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Houston DWI Causing Injury Lawyer
by Brian LaVine / Last Updated: September 6, 2025
Houston DWI Causing Injury Lawyer

If you're facing a DWI charge involving injury in Houston, it is a serious matter. Not only can a conviction result in prison time and fines, but it may also have lasting effects on your life and future. Drunk driving accidents that lead to injury can be life-changing for everyone involved.

At LaVine Law Firm, we are dedicated to defending clients against these severe charges. Our Houston DWI causing injury lawyer has experience handling such complex cases and is committed to helping you protect your rights. If you’ve been accused of causing harm in a drunk driving accident, we are here to help you through this challenging situation.

Our Houston DWI Causing Injury Lawyer Fights for Your Rights

At LaVine Law Firm, our Houston DWI lawyers are committed to aggressively defending your rights. We understand that being accused of DWI causing injury can be overwhelming and stressful. Our team will work closely with you to build a robust defense, ensuring that every aspect of your case is thoroughly explored.

We provide personalized legal strategies to ensure that your defense is as strong as possible. Whether the case involves drunk driving crashes or a personal injury lawsuit, we will help you pursue the best possible outcome. You can trust us to protect your interests and fight for your future.

Understanding DWI Causing Injury in Texas

Understanding DWI Causing Injury in Texas

A DWI causing injury in Texas occurs when a drunk driver causes harm to another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This offense is taken very seriously under Texas law.

If you are involved in a drunk driving accident, the law holds you accountable for the injuries or damages caused by your actions. The legal standards for this offense are high, and anyone convicted faces significant consequences. A drunk driving accident lawyer can help face the complex legal issues involved in these cases.

Key Differences Between DWI and DWI Causing Injury

A DWI charge refers to driving while intoxicated, but a DWI causing injury involves causing harm to another person while driving under the influence. The difference lies in the impact of the driver’s actions.

DWI causing injury charges are more serious because they include the physical harm caused to the accident victims. If the victim sustains serious injuries, the driver faces both criminal penalties and potential civil liability, which is not the case with a standard DWI charge.

Legal Consequences of DWI Causing Injury in Texas

The consequences of being charged with DWI causing injury are severe and can affect both your criminal and civil liabilities. A drunk driving accident involving injuries can result in significant criminal penalties, including prison time, fines, and probation.

In addition to criminal penalties, the drunk driver may also face a drunk driving lawsuit from the victim, leading to financial compensation claims for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This case can also lead to a personal injury trial, further complicating the legal process.

Criminal Penalties for DWI Causing Injury

If convicted of DWI causing injury, the penalties can be severe:

  • Second-degree felony charge
  • 2 to 20 years in prison, depending on the severity of the accident
  • Hefty fines and the potential to pay restitution to the victim for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses

These penalties are meant to reflect the seriousness of causing harm due to drunk driving. A Houston personal injury lawyer can help defend your rights and help you understand these consequences.

Civil Liability for Injuries Caused by DWI

DWI causing injury also opens the door for civil liability. Victims of drunk driving accidents can file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue:

  • Compensation for injuries sustained in the accident
  • Medical expenses for treatment related to the injuries
  • Lost income from time missed at work
  • Emotional distress caused by the trauma

This is a separate legal process from the criminal case. A personal injury attorney can help you understand the civil process and guide you through legal representation to defend against personal injury claims.

Possible Defenses Against DWI Causing Injury Charges

Possible Defenses Against DWI Causing Injury Charges

If you are facing a DWI causing injury charge, several defenses may be available to challenge the evidence and reduce the impact on your case. A drunk driving accident attorney can help identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case.

Possible defenses include challenging the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results, questioning the legality of the traffic stop, or disputing the severity of the injury. Your legal team will carefully examine all the details of the case to identify the most effective defense strategies, ensuring that your legal rights are protected throughout the legal process.

Challenging the BAC Test Results

In a drunk driving car accident, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests are often a key piece of evidence. If the BAC test was improperly conducted or if the blood alcohol concentration was inaccurately measured, your lawyer may challenge the results.

For example, if the drunk driving accident occurred soon after drinking, the test may not reflect your actual level of intoxication. A drunk driving accident attorney will investigate whether the test procedure followed Texas DWI laws and challenge any inconsistencies to strengthen your defense.

Illegal Traffic Stops and Search Procedures

One potential defense in a drunk driving accident case is challenging the legality of the traffic stop or search procedures. If the Houston drunk driver was pulled over without reasonable cause or if evidence was gathered illegally, this may result in the exclusion of key evidence.

For example, if an intoxicated driver was stopped without a valid reason, any evidence gathered during the stop could be dismissed. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will review the police report and any other relevant documents to ensure that the stop and subsequent actions were conducted in compliance with the law.

Disputing the Severity of the Injury

In some cases, the severity of the injury caused by a drunk driver's hit may be disputed. Traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, or other injuries that result from the drunk driving accident may not be as serious as claimed.

By examining medical records and consulting with experts, your personal injury lawyer can argue that the injuries sustained were not caused by the accident or were not as severe as claimed by the accident victims. This could reduce the charges or penalties you face and help in negotiating a fair settlement.

The Role of LaVine Law Firm in DWI Causing Injury Cases

At LaVine Law Firm, we have extensive experience in defending clients accused of drunk driving causing injury in Houston. Our Houston drunk driving accident attorney works diligently to provide personalized legal services and aggressive defense strategies.

If you’ve been charged in a drunk driving accident case, we are committed to reducing the impact of the charges against you. We focus on helping clients fight for a fair outcome, whether through personal injury lawsuits, negotiations with insurance companies, or courtroom representation. Our team works hard to help you pursue maximum compensation while defending your legal rights.

Investigating the Incident and Gathering Evidence

To build a solid defense, we thoroughly investigate every detail of the drunk driving accident. We review the police report, gather eyewitness statements, and collect medical records that could be used to defend the charges.

Our legal team collaborates with experts, including accident reconstructionists, to uncover the facts and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution's case. By carefully examining the evidence, we can dispute the drunk driver’s actions and identify any flaws that may lead to a favorable outcome for our clients. Our goal is to ensure you’re fully informed about every aspect of your drunk driving accident case.

Negotiating with Prosecutors for Reduced Charges

In many cases, we work directly with prosecutors to negotiate reduced charges or better sentencing for our clients. If you are facing a drunk driving offense, our criminal defense lawyers will fight to minimize the penalties. This may include negotiating a plea deal or seeking a reduced sentence based on the details of the case.

We focus on reducing the impact on your future, especially if wrongful death or serious injury claims are involved. Our legal team uses evidence, witness statements, and in-depth knowledge of Texas DWI laws to help reduce the severity of the charges. Our mission is to help you recover compensation and avoid unnecessary penalties for drunk driving accidents.

The Impact of a DWI Causing Injury Conviction on Your Future

The Impact of a DWI Causing Injury Conviction on Your Future

A DWI causing injury conviction can have significant long-term effects on many areas of your life. Not only do you face criminal penalties, but your personal injury cases or drunk driving accident might leave lasting damage. The drunk driving accident victims and their medical treatment may cause added challenges, but it’s important to understand the long-term consequences of such a conviction. Texas DWI laws are strict, and a conviction can have a significant impact on your future, both professionally and personally, as well as financially.

Long-Term Consequences for Employment and Personal Life

A DWI causing injury conviction can drastically affect your ability to secure future employment. Employers may be hesitant to hire individuals with a criminal record, particularly for positions that require driving or involve sensitive responsibilities. This can make it difficult to rebuild your professional life.

Additionally, this conviction can strain personal relationships, as people may see you differently or choose to distance themselves. A personal injury law firm can help you fight to reduce the impact of a drunk driving accident charge on your life and restore your reputation.

Impact on Your Driving Privileges

A DWI causing injury conviction in Harris County can lead to the suspension of your driving privileges. This can make it incredibly difficult to get to work, take care of family, or live your daily life. LaVine Law Firm can help you seek compensation or reduce the penalties by pursuing legal actions to regain your driving privileges. This could help prevent further damage to your professional life and personal responsibilities. With the right legal guidance, you may be able to recover your driving rights after a drunk driving case.

FAQs

What is the penalty for DWI causing injury in Texas?

A DWI causing injury conviction in Texas can result in serious consequences. Penalties may include prison time, fines, probation, and mandatory alcohol education programs. Additionally, the driver may face civil liability, including lawsuits from the injury victims for damages caused by the accident. These civil claims could cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

Can a DWI causing injury charge be reduced in Houston?

Yes, in some cases, it may be possible to reduce a DWI causing injury charge through plea bargaining or legal defenses. An experienced attorney can review the case and negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges. The Texas Dram Shop Act may also be a factor in reducing liability in some cases if an establishment served alcohol to an intoxicated driver.

How long will my driver’s license be suspended after being charged with a DWI causing injury?

The length of the suspension depends on several factors, including the severity of the charge and prior offenses. License suspension periods typically range from several months to a few years. In Houston, car accidents can significantly impact your daily life, making it essential to consult a lawyer to help you understand your options for regaining your driving privileges.

Can I avoid jail time for a DWI conviction involving injury?

With the help of an experienced DWI accident lawyer, it is possible to avoid jail time in certain cases. Depending on the circumstances of your case, probation, reduced charges, or alternative sentencing may be available. A strong legal defense can also help reduce penalties or even avoid a criminal case altogether.

What if the injury in my case is minor?

Even if the injury in your case seems minor, you could still face serious charges. However, the severity of the injury can impact the penalties and may be used to argue for a reduction in charges. Minor injuries might lead to lesser charges, but a drunk driving accident attorney can help navigate the defense based on these details.

How long does a DWI causing injury case take to resolve in Houston?

The length of time to resolve a DWI-causing injury case can vary. In most cases, it takes several months to over a year to resolve, depending on the court's schedule and the complexity of the case. For cases involving serious injury victims, like those suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, the process may take longer due to additional investigations and medical evaluations.

Contact Our Houston DWI Causing Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation

Contact Our Houston DWI Causing Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one is facing drunk driving accident charges in Houston, it’s important to have a dedicated attorney by your side. At LaVine Law Firm, we specialize in DWI cases involving injury and are committed to helping clients secure the best possible outcome.

With our complimentary legal consultation, we can assess your case, outline your options, and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed. Don’t face these charges alone. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation, and let us advocate for your rights and help you pursue compensation.

Brian LaVine
owner & managing attorney
About The Author
Brian, a University of Texas at Austin graduate, earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in December 2014, specializing in criminal law and trial advocacy.

During law school, he was a mock trial quarterfinalist and also interned at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, gaining valuable courtroom and prosecutorial insight.

With extensive experience in misdemeanor and felony cases, Brian is dedicated to providing an aggressive defense, outworking the prosecution to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.
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