Thanksgiving is a time for counting our blessings, gathering with family, and celebration; however, it is also one of the most dangerous travel periods on Texas roads. Last year, The National Safety Council warned that up to 502 people could die in preventable traffic crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, which ran from November 27 to December 1. With more vehicles on the highways, increased alcohol consumption at holiday gatherings and drivers making poor decisions behind the wheel, the conditions are ripe for devastating collisions. Understanding the risks and knowing your rights can protect your family this season.
Why Thanksgiving Means Higher Drunk Driving Risk
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has earned a notorious nickname: ‘Blackout Wednesday’ or ‘Drinksgiving.‘ It’s one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, with liquor sales surging over 150%, bars packed to capacity with people reconnecting with old friends, and tragically, far too many making the dangerous choice to drive home impaired.
The consequences are deadly. According to law enforcement officials, this singular night has the highest rate of crashes related to alcohol-impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that from 2019 to 2023, the death toll in drunk driving crashes during Thanksgiving festivities reached 868, representing more than one-third (35%) of all traffic crash fatalities for that period. In Texas, which consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for alcohol-related traffic fatalities, this combination of holiday travel volumes and impaired judgment creates an elevated risk scenario for everyone on the road.
When an Impaired Driver Becomes Liable
In Texas, all motorists owe a duty of reasonable care to others on the road. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated and causes a collision, they may be held liable for negligence. Beyond the criminal charges they face, impaired drivers can be held financially responsible for the harm they cause.
Your Carrollton drunk driving accident lawyers at O’Hare and Koch know exactly what to look for. We thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case: erratic driving patterns, failure to maintain lane position, delayed braking, running red lights or stop signs, and evidence of alcohol consumption. We gather critical evidence including police reports documenting field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, witness statements, surveillance footage and toxicology reports to build a compelling case that proves the driver breached their duty of care.
We also identify all responsible parties. In some drunk driving accident claims, bars, restaurants or clubs that overserved the driver may share liability under Texas Dram Shop laws — and we know how to hold them accountable too.
Texas law is particularly tough on drunk drivers, and we use every tool available to your advantage. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, victims of drunk driving crashes may be eligible to pursue not only compensatory damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering) but also exemplary or punitive damages. These additional damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future, and we fight aggressively to secure them for our clients.
Why Prevention and Accountability Both Matter
The best protection is always prevention. This holiday season, plan ahead and make safe choices if you plan on drinking:
- Designate a sober driver before you go out
- Use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft
- Stay overnight if you’ve been drinking
- Call a friend or family member for a safe ride home
Small decisions can save lives. However, when prevention fails and someone makes the reckless choice to drive drunk, accountability becomes essential. Holding drunk drivers responsible ensures victims receive compensation for medical treatment, lost income and other damages, while sending a clear message that drunk driving will not be tolerated. Attorneys in Carrollton skilled in handling drunk driving accidents develop the evidence to show how the driver’s decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated was negligent conduct that violated the safety of everyone on the road.
We Fight for Justice for Victims of Drunk Drivers
At O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, we understand that drunk driving crashes are entirely preventable. When one driver’s reckless decision to get behind the wheel while impaired causes a collision, it isn’t just an accident: it is a choice that puts innocent lives at risk. Our team helps clients and their families navigate through the complex and challenging issues arising from DWI or DUI crashes so you can focus on your recovery.
If you or someone you love was injured during the Thanksgiving travel period because of an impaired or negligent driver, don’t go this alone. As your trusted lawyer, we’ll review your case, explain your options and work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you deserve, including potential punitive damages designed to hold those responsible for drunk driving accidents accountable. You should not pay the price for someone else’s reckless choices.
Contact O’Hare and Koch Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us fight for the justice you deserve.
