Fighting for Justice When Drunk Drivers and Negligent Establishments Destroy Lives
A Crisis That Demands Expert Legal Action
East Texas is facing an unprecedented pedestrian safety crisis that has reached deadly proportions. With pedestrian fatalities surging 47% in 2025 and alcohol involvement in 35% of fatal pedestrian crashes statewide, families across our region are experiencing devastating losses that could have been prevented. The recent Hunt County tragedy that claimed one life and critically injured another pedestrian serves as a stark reminder that behind every statistic is a family forever changed.
At McKay Law PLLC, we’ve dedicated over 60 years of combined litigation experience to fighting for victims of drunk driving accidents and holding accountable not just the drivers, but the establishments that enable them. With more than 300 five-star Google reviews and hundreds of positive client testimonials, we’ve established ourselves as East Texas’ premier advocates for families devastated by preventable tragedies.
The Shocking Reality of East Texas Pedestrian Deaths
The numbers paint a devastating picture of a region in crisis:
- Texas leads the nation with over 4,500 pedestrian deaths annually—representing 20% of all U.S. pedestrian fatalities
- Hunt County alone has recorded 12 pedestrian fatalities in 2025, compared to just 8 in all of 2024
- Rural highway crashes like those on Highway 380 account for 60% of East Texas pedestrian deaths
- Weekend incidents between midnight and 3 AM represent the deadliest window for pedestrian accidents
- Pedestrian fatalities have reached a 40-year high nationally, with East Texas becoming ground zero for this epidemic
These aren’t just statistics—they represent mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who will never come home because someone made the deadly choice to drink and drive, often after being over-served by establishments that prioritized profits over public safety.
McKay Law’s Revolutionary Approach: Dram Shop Accountability
While criminal charges against drunk drivers grab headlines, McKay Law PLLC has pioneered aggressive civil action that addresses the root cause of many preventable deaths: establishments that over-serve intoxicated patrons. Our expertise in Texas Dram Shop law sets us apart as the region’s most effective advocates for pedestrian accident victims and their families.
What Makes Dram Shop Cases Different
Dram Shop liability holds bars, restaurants, and other establishments financially accountable when they continue serving visibly intoxicated customers who later cause fatal crashes. This legal strategy is revolutionary because:
It Addresses Root Causes: While criminal prosecution punishes the driver, dram shop liability tackles the establishments that enabled the tragedy in the first place.
It Changes Industry Behavior: When establishments face multi-million dollar judgments for over-serving, industry behavior changes overnight. It’s the most effective tool available to prevent future tragedies.
It Provides Justice for Families: Drunk drivers often lack sufficient insurance or assets to compensate victims fully. Establishments typically carry substantial liability coverage.
It Creates Systemic Change: Our litigation pressure has already resulted in policy changes at major establishments across East Texas.
McKay Law’s Proven Dram Shop Results
Our track record speaks for itself:
- $2.8 million settlement against an East Texas bar that over-served a drunk driver who killed a pedestrian
- $1.7 million judgment against a restaurant chain for serving an intoxicated patron who caused a fatal crash
- Policy changes at major establishments following our litigation pressure
- Hundreds of successful cases holding establishments accountable for over-serving
Why East Texas is Uniquely Dangerous for Pedestrians
Several factors combine to make East Texas particularly lethal for pedestrians, creating perfect storms of danger that demand expert legal representation:
Infrastructure Gaps
Rural highways like U.S. 380 lack adequate lighting, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. When combined with impaired drivers traveling at highway speeds, these infrastructure deficiencies create deadly conditions that are entirely preventable.
Tourism and Entertainment Districts
Areas like Greenville’s downtown entertainment district see heavy foot traffic mixed with high-volume alcohol sales. This dangerous intersection of pedestrians and impaired drivers requires specialized legal expertise to navigate the complex liability issues involved.
Limited Public Transportation
The lack of rideshare and public transit options in rural East Texas communities leaves intoxicated individuals more likely to drive, especially when establishments fail in their duty to cut off over-served patrons.
Enforcement Challenges
Scattered law enforcement resources across rural counties mean fewer DUI checkpoints and patrols during peak danger hours, creating environments where drunk driving flourishes unchecked.
The Human Stories Behind the Statistics
At McKay Law PLLC, we never forget that behind every case is a human story of devastating loss. We currently represent families including:
The Grandmother’s Story: A beloved grandmother killed while walking to church by a drunk driver who had been served at three different establishments in one evening. Our investigation revealed systematic failures in alcohol service training and enforcement.
The College Student’s Tragedy: A promising young person struck and killed by an intoxicated commercial driver who had consumed alcohol at a truck stop bar that continued serving him despite obvious intoxication.
The Father’s Fight: A father of four critically injured while changing a tire, hit by a drunk driver leaving a local restaurant that had over-served him throughout the evening.
Each case reveals the same pattern: multiple failures that could have been prevented with proper dram shop enforcement and accountability. These tragedies underscore why specialized legal expertise in both drunk driving cases and dram shop liability is essential for achieving justice.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident involving a drunk driver, you have specific rights under Texas law that extend far beyond pursuing the driver alone:
Rights Against the Drunk Driver
- Compensation for medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- In wrongful death cases, loss of companionship and financial support
Rights Against Establishments (Dram Shop Claims)
- Liability for over-serving visibly intoxicated patrons
- Access to establishment insurance policies, often worth millions
- Punitive damages for willful violations of alcohol service laws
- Policy changes to prevent future tragedies
Rights During Investigation
- Immediate evidence preservation from both the accident scene and the establishment
- Access to surveillance footage from bars, restaurants, and nearby businesses
- Witness identification and statements before memories fade
- Expert accident reconstruction to establish exactly what happened
The Critical Importance of Immediate Legal Action
Time is your enemy after a pedestrian accident involving drunk driving. Critical evidence begins disappearing immediately:
Surveillance Footage: Most establishments delete security footage after 30-90 days. This footage often shows the driver’s condition while being served.
Witness Memories: Employees and patrons who observed the drunk driver’s condition begin forgetting crucial details within days.
Transaction Records: Credit card and cash register records showing alcohol purchases can be overwritten or archived.
Employee Schedules: Staff who served the intoxicated driver may change jobs or become unavailable.
Physical Evidence: Accident scene evidence is cleared away quickly, making reconstruction more difficult.
McKay Law PLLC offers 24/7 emergency response for crash scenes and hospital consultations, ensuring we can begin protecting your interests and preserving evidence immediately.
Why McKay Law PLLC is East Texas’ Premier Choice
Unmatched Experience
With over 60 years of combined litigation experience, we’ve handled more drunk driving and dram shop cases than any other firm in East Texas. This experience translates directly into better results for our clients.
Proven Results
Our track record includes multi-million dollar settlements and judgments against both drunk drivers and the establishments that enabled them. We don’t just practice personal injury law—we’ve mastered it.
Comprehensive Approach
We pursue every avenue of compensation:
- Insurance claims against the drunk driver
- Dram shop liability against over-serving establishments
- Premises liability if dangerous conditions contributed to the accident
- Commercial liability if the driver was working at the time
Client-Focused Service
- Free consultations for all injury and wrongful death cases
- No fees unless we win guarantee
- Bilingual services for East Texas’ diverse communities
- Statewide resources with local East Texas focus
- Maximum recovery pursuit through aggressive litigation when necessary
The Insurance Company Battle You Didn’t Know You Were Fighting
Insurance companies have one goal: paying as little as possible. In pedestrian accidents involving drunk drivers, they employ sophisticated strategies to minimize payouts:
Quick Settlement Offers: They know most people don’t understand the full value of their claims, especially in complex dram shop cases.
Blame Shifting: They’ll try to blame the pedestrian for the accident, even when a drunk driver was clearly at fault.
Medical Minimization: They use their own doctors to downplay injuries and reduce settlement values.
Surveillance: They may conduct surveillance hoping to catch you on a “good day” to dispute your claims.
Delay Tactics: They know financial pressure may force you to accept inadequate settlements.
McKay Law PLLC knows these tactics because we’ve been fighting them for decades. We never let insurance companies take advantage of our clients, especially grieving families dealing with wrongful death cases.
The Dram Shop Investigation Process: What Sets Us Apart
Successfully pursuing dram shop liability requires specialized investigative techniques that most personal injury lawyers simply don’t possess. McKay Law PLLC’s approach includes:
Immediate Response Team
- Scene investigation within hours of the accident
- Establishment visits to preserve evidence before it’s destroyed
- Witness interviews while memories are fresh
- Surveillance footage preservation through legal demands
Expert Investigation Network
- Former law enforcement officers experienced in DUI investigations
- Alcohol service industry experts who understand over-serving indicators
- Accident reconstruction specialists who can determine speed, impact, and fault
- Medical experts who can establish the driver’s intoxication level at time of service
Legal Strategy Development
- Comprehensive liability analysis identifying all responsible parties
- Maximum recovery pursuit through multiple insurance policies
- Aggressive litigation when defendants refuse fair settlements
- Trial preparation that forces serious settlement negotiations
Common Myths About Pedestrian Accident Cases
Myth: “If someone was drinking and driving, there’s no need for a lawyer.” Reality: Drunk driving cases are actually more complex because they involve criminal proceedings, multiple insurance policies, and potential dram shop liability. You need specialized expertise.
Myth: “The driver doesn’t have enough insurance to make a case worthwhile.” Reality: Establishments that over-serve often carry multi-million dollar liability policies. Dram shop cases can provide compensation even when drivers are underinsured.
Myth: “Criminal prosecution is enough justice.” Reality: Criminal cases don’t compensate families for their losses. Civil cases provide the financial support needed to rebuild lives and prevent future tragedies.
Myth: “These cases take too long to resolve.” Reality: While complex cases do take time, immediate legal action secures evidence and begins the compensation process. Many cases settle without trial.
East Texas Communities We Serve
McKay Law PLLC proudly serves pedestrian accident victims and their families throughout East Texas, including:
- Greenville and Hunt County
- Marshall and Harrison County
- Tyler and Smith County
- Longview and Gregg County
- Paris and Lamar County
- Mount Pleasant and Titus County
- And surrounding rural communities
Our deep roots in East Texas mean we understand local courts, judges, and legal procedures that can impact your case’s outcome.
Taking Action: Your Path to Justice Starts Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident involving a drunk driver, don’t wait. Every day of delay gives insurance companies and defendants more time to build their defenses and potentially allows critical evidence to disappear.
Why Immediate Action is Critical:
- Evidence preservation before surveillance footage is deleted
- Witness identification while memories are fresh
- Medical documentation establishing the full extent of injuries
- Insurance notification to preserve your rights
- Legal strategy development for maximum compensation
What to Expect When You Contact McKay Law PLLC
Free Case Evaluation: We’ll review your case at no cost and explain your legal options clearly.
Immediate Action Plan: If we take your case, we begin evidence preservation and investigation immediately.
Comprehensive Representation: We handle every aspect of your case, from insurance negotiations to trial if necessary.
Maximum Recovery Focus: We pursue every avenue of compensation available under Texas law.
No Financial Risk: You pay nothing unless we win your case.
The McKay Law Promise: Fighting for Systemic Change
At McKay Law PLLC, we don’t just represent individual clients—we’re fighting for systemic change that will make East Texas safer for everyone. Our aggressive pursuit of dram shop liability cases has already resulted in:
- Policy changes at major restaurant and bar chains
- Enhanced server training programs at establishments we’ve sued
- Industry awareness of over-serving consequences
- Deterrent effect making establishments think twice before over-serving patrons
Every case we win makes it less likely that another family will face the devastating loss you’ve experienced.
Don’t Let Them Get Away With It
The Hunt County tragedy and countless others like it across East Texas represent preventable deaths caused by a system that fails to hold establishments accountable for over-serving intoxicated patrons. When someone you love becomes a victim of this system’s failures, you need advocates who won’t stop fighting until justice is served.
Insurance companies and corporate defendants have teams of lawyers protecting their interests from day one. Grieving families deserve equally fierce representation, and that’s exactly what McKay Law PLLC provides.
We don’t just practice personal injury law—we’ve mastered it with six decades of combined experience, and we’re ready to put that expertise to work for your family.
Every day we delay action, more innocent pedestrians die preventable deaths. The crisis facing East Texas cannot be ignored, and we’re here to fight for justice, demand accountability, and ensure establishments think twice before prioritizing profits over public safety.
Contact McKay Law PLLC Today
Call 903-INJURED or visit MckayLawTX.com for your free consultation.
Don’t let insurance companies and negligent establishments escape responsibility. Get the experienced representation your family deserves.
