Drunk Driver Crashes in Midland and Texas Dram Shop Claims

Drunk Driver Crashes in Midland and Texas Dram Shop Claims Nine hundred twenty-nine. According to Texas Department of Public Safety figures cited by The Doan Law Firm, that's how many DUI and DWI arrests were made in Midland and Midland County in 2016. Every one of those arrests was a driver who got stopped. The ones who don't get stopped are the ones who end up in crash reports, and their victims end up in the emergency room at Midland Memorial Hospital. Drunk driving crashes tend to be violent. Impaired drivers run red lights, drift across the center line on two-lane roads like SH 158, or slam into stopped traffic on Interstate 20. Night driving on unlit rural highways makes things worse. If you or someone in your family was hit by a drunk driver, the criminal DWI case will move forward on its own track. That case is about punishment. Your civil claim is about getting your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering paid. Here's something many people in Midland don't know. Texas has a dram shop law. Bars, restaurants and other alcohol sellers can be held liable when they served someone who was obviously intoxicated and that person then caused injuries. That can matter a great deal. A drunk driver may carry only the Texas minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person, which rarely comes close to covering a serious injury. A bar or restaurant's insurance can become a second source of recovery. Proving a dram shop claim takes work, though. It can mean tracking down receipts, bar tabs, surveillance video, and witnesses who saw how the driver was acting before leaving, whether that was downtown near Wall Street or out along Big Spring Street.

The Doan Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys - Midland | 4500 W Illinois Ave #203, Midland, TX 79703 | (432) 653-0000

A Midland car accident lawyer at The Doan Law Firm can look at every possible source of payment. The firm investigates beyond the police report, gathers evidence of fault, and calculates both economic and non-economic losses, including mental anguish and physical impairment. Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may also come into play if the drunk driver's policy is too small. The firm has represented injured Midland Car Accident Lawyer people since 2000 and now has offices in 12 states. Clients of the Midland office often say in reviews that the staff explained their options and the law clearly, and that they felt they were working with an honest firm. If a drunk driver hurt you or took someone you love, don't wait on the criminal case to act. Texas generally allows two years for injury and wrongful death claims, and evidence from a bar can vanish quickly. Call (432) 653-0000, day or night. The consultation is free, you pay $0 unless the firm wins, and the West Illinois Avenue office in Suite 203 is ready when you are.

The Doan Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys - Midland Address: 4500 W Illinois Ave #203, Midland, TX 79703 Phone: (432) 653-0000 FAQ About Midland Car Accident Lawyer Is it worth hiring an attorney for a car accident in Midland? If you were hurt, missed work or the other driver's insurer is disputing fault, a lawyer usually pays for themselves. The Doan Law Firm offers free consultations at its West Illinois Avenue office, so you can find out whether your Midland crash needs legal help before you commit to anything. For a small bumper scrape with no injuries, you may not need one at all, and the team will tell you so. What percentage do accident attorneys usually take? Most car accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning the fee is a percentage of what they recover and nothing if they lose. The Doan Law Firm handles Midland car accident cases this way, with no upfront cost and no fee unless the firm wins. The exact percentage is set out in writing in your fee agreement before any work begins. How much of a $25,000 settlement will I actually receive? Your share depends on the agreed contingency fee, any case expenses and what is owed to medical providers or health insurers who paid for your treatment. A good lawyer will often negotiate those medical balances down, which can put more money in your pocket. Call (432) 653-0000 and the Midland team can walk you through how the numbers would work in your situation. How long do you have to call a lawyer after a car accident in Texas? Texas gives you two years from the crash to file most injury lawsuits, but waiting that long is risky. Camera footage from businesses along Loop 250 or Wadley Avenue can be erased within days, and witness memories fade fast. The Doan Law Firm answers its Midland line 24 hours a day, so it makes sense to call once your immediate medical needs are handled. Do insurance companies want you to get a lawyer? Generally not. Adjusters often push for quick settlements before you speak to anyone, because an unrepresented claim usually costs them less. Once The Doan Law Firm is involved, insurers deal with the firm directly instead of calling you. Founder Jimmy Doan was named to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers in 2026, and insurers know which firms are prepared to go to court. What should you not tell your insurance company after a crash? Avoid apologizing, guessing about speed or distances, or saying you feel fine before a doctor has checked you. Anything you say in a recorded statement can be used to argue you share the blame, which matters under Texas rules that cut your recovery by your percentage of fault. The Doan Law Firm can handle those calls for you from the start. What is the biggest mistake people make with a car accident claim? Delaying medical treatment is one of the most costly. Gaps between the crash and your first doctor visit give insurers room to argue your injuries came from something else. Whether you go to Midland Memorial Hospital or an urgent care clinic, get checked quickly. Midland clients of The Doan Law Firm say the team helped them arrange treatment within about a week. How much can you get for pain and suffering in Texas? There is no fixed formula or cap in ordinary Texas car accident cases. The amount depends on how serious your injuries are, how long recovery takes and how the crash changed your daily life. The Doan Law Firm documents both economic losses and non-economic harm, such as pain, mental anguish and physical impairment, before negotiating with insurers. What is the hardest injury to prove after a car accident? Injuries that don't show up on an X-ray, like whiplash, soft tissue damage, mild traumatic brain injury and post-crash anxiety, are often the hardest to prove. Consistent treatment records, doctor notes and a daily pain journal help. The Midland team investigates beyond the police report to build evidence that insurers can't easily dismiss. Can I get compensation for anxiety after a car accident? Yes, Texas law allows recovery for mental anguish when it is tied to the crash and properly documented. Fear of driving, trouble sleeping and panic attacks after a wreck on I-20 or SH 191 are real harms. The Doan Law Firm can connect clients with trusted medical professionals so these effects are recorded and valued fairly. How likely is it to get sued after a car accident in Midland? Most crash claims settle through insurance without anyone being personally sued, especially when the at-fault driver carries at least the Texas minimum of 30/60/25 coverage. Lawsuits become more likely when injuries are serious and exceed the policy limits. If you have received a demand letter or lawsuit, call The Doan Law Firm at (432) 653-0000 to talk through your options. When should you contact a Midland car accident lawyer? Ideally before you speak with the other driver's insurance adjuster or sign anything. Early contact lets the firm preserve evidence, request the Texas CR-3 crash report and handle insurer calls from day one. The Doan Law Firm's office at 4500 W Illinois Ave #203 is open around the clock, and the first consultation is always free.