How Criminal DUI Charges Affect Your Civil Accident Claim in Big Spring 

Driving under the influence is one of the most reckless and dangerous choices a person can make. In Big Spring, where roads are already busy with oilfield traffic, commercial vehicles, and local families, the consequences can be devastating. DUI crashes are 100% preventable, which makes them especially heartbreaking for victims. At Anderson Alexander (A2X), we’ve seen the life-altering injuries, financial losses, and emotional trauma these accidents cause, and we fight tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable while helping victims secure the compensation they need to rebuild. 

   

If you were injured by a drunk or impaired driver in Big Spring, you may be wondering how the criminal case affects your ability to file a personal injury claim. The short answer is this: the criminal DUI case and your civil injury claim are separate, but they can both move forward at the same time, and one can strengthen the other. A2X is here to guide you through this process, explain your rights, and help you pursue a civil claim that reflects the full impact of what you’ve endured. 

 

Criminal DUI Charges vs. Civil Personal Injury Claims: The Key Differences

Many people assume that because the impaired driver is facing criminal charges, they automatically receive compensation. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The State of Texas brings a criminal DUI case, and its goal is to punish the wrongdoer, not compensate the victim. 

   

A civil personal injury claim, on the other hand, is brought by you, and its goal is to help you recover financially and physically from what happened. 

   

Criminal DUI Case (State of Texas): 

  • Prosecuted by the government. 
  • Determines guilt or innocence. 
  • Focuses on punishment (jail, fines, probation, etc.). 
  • Does not pay the victim for their injuries. 

   

Civil Personal Injury Claim (Your Case): 

  • Filed by you with the help of A2X. 
  • Seeks financial compensation for your injuries and losses. 
  • Can continue regardless of the criminal case’s outcome. 
  • Can seek damages not available in criminal court. 

 

Both cases can move forward at the same time. The criminal DUI arrest or conviction often creates robust evidence that strengthens your civil case, making it easier to prove negligence and liability. 

 

How a DUI Arrest or Conviction Strengthens Your Civil Claim

If the driver who hit you was arrested or charged with DUI, that information immediately supports your claim that they were acting recklessly, and recklessness is a key factor in proving civil liability. Even if the criminal case is still pending, the arrest itself can show probable cause that the driver was impaired. 

   

A conviction, however, is even more powerful. It provides clear evidence that the driver: 

  • Made a dangerous and negligent decision 
  • Violated Texas law 
  • Created a foreseeable risk of harm 
  • Directly contributed to the crash 

   

At A2X, we use this evidence strategically to strengthen your personal injury claim. Our team obtains police reports, toxicology results, body-cam footage, witness statements, and criminal case records. We analyze how impairment contributed to the accident and use this information to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. 

 

Damages Available After a DUI Accident

Being struck by a drunk or impaired driver in Big Spring often results in far more severe injuries than a typical collision, and the financial and emotional fallout can last months, years, or even a lifetime. The civil claim you file with the help of A2X is your opportunity to recover the full range of damages caused by the crash, not only your immediate medical bills, but also the long-term ripple effects that impact your health, your stability, and your future. Compensation may include emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, medications, and ongoing rehabilitation for injuries that require extended treatment, such as spinal trauma, brain injuries, or complex fractures. Victims are also entitled to pursue damages for lost wages and diminished earning capacity if their injuries limit the kind of work they can do moving forward. Beyond the physical injuries, DUI crashes often create profound emotional and psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, or trauma that affects relationships and daily living. A2X evaluates the full life impact of the accident, your pain and suffering, your reduced quality of life, and the challenges that accompany the road to recovery to ensure your claim reflects the actual depth of what you have endured. In the most tragic cases where a drunk driver’s actions lead to the loss of life, families may pursue wrongful death damages to help secure financial stability during an unimaginably painful time. At A2X, we approach these cases with deep compassion and a commitment to standing with families as they seek justice for their loved ones. 

 

Pursuing Punitive Damages in DUI Injury Cases

Because DUI accidents involve a level of recklessness far beyond ordinary negligence, Texas law allows victims to pursue punitive damages, financial awards designed not to compensate for specific losses, but to punish the at-fault driver for their dangerous conduct and to deter others from making similarly reckless decisions. Punitive damages may be available when the evidence shows the driver knowingly put lives at risk by driving intoxicated, and A2X works carefully to build the strongest possible argument for why these damages are warranted. We gather toxicology reports, police observations, prior DUI history (when admissible), witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence to paint a clear picture of the driver’s disregard for safety. Pursuing punitive damages is especially important in Big Spring, where busy highways, oilfield traffic, and high-speed routes mean drunk driving crashes often cause catastrophic injuries requiring long-term recovery. These damages can significantly increase the overall value of your claim and help provide the financial support needed during a complex and uncertain period of healing. In cases involving wrongful death, punitive damages may also play a role in holding the impaired driver fully accountable for the irreversible suffering they caused. A2X approaches these cases with sensitivity, strength, and unwavering advocacy, ensuring that victims and families are not overlooked and that the civil justice system is used to its full force. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Criminal and Civil Cases 

Does the Criminal Case Delay Your Civil Case? 

Usually, no. Both can move forward at the same time. In some cases, the civil claim may pause briefly to allow key evidence from the criminal case to become available, but A2X handles all coordination to ensure you don’t lose time or jeopardize your rights. 

   

What If the Driver Fled the Scene (DUI Hit-and-Run)?   

Hit-and-run accidents involving intoxication are tragically common. Even if the driver wasn’t immediately arrested, you may still have a strong civil case. A2X can help to potentially identify the driver, pursue compensation through insurance, or explore other legal options depending on the circumstances. 

   

What If the Driver Is Found Not Guilty in the Criminal Case? 

You can still win your civil case. Civil cases use a different legal standard, preponderance of the evidence, meaning “more likely than not”, which is easier to meet than the criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt.” 

   

Can I Recover Compensation Even if the Driver Has No Insurance? 

Possibly. A2X looks at all avenues for recovery, including your own policies, employer liability (if a company vehicle was involved), or dram shop claims in cases involving bars or establishments that overserved the driver. 

 

Why You Need A2X to Help Navigate Both the Criminal and Civil Processes 

When DUI criminal charges and a personal injury claim overlap, the legal landscape becomes more complex. Police investigations, hearings, evidence requests, insurance claims, witness interviews, and criminal proceedings all may impact your case. 

   

At A2X, we help coordinate everything so you don’t have to: 

  • We monitor the criminal case and obtain all relevant evidence. 
  • We communicate with law enforcement, prosecutors, and accident investigators. 
  • We protect you from insurance tactics designed to limit your recovery. 
  • We ensure your civil claim moves forward without missing deadlines. 

   

Most importantly, we serve as your advocate, someone who understands the legal system, who knows how to navigate both sides of a DUI case, and who fights to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. 

 

Contact A2X Today If A Drunk Driver hit you in Big Spring

If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk or impaired driver in Big Spring or the greater Howard County region, you do not have to face this alone. These accidents are preventable, devastating, and often life-changing, and you deserve support from a team that genuinely cares. 

   

Reach out to Anderson Alexander (A2X) to schedule a consultation to review your case, explain your rights, and begin fighting for the compensation you need to move forward. We are here to help you hold reckless drivers accountable and ensure your voice is heard.