Understanding Pharr Drunk Driving Laws and Your Rights
Drunk driving is one of the most reckless, irresponsible, and devastating actions a person can take behind the wheel. And in a city like Pharr, Texas, where families share the road with commercial drivers, oilfield workers, and industrial traffic, the risks are exceptionally high. At Anderson Alexander (A2X), we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding drunk-driving accidents. These are not accidents in the traditional sense; they are entirely preventable tragedies caused by someone choosing to break the law and endanger lives. Our legal team fights relentlessly to hold intoxicated drivers accountable and to help victims recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one because someone else chose to drive drunk, you have legal rights beyond the criminal justice system, and we’re here to protect them.
Drunk Driving Laws in Pharr, Texas
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a criminal offense under Texas law. The law is clear: it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, drivers can still be considered impaired and charged with DWI even if their BAC is lower, depending on the circumstances.
Key Drunk Driving Laws in Texas Include:
- First Offense DWI: Class B misdemeanor, up to 180 days in jail, license suspension, and fines up to $2,000.
- Second Offense DWI: Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail, and a longer license suspension.
- Third Offense DWI: Felony, with potential prison time and long-term license revocation.
- DWI with Child Passenger: Automatic felony if a minor under 15 is in the vehicle.
- Enhanced Penalties: Higher BAC (0.15%+), accidents involving serious injury, or fatalities can significantly increase penalties.
While criminal penalties punish drunk drivers, they do nothing to help the victims recover financially or emotionally. That’s where a civil lawsuit and a firm like A2X come in. Through a personal injury claim, victims can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that result from the crash. Our team at A2X understands the devastating impact a drunk driving accident can have on your life, and we’re dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable.
The Devastating Injuries Caused by Drunk Driving Accidents
Unlike many other traffic collisions, drunk driving crashes are often high-impact and violent. Impaired drivers frequently:
- Fail to brake or slow down
- Cross into oncoming traffic
- Speed through red lights or stop signs
- Drive the wrong way on highways
- Hit pedestrians or cyclists
As a result, victims are often left with catastrophic injuries or worse. At A2X, we’ve handled drunk driving cases that involve:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burns from vehicle fires or explosions
- Amputations and disfigurement
- Crushed limbs and orthopedic injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ failure
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death
These injuries don't just cause temporary pain. They change lives permanently, disabling victims, destroying careers, and leaving families in emotional and financial crises.
Your Legal Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident in Pharr
If you were injured in a drunk driving crash, you are likely entitled to far more than just medical bill coverage. In Texas, you have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit against the drunk driver, separate from any criminal charges the state may bring.
What Can You Recover? Victims of drunk driving accidents in Pharr can seek compensation for:
- Emergency medical care
- Surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Loss of future earning capacity if you can’t return to work
- Pain and suffering for physical pain and emotional trauma
- Property damage (e.g., your vehicle)
- Punitive damages to punish egregious behavior
Civil Case vs. Criminal Case
It's important to understand that criminal charges against drunk drivers do not prevent you from filing a personal injury lawsuit. In fact, a criminal conviction (or even a guilty plea) can help your case by serving as strong evidence of liability. Even if the driver avoids jail time, you still have the right to pursue civil justice, and we are here to lead that fight.
Wrongful Death Claims
If a loved one was killed in a drunk driving crash, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation in these cases can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship and emotional suffering
- Punitive damages for gross negligence
We know these cases are not just about money; they’re about accountability, justice, and helping families rebuild. A2X is here to stand by your side every step of the way.
These Crashes Are 100% Preventable
The most tragic part of every drunk driving crash is that it didn’t have to happen. These aren’t mechanical failures or weather-related accidents; they are the result of someone making a reckless choice to get behind the wheel impaired. Drivers in Pharr have access to alternatives like rideshare apps, friends, or simply choosing not to drink. There is no excuse for putting innocent lives at risk. Yet every year, people in this community suffer devastating injuries or lose loved ones because someone else didn’t care enough to make the responsible choice. At A2X, that’s what drives us: holding those people accountable.
Why Choose A2X for Your Drunk Driving Injury Case?
When a drunk driver has injured you, you need more than just legal help; you need a team that understands how serious your situation is and one that will fight relentlessly for your rights. At A2X, we offer:
- Experience with Catastrophic Injury Cases: We focus exclusively on serious personal injury and wrongful death claims. We understand the full impact these crashes have and how to pursue maximum compensation.
- Aggressive Representation: We don’t settle for lowball offers. We take on insurance companies, defense attorneys, and corporations, and we’re fully prepared to go to trial if that’s what it takes.
- Personalized Strategy: We don’t use cookie-cutter approaches. Your case is built around your injuries, your losses, and your goals.
- Texas Roots, National Reach: As a Texas-based trial firm, we understand the unique aspects of Texas law and the communities we serve, including Pharr and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley.
If A Drunk Driver hit you in Pharr, Contact A2X Today
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed because another driver chose to get behind the wheel while drunk, you don’t have to face this alone. The law is on your side, and so are we. Let Anderson Alexander (A2X) help you pursue justice, hold the drunk driver accountable, and secure the compensation you need to heal and move forward. These cases are more than financial recovery; they’re about making sure it doesn’t happen to someone else.
Contact A2X today to speak with an experienced drunk driving injury attorney serving Pharr, Texas. We’re here to help you understand your rights and take the first step toward justice. 

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