Drunk Driving Accident Attorney In El Paso

Legal Help After A Drunk Driving Crash

If you were injured because another driver chose to drink and get behind the wheel in El Paso, you may be dealing with pain, medical bills, and a lot of unanswered questions. You should not have to carry these burdens alone. Our team is here to help you understand your options and protect your future.

At Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, we represent people who have been hurt in alcohol-related crashes. We focus on defending our clients' rights and futures, and we work to guide them through the legal process with clear advice and steady support. We offer free consultations for personal injury cases, and for those matters, we have a No Fees Unless We Win policy.

Attorney Ruben Ortiz has been practicing law since 1998. Our firm is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico, and we know how crashes in this border region can affect your life. When you contact us, we listen to your story, discuss your concerns, and explain how a drunk driving accident attorney in El Paso can help you move forward.

Call (915) 308-8850 to schedule your consultation today, or get in touch with us online using our easy-to-use online contact form.

Why Injured Victims Turn To Our Team

After a drunk driving crash, you are likely looking for more than a name on a billboard. You want a law office that will actually listen, prepare your case carefully, and keep you informed. That is the way we approach every personal injury matter we accept. We take time to understand how the crash has affected your health, work, and family life before we build a strategy.

Ruben Ortiz has handled serious legal problems for clients since 1998. Over those years, he has developed a reputation for standing up for people's rights in difficult situations. Our team uses that experience to anticipate challenges, evaluate evidence carefully, and prepare your case thoroughly. We aim to give you a clear picture of your options rather than pushing you into a quick decision.

Many crashes in this area involve drivers and vehicles that cross state lines between Texas and New Mexico. Because we are licensed in both states, we are prepared to navigate issues that can come up when laws and insurance policies intersect across borders. This can be especially important when the at-fault driver or vehicle owner is based outside Texas, and the crash happens in or around El Paso.

We also understand how stressful it can be to think about paying a lawyer while medical bills are piling up. For personal injury cases, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. Our policy is No Fees Unless We Win, and we use a reduced contingency fee structure compared to many firms. This means our fee is a percentage of any recovery, and if there is no recovery in an injury case that we accept on contingency, you owe us no attorney fees for that case.

Drunk Driving Crashes In El Paso

Alcohol-related crashes can happen on any road, at any time, but there are patterns that many victims in this area recognize. Late at night or on weekends, traffic on Interstate 10, U.S. 54, or major surface streets can include drivers who have been drinking at bars, private gatherings, or events. A split-second decision by a drunk driver can change your life, even if you were doing everything right.

In Texas, it is illegal to drive while intoxicated, and criminal DWI or DUI charges are often filed in state courts located in El Paso County after a serious crash. Victims and their families may find themselves watching a criminal case while also trying to recover physically and financially. It can be confusing to understand what the criminal process does and what it does not do for your personal situation.

The criminal case generally focuses on punishment and deterrence for the driver who broke the law. Your injury claim is a separate civil matter that is focused on compensation for what you have lost. We work to help you pursue that compensation, which can include medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, even while a criminal case is pending.

Many people in this region receive emergency care at facilities such as University Medical Center of El Paso or other area hospitals after a serious crash. You might be transported by ambulance from the scene, or you may choose to visit a hospital or clinic later when symptoms worsen. However you reach medical care, it is important to document your injuries and follow your providers' recommendations. These records often become vital evidence in a civil claim.

Our firm has helped clients who have had their daily routines disrupted by medical appointments, therapy, and the need to arrange childcare or transportation while their vehicle is being repaired or replaced. We understand how those day-to-day challenges affect you, and we take them into account when we explain the legal process and potential outcomes.

What To Do After A Drunk Driving Crash

Right after a drunk driving crash, you may feel disoriented and unsure where to start. Your priority should always be safety and health. If you can do so safely, move yourself and others out of the path of traffic and call 911. Tell the dispatcher about any injuries and wait for emergency responders to arrive.

Even if you think you are not badly hurt, it is important to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries, such as concussions, soft tissue damage, or internal injuries, may not show their full effects right away. Seeing a doctor soon after the crash protects your health, and it also creates a record that can support your personal injury claim later.

When law enforcement officers come to the scene, they will typically investigate and may conduct field sobriety tests or gather other evidence of impairment. Answer their questions honestly, but avoid guessing about details you are not sure of. You do not need to argue about fault with the other driver. The officers and, later, courts and insurers will review the facts.

If you are physically able, gathering your own information can also help. Take photos or videos of the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses who saw what happened. Make a note of anything you observed about the drunk driver's behavior, such as slurred speech or the smell of alcohol, while those details are fresh in your mind.

Soon after the crash, you may hear from insurance companies. An adjuster might ask for a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement. Before you provide detailed statements or accept any offer, it is wise to talk with a drunk driving accident lawyer in El Paso. Our team can review the situation, explain your rights, and help you avoid decisions that may limit your ability to recover full compensation.

How We Help Victims Of Drunk Drivers

Once you contact our office, we begin by listening carefully to what happened and how you are doing. We want to understand not just the crash itself, but also how your injuries are affecting your work, family, and daily life. That conversation helps us identify your priorities and the information we need to evaluate your potential claim.

We typically review police reports, crash scene information, and available medical records related to the collision. We may also monitor any related criminal DWI case filed in El Paso County, because developments in that case can provide useful information for the civil matter. Our goal is to build a clear picture of what occurred, how the driver was impaired, and how that conduct caused your injuries.

It is common for people to wonder whether they can bring a claim if the criminal case has not concluded or if the driver pleads guilty to a different charge. The civil claim follows its own path. We focus on proving negligence and damages under personal injury law, and we work to pursue compensation regardless of the exact criminal outcome, as long as the facts support a civil claim.

Compensation in a drunk driving injury case can include several categories. You may be able to seek payment for medical treatment you have already received, such as emergency care, surgery, or therapy. You may also pursue the cost of future treatment if your doctors expect ongoing care. Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and non-economic harms such as physical pain and emotional distress are often part of the discussion as well.

Throughout this process, we keep communication a priority. We strive to return calls, answer questions, and explain each step in plain language. We want you to understand what is happening and why, so you can make informed decisions about settlement offers and other important choices.

For personal injury matters, our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees up front, and our fee is a percentage of any recovery. We have a No Fees Unless We Win policy for those cases, and we use a reduced contingency fee structure. This arrangement is designed to reduce financial stress while we focus on pursuing your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a conviction to bring a claim?

No, a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil injury claim. The civil case has a different legal standard and focuses on negligence and damages. We review the facts, including any criminal case records, and advise you about your options even if the criminal outcome is uncertain.

How much will it cost to hire your firm?

For personal injury cases from drunk driving crashes, we offer a free consultation and work on contingency. You do not pay attorney fees up front. Our No Fees Unless We Win policy and reduced contingency fees mean our payment comes from a portion of any recovery, not from your pocket at the start.

Will I have to go to court for my case?

Many drunk driving injury claims are resolved through settlement without a trial, although some do proceed to court. Whether your case goes to court can depend on liability disputes, insurance coverage, and settlement offers. We prepare your case carefully and discuss the options with you at each stage.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Texas law generally gives injured people a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit, often measured from the date of the crash. However, specific deadlines can vary based on the situation. It is best to contact us as soon as possible so we can review your timeline.

What if the drunk driver has no insurance?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or has low limits, there may still be options. We look at potential coverage, such as your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy and any other available sources. After reviewing your insurance and the crash details, we explain what paths may exist for recovery.

Talk With Our Team Today

You do not have to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, and legal questions on your own after a drunk driving crash in this area. Our team at Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz is here to answer your questions and help you understand how the law may apply to your situation.

When you reach out to us, you get the benefit of decades of legal practice, a firm rooted in El Paso, and an attorney licensed in both Texas and New Mexico. We focus on personalized attention, thorough preparation, and a client-first approach. For personal injury cases, we offer free consultations and No Fees Unless We Win, with reduced contingency fees to ease financial pressure.

If you were injured by a drunk driver and want to learn about your options, we invite you to speak with our team. Your consultation is confidential, and it is simply a chance to get clear information so you can decide what is right for you.

Call (915) 308-8850 to speak with our team today.