When impaired drivers operate golf carts, ATVs, and side-by-sides, slowed reaction times, poor judgment, and reduced coordination dramatically increase the risk of serious accidents. Victims often suffer severe injuries and other life-altering harm that can require extensive medical care and time away from work.
If you suffered an injury due to a drunk driver operating a golf cart, ATV, or side-by-side, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. However, insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize liability or dispute coverage in these unconventional vehicle cases.
Our drunk driving accident attorney at Lorenz & Lorenz is dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims and can support you after the crash. We can investigate the crash, identify all responsible parties, handle insurer negotiations, or litigate to protect your right to compensation.
Drunk Driving Crashes Key Takeaways
- Drinking and driving severely impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making golf carts, ATVs, and side-by-sides especially dangerous in Texas communities.
- Victims hit by drunk drivers may recover compensation for medical costs, loss of consortium, lost income, pain and suffering, long-term disability, and punitive damages.
- The amount you can sue depends on injury severity, insurance coverage, recovery time, legal representation, and shared liability.
- Proving drunk driving relies on BAC results, police reports, sobriety tests, witness testimony, and video evidence to establish fault and maximize recovery.
- Call a drunk driving accident lawyer for legal support.
What Are the Dangers of Drinking and Driving
Drinking and driving increases crash risks by impairing judgment, reaction time, coordination, and decision-making. Here's how drunk driving increases the risk of crashes:
Impaired Judgment
Alcohol affects the brain's ability to assess risk and make sound decisions. Drivers under the influence are more likely to speed, ignore traffic rules, misjudge distances, and take unnecessary chances.
When operating golf carts, ATVs, or side-by-sides in neighborhoods or recreational areas, these poor decisions are especially dangerous because safety features are limited and pedestrians are nearby.
Reduced Reaction Time and Coordination
Even small amounts of alcohol slow reflexes and impair motor coordination. Drivers may struggle to brake, steer, or avoid hazards in time. In Texas communities where golf carts and side-by-sides share roads with cars, children, and cyclists, delayed reactions can quickly lead to severe collisions or rollovers.
Increased Risk of Rollovers and Ejections
Golf carts, ATVs, and side-by-sides have higher centers of gravity and less stability than passenger vehicles. Alcohol impairment increases the likelihood of sharp turns, overcorrections, and loss of control. These factors raise the risk of rollovers, throwing occupants from the vehicle, and causing serious or fatal injuries.
Limited Protection for Occupants and Bystanders
Unlike cars, these vehicles often lack seat belts, airbags, or protective enclosures. Drunk driving crashes can cause severe injuries like broken bones or traumatic brain injuries. Pedestrians and other riders are also vulnerable, as these vehicles are commonly used in close proximity to homes and public spaces.
I Got Hit by a Drunk Driver, What Am I Entitled To?
Texas law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for the full scope of losses caused by an impaired driver's reckless conduct. The damages available in a drunk driving accident claim are intended to restore your stability, hold the at-fault driver accountable, and address both immediate and long-term harm.
Here are the damages you can pursue in a drunk driving claim:
Medical Expenses
You are entitled to recover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to injuries caused by the drunk driver. These damages cover both current treatment and anticipated future care.
These damages can cover the following damages related to your injury or treatment:
- Emergency room and trauma care
- Hospital stays and surgical procedures
- Diagnostic testing, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation services
- Follow-up physician and specialist visits
- Medical equipment and assistive devices
- Long-term or in-home medical care
A drunk driving accident lawyer can work with medical providers and experts to document and prove all injury-related costs.
Lost Income
Drunk driving injuries often prevent victims from working temporarily or permanently. You may recover compensation for income lost during recovery, reduced work hours, or time missed for medical appointments. If your injuries affect your ability to return to the same job or limit future earning potential, those losses may also be included in your claim.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
In addition to medical bills and lost earnings, drunk driving crashes frequently create unexpected personal expenses. These costs are recoverable when properly supported.
Evidence a drunk driving accident lawyer may use includes:
- Receipts for transportation to medical appointments
- Invoices for home modifications or accessibility equipment
- Childcare or household assistance bills
- Mileage logs related to treatment travel
- Proof of replacement services you could no longer perform
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the crash. For example, a victim who develops chronic back pain after being struck by a drunk driver may experience daily limitations, sleep disruption, and ongoing medical treatment. These non-economic damages recognize how persistent pain affects your overall quality of life.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Loss of enjoyment of life compensates victims for the inability to participate in activities they once valued. For instance, a person who suffers from an amputated arm may no longer engage in hobbies, sports, or hands-on work they previously enjoyed.
Loss of Consortium
Serious drunk driving injuries can strain marital and family relationships. Loss of consortium damages compensate a spouse or family member for diminished companionship, affection, and support.
A drunk driving accident lawyer can prove these losses using:
- Spouse or family testimony describing relationship changes
- Medical records showing physical or emotional limitations
- Counseling or therapy records
- Statements detailing loss of household or parental support
- Expert opinions regarding long-term relational impact
Permanent Disability or Disfigurement
If a drunk driving crash causes permanent disability or visible disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation. For example, injuries resulting in reduced earning capacity may prevent you from performing your prior job or force an early career change. These damages consider lifelong medical needs, income loss, and lasting physical limitations.
Punitive Damages
A judge may award you punitive damages to punish especially reckless behavior and deter similar conduct. Because driving under the influence shows a conscious disregard for safety, Texas courts may impose punitive damages in addition to compensatory awards, increasing the total recovery available to injured victims.
How Much Can You Sue a Drunk Driver
There is no standard value you can sue for your injuries after a drunk driving accident. The amount you can sue a drunk driver for depends on the specific facts of your case and the harm you suffered.
Here are the factors that influence how much you can sue for drunk driving:
Severity of Injury
The severity of your injuries can determine whether you'll receive a lower or a higher settlement value. Catastrophic injuries, such as severe burns, spinal damage, or amputations, typically result in higher claims.
The higher settlement values cover extensive treatment and lasting limitations associated with severe injuries. Even moderate injuries may justify substantial compensation if they lead to chronic pain or permanent impairment.
Insurance Coverage of the Negligent Party
Insurance coverage of the at-fault party is the source of compensation for the injured victims. Therefore, their insurance coverage limits can determine how much you'll receive for your losses.
Drunk drivers operating golf carts, ATVs, or side-by-sides may be covered by auto, recreational vehicle, homeowner's, or umbrella policies. If they hold minimum state-required coverage, they may restrict how much you can sue for your losses.
A drunk driving accident attorney can identify all applicable insurance sources to expand the available compensation, particularly when injuries are severe.
Duration of Recovery Period
Longer recovery periods often increase the value of a claim. Extended medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work raise both economic and non-economic damages. When injuries prevent a return to normal activities for months or longer, compensation may reflect the prolonged disruption to daily life.
Quality of Legal Representation
Strong legal representation can enhance the value of a drunk driving accident claim. Here's how a drunk driving accident attorney can enhance the value of your claim:
- Conducting an investigation and preserving evidence
- Identifying all liable parties and insurance policies
- Documenting future medical and financial losses
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
- Preparing the case for trial to strengthen settlement leverage
Shared Liability
Texas follows a shared liability system, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you share fault for the accident. For example, if total damages are valued at $500,000 and you are found 20 percent responsible, your recovery would be reduced by $100,000, leaving $400,000.
If fault is assessed at 40 percent, your compensation would be reduced by $200,000, resulting in a $300,000 recovery. However, if you are found 51 percent or more responsible, Texas law bars you from recovering any compensation.
How to Prove Drinking and Driving
Establishing that a driver was intoxicated requires compelling evidence that demonstrates impairment beyond a reasonable doubt. A drunk driving accident attorney can employ multiple forms of evidence to build a strong case and secure compensation for your losses.
A drunk driving accident lawyer can prove fault using these sources of evidence:
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Test Results
A drunk driving accident lawyer can obtain official BAC test results from breathalyzer, blood, or urine tests administered at the scene or hospital. These scientific measurements show whether the driver exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent. They can also subpoena these records and challenge any procedural errors in testing to strengthen your claim.
Police Reports and Officer Observations
Law enforcement documentation provides firsthand accounts of the driver's condition. A drunk driving accident attorney can analyze police reports detailing observations like slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, unsteady gait, and alcohol odor. Officer testimony regarding failed sobriety tests becomes powerful courtroom evidence.
Field Sobriety Test Results
A drunk driving accident lawyer can examine how the driver performed on standardized tests like the walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus. Failed tests indicate impairment, and video footage of these tests provides undeniable visual proof for insurance negotiations or a trial.
Witness Testimony
A drunk driving accident attorney can interview passengers, bystanders, and other motorists who observed erratic driving behavior before the crash. Witnesses may testify about seeing the driver swerving, speeding excessively, or leaving a bar intoxicated.
Surveillance and Dashcam Footage
Video evidence from traffic cameras, business security systems, or dashcams captures the driver's dangerous behavior and crash circumstances. A drunk driving accident lawyer can work quickly to secure this footage before it's erased, providing juries with compelling visual documentation.
Don’t Let Insurers Undervalue Your Drunk Driving Claim
You may endure financial strain after sustaining an injury caused by a drunk driver in a Golf Cart, ATV, or side-by-side. For example, a back injury that requires months of physical therapy can leave you in debt.
Our drunk driving accident attorney at Lorenz & Lorenz has years of experience representing victims of drunk driving. You can, therefore, count on us to pursue a settlement value or court award that will enhance your recovery or help you cope with the injury.
Contact us for a free case review.
Drunk Driving Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do When I’m Hit by a Drunk Driver?
After being hit by a drunk driver, seek immediate medical attention to document injuries. File a police crash report to create an official record of the incident and suspected intoxication. You should also consult a drunk driving accident lawyer to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
Will My Case Settle Before Trial?
Most drunk driving cases settle before trial because evidence of intoxication strengthens your position. Insurance companies often negotiate to avoid public trials and potential punitive damages.
However, settlement timing depends on injury severity, liability clarity, and the defendant's willingness to offer fair compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim?
In Texas, you typically have two years from the drunk driving crash date to file an injury claim, regardless of vehicle type, including golf carts, ATVs, or side-by-sides. Missing this statute of limitations deadline bars your lawsuit permanently.