.

Who May Be Liable for an Impaired-Driving Collision?

The impaired driver is often the primary focus, but an investigation may identify other responsible parties. We examine the collision, available evidence, and conduct of each person or business that may have contributed to the harm.

Potential sources of liability may include:

• The impaired driver: A driver may be civilly liable when negligent conduct causes another person’s injuries and losses.
• An alcohol provider: A bar, restaurant, or other provider may face liability when the evidence satisfies Texas statutory requirements.
• Another contributing party: The facts may show that conduct beyond the impaired driving contributed to the collision or resulting injuries.

Alcohol-provider liability doesn’t apply to every crash. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, the evidence must show that the recipient was obviously intoxicated to the point of presenting a clear danger to themselves and others. That intoxication must also have been a proximate cause of the damages.

What an Austin Injury Claim May Cover

A civil claim may account for immediate expenses and continuing physical, financial, and emotional effects. Available damages depend on the injuries, evidence of causation, insurance coverage, and each responsible party’s conduct.

Losses evaluated in these claims may include:

• Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and lasting physical limitations
• Property damage associated with the collision

After a fatal crash, surviving family members may need an assessment of potential wrongful death claims under Texas law. Punitive or exemplary damages require a separate, fact-specific analysis and aren’t available in every case.

How We Build an Impaired-Driving Accident Claim

We begin by reviewing the collision, injuries, treatment, insurance information, financial losses, and any related criminal proceeding. Acting early can help preserve surveillance footage, vehicle data, witness recollections, and alcohol-service records that may become harder to obtain over time.

Our process may include:

• Investigating the crash: We examine reports, witness information, video, medical records, and impairment evidence.
• Identifying liable parties: We assess the impaired driver and anyone else whose conduct may support a claim.
• Documenting losses: We evaluate medical costs, wage loss, diminished earning capacity, and other supported damages.
• Handling insurance negotiations: We present the claim and respond to disputes over liability, causation, and damages.
• Preparing for litigation: We may take the case to court if the insurer doesn’t offer a fair settlement.