Why Let Mullen & Mullen Take on Your Drunk Driving Injury Claim?
Because we represent so many drunk driving accident victims, we understand the devastating consequences they experience. Such incidents affect not only the victims, but also their families and communities as well. As dedicated drunk driving accident lawyers in Plano, we are fully committed to seeking justice for those who have been harmed, or even killed, by drunk drivers.
In addition to our experience, we also approach the situation with great compassion. You don’t need any more stress on your plate. You can count on our team to listen to and care for every one of your needs. We will help you navigate the complex legal process and fight to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
Insurance companies know our name and track record.
Per TopVerdict, we’ve accumulated 43 of the “Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements” in Texas over the past 3 years. During one of those years, we had 19 of the “Top 50” results. All 19 were for people injured in motor vehicle collisions.
One of our cases made the Top 10. Eight others were found in positions 11-20. The final ten cases ranked in positions 21-50. This proven track record, along with our discounted 29% contingency fee, means we can confidently say that we will put more money in your pocket than other drunk driving lawyers.
You never pay any fees until after your claim has been settled.
Schedule your free consultation now by calling (972) 947-3370 and let Mullen & Mullen’s experienced lawyers provide you with legal guidance and fight to maximize your compensation.
Don’t hesitate to take advantage of our reduced 29% pre-suit contingency fee.
This is available to you if your claim settles without us having to file a lawsuit. Remember that you never pay anything until after your claim settles. Schedule your free consultation now and let Mullen & Mullen give you the legal support you need during this difficult time in your life.
Our Expertise
We have a deep understanding of all the complexities that surround drunk driving accidents. Mullen & Mullen has been operating for over 40 years, and our drunk driving accident lawyers based in Plano have more than 95 years of combined experience holding drunk drivers accountable for their grossly negligent actions.
We understand how alcohol-related crashes work and meticulously investigate every detail. If the driver was already obviously drunk and overserved at a restaurant or bar, we will also work to hold that establishment responsible under a “Dram Shop” cause of action. We routinely settle for full policy limits on drunk driving injury claims – without the filing of a lawsuit! This means you put more of YOUR settlement money in your pocket.
Diagnostic & Medical Treatment at No Upfront Cost
If you’re involved in a drunk driving accident, our firm will make sure you get the medical attention you need and deserve. Unfortunately, many doctors are reluctant to treat drunk driving victims because they don’t want to get involved in a complicated legal matter. This can be the case even if you have health insurance. However, we have relationships with doctors who have no problem being involved with the legal system. Unlike other medical institutions and professionals, they happily delay billing until after your claim is settled! We’ve been able to establish these relationships because we’ve been in business for more than four decades. Understand that not all drunk driving accident lawyers in the Plano area can offer you this benefit!
Comprehensive Legal Representation
Choosing Mullen & Mullen means you can expect comprehensive legal representation tailored to your specific circumstances. Each case is unique, and because we’re a smaller firm based on personal service, we take the time to establish a real relationship with every client. Our experienced team gathers evidence, consults with experts, interviews witnesses, and frequently reconstructs the events that led up to your accident. Once we’ve compiled all this information, we create a compelling case to hold the drunk driver, and sometimes the bar or restaurant who overserved them, accountable for their actions.
Support and Compassion
A drunk driving accident can be emotionally and physically traumatic, and possibly even life changing. We’ve been in business for more than 40 years and have a deep knowledge of the far-reaching consequences of a drunk driving accident. Our team understands how to provide compassionate support as the legal process plays out. Our attorneys listen to your concerns and are happy to address any questions you have. You will be kept informed as your case progresses. Our goal lies in making this process as easy as possible for you and your loved ones. This allows you to focus on your recovery while our attorneys fight to maximize your compensation.
Client Testimonials
Jimmy Casillas on Google said:
Mullen and Mullen Law Firm is fantastic. I highly recommend them. They helped me and my wife both get max policy on our wreck that happened in The Colony from a drunk driver. Thank y’all we are really happy with the outcome…
Katherine Petty on Google said:
I couldn’t be more pleased with Mullen & Mullen Law Firm! They came to me after being hit by a drunk driver in The Colony TX. They helped me through everything that seemed so stressful to do on my own. I received the full pay out for the policy limit. Thank you so much for taking care of all my needs. I definitely recommend this law firm for any car accident. Joseph Morrison was my attorney. He was wonderful!
Mike Whoa on Google said:
I was hit by a drunk driver in the middle of the freeway. She ran so it was a hit and run. I called the insurance company, and it was hell to get things started up. So, I involved a lawyer. Suddenly things started to change. I was getting treatment for my injuries and finally got my rental. But Shane didn’t stop there; he gave me a sum of money that allowed me to help all the people I know and start a small business. I got into this same situation with another lawyer, and I got 1/3 of what Shane got me. Plain and Simple if you’re not with Shane Mullen you’re losing money. Grade A Lawyer.
Advocacy and Trial Experience
It’s also our goal to settle every claim without having to go to court. This saves you a lot of time and money. However, it’s not always possible to come to a reasonable agreement pre-suit. We will not hesitate to recommend litigation if that’s your best option. Fortunately, our lawyers have extensive litigation experience. Our mission is getting you the maximum compensation possible, whether that involves going to court or not.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driving accident in the Plano area, call our team of experienced lawyers today. We offer free consultations. During your free consultation, we will:
- Assess your case.
- Discuss your legal options.
- Offer guidance on how to best proceed.
It’s important to contact us as soon as possible because there are legal deadlines that must be met and critical evidence to be preserved. Let our skilled team of drunk driving law experts fight for max compensation on your behalf.
Remember, the consultation is yours free. You have absolutely no obligation to hire us on the spot.
FAQs About Drunk Driving Injury Claims & Texas Law
Below, you will find frequently asked questions and detailed answers regarding Texas law and drunk driving accidents.
Are you entitled to punitive damages if injured by a drunk driver?
Likely. Punitive damages are not guaranteed but are designed to punish grossly negligent conduct and to send a message to those who might choose to engage in the same behavior. Punitive damages are routinely awarded in drunk driving cases, and we will certainly fight to get them awarded on your behalf.
How do you prove the drunk driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident?
There are several ways to prove a motorist was intoxicated. The most common of these is to utilize the evidence the investigating officer obtained to arrest the at-fault driver on suspicion of DWI or DUI. The most compelling evidence is usually the results of any blood alcohol level testing as well as officer body worn camera footage when available.
We currently employ two in-house accident investigators who will promptly acquire a copy of the Texas Peace Officer’s crash report, if available. In addition, our team will submit an open records request to all relevant law enforcement agencies. This request seeks to get all documents relevant to your accident. Such documents can include officer notes, witness statements, and body camera footage.
Additionally, we will monitor the advancement of any criminal charges and stay in close communication with prosecutors, if possible.
Finally, we will conduct a thorough background search for the driver who hit you. During this search, we will find out the financial resources the driver has available, as well as their prior criminal history (if applicable).
What if the police didn’t investigate my wreck? Is it still possible to prove the other driver was drunk or high?
If the police didn’t investigate your wreck, it’s much more difficult (but not completely impossible) to prove that the at-fault driver was drunk or high. Your testimony alone may be enough to prove that the other driver was drunk or high when they caused your accident.
For example, you may have witnessed the other driver discarding beer cans, speaking incoherently, stumbling, or struggling to maintain their balance. They may have smelled like alcohol. You may also have witnessed other behavior which could have indicated they were drunk or high. In any of these cases, you would be permitted to testify about such facts.
It’s also important to understand that confirming that the other driver was intoxicated without police presence is easier if another independent witness provides testimony that corroborates yours.
How can our attorneys help you with this?
Our experienced accident investigators will do everything in their power to locate and interview all witnesses who can testify about the words and actions of the at-fault party after your accident. Our investigators know how to canvass areas to identify potential witnesses. They also routinely obtain sworn affidavits from such witnesses.
Information on Setting Up Proper Insurance Claims After a Drunk Driving Accident
After a drunk driving accident, you should file insurance claims with all relevant carriers as soon as you possibly can. The faster you file your claims, the sooner your vehicle will be repaired or replaced.
What insurance claims should you file?
Potentially, you can file the below insurance claims, depending on your situation:
You can file a liability claim against the drunk driver, seeking compensation for property and injury damages.
You may also be able to file a liability claim against the impaired driver’s employer if they were working at the time of your accident. This type of claim covers property and injury damages.
You can also file a liability claim against the owner of a motor vehicle if they negligently entrusted the vehicle to a drunk or impaired driver. This type of claim would again give you access to property and injury damages.
What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance? Relax. You can file a claim through your own auto insurance’s uninsured motorist policy.
What if your damages (the amount of money you want to collect) exceed the insurance limits of the drunk or impaired driver?
In this situation, you can file a claim with your own insurance’s underinsured motorist policy.
You can file a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim with your own auto insurance carrier. This type of claim works to reimburse the medical bills and lost wages you incur because of your accident.
If a bar or restaurant overserved an obviously intoxicated person, you can file a “Dram Shop” action against that bar or restaurant.
Immediately at the beginning of your case, our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys will file all the necessary claims with the appropriate insurance carriers.
Interestingly, you may also be covered under a household policy – even if you don’t personally own a vehicle.
Should you repair or replace your vehicle?
While insurance companies can make this process difficult, we are always happy to help make sure your property damage claim is handled as promptly as possible. We will fight to make sure you get the most value for your vehicle if it has been totaled and can assist with diminished value if your vehicle is repairable.
Should you take your car to the auto repair shop recommended by the at-fault party’s insurance carrier?
The answer is an emphatic “No!” Insurance carriers want to evaluate your vehicle’s value so that it comes out as low as possible. You have the right to take your vehicle to whatever auto repair shop you want. Do that instead.
Are you entitled to a rental car?
Yes. In most cases, you are entitled to a rental car after a drunk driving accident. However, that’s not the case once your car has been deemed a “total loss.” If your car is “totaled,” then you are only entitled to recover the fair market value of your car. Most carriers, however, will pay for a rental car until yours has been determined to be a “total loss.”
Usually, the quickest way to get access to a rental vehicle is to file a property damage claim with your own insurance company and request a rental vehicle (if you have that coverage available). You will probably have to pay your deductible amount. However, you should get that amount refunded to you once the at-fault party’s insurer pays for the cost of the repairs and/or replacement value.
Securing a Law Loan
Can you get a loan against your injury claim?
Most likely, you can. To get access to the actual loan itself, however, you will most likely need an attorney. Our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys work with all major law loan companies to get you nearly immediate access to the financial assistance you need.
Getting Medical Treatment After Your Accident
Is it possible to get medical treatment, even if you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford your deductible?
Yes, absolutely. Because we’ve been in business for more than 40 years, we have established relationships with local leaders in the medical industry. They’re willing to delay billing until your case settles. We work with every imaginable type of medical professional and institution to make this happen. This includes orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, hospitals, and more.
What happens if your health insurer pays a portion of your medical bills prior to your claim settling?
In this case, the health insurer is usually entitled to have their expenses reimbursed if you end up recovering funds from someone for your accident. This is commonly called “subrogation.” Understand that our attorneys can almost always get you a ⅓ reduction on any applicable health insurance lien. In many cases, this ⅓ reduction alone covers the cost of our contingent fees.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover Against the Drunk Driver that Injured You in Texas
What damages can you recover if you’re the victim in a drunk driving accident?
Available damages you can recover generally fall into two categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages include:
- Past and current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Vehicle repair costs, or the replacement value of your vehicle
- Diminished value of your car following repair
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not as “objective”. They include things such as:
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future impairment
- Mental anguish in the past and future
With more than 95 years of combined experience, we can maximize your financial recovery and fully develop your damage model. If necessary, we will retain all the experts needed to establish both liability and damages.
As an example of this, in the past we retained economists and vocational rehabilitation consultants to flesh out our client’s claims for loss of earning capacity in the future. We also retain life-care planners to estimate your future medical costs and to evaluate any necessary accommodation due to injuries inflicted by the drunk driver.
Injury Cases Against Plano Bars & Restaurants for Over-Serving Alcohol to a Driver
What if a bar or restaurant overserved the driver who caused your accident?
If you were injured by a drunk driver, or if your loved one was killed, you can file a liability claim against a bar or restaurant if they overserved the drunk driver. Called “Dram Shop” cases, these require you to demonstrate that the bar or restaurant overserved an obviously intoxicated individual.
If you or your loved one were hurt by a drunk driver, call our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys based in Plano today for a free consultation at: (972) 947-3370. The consultation is free and there is absolutely no obligation to hire us.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation
Call (972) 947-3370 to talk to a Plano drunk driving accident injury attorney right now. We won’t put any pressure on you to hire us on the spot. Simply learn how we’ll approach your case and get some excellent free advice. Make your decision only when you feel 100% ready. Do remember though, that the Texas statute of limitations gives you just 2 years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
We’ll come to your home or hospital room if it makes it easier on you! Phone and Zoom consultations are also available. You can call us, or use the form or chat feature on this page to request a free consultation now.
Seriously Hurt? We’ll Come to You!
PLANO OFFICE
Mullen & Mullen Law Firm in Plano0
8105 Rasor Boulevard #237
Plano, TX 75024
Call (972) 947-3370 today!
By Appointment Only
Plano Drunk Driving Resources
