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Car accidents are terrifying events because of the injuries associated with them. And some of these accidents are caused by drunk driving. This falls under criminal law, and the state should prosecute such a driver.
Apart from that, you can
file a compensation claim if you suffer any damage in an accident caused by a
drunk driver. The personal injury law requires the negligent driver and their
insurance company to pay you for the pain, mental anguish, lost income, and
even your vehicle repair.
But you may ask, when do most drunk driving accidents
occur? Most drunk driving accidents happen early in the
morning and late at night. It’s important to be careful when driving during
those times to protect yourself against accidents.
But no matter how careful
you’re on the road, safety isn’t always guaranteed since another driver can hit
you. Therefore, it’s essential to be prepared for the steps to take if you get
involved in a drunk driving accident.
That said, here are crucial
things to do immediately after being involved in such an accident.
1. Contact
A Lawyer
Filing a car accident claim
and getting the proper compensation is easier said than done. This is
especially true if you walk alone and don’t know what steps to follow.
Fortunately, you can hire a lawyer to guide you throughout the process to
ensure you get better results.
One of the most vital
things a lawyer will assist you with is interpreting relevant laws and
regulations surrounding your case. Remember that justice could be jeopardized
by a slight mistake in law interpretation and application. A lawyer will be
there for you to ensure you remain compliant with the state law and strengthen
your lawsuit.
Apart from that, a lawyer
can assist you in determining the worth of your case. They know everything that
needs to be considered to give you an accurate claim value. This will ensure
that you receive the highest possible settlement for your claim. And because
they’re trained and experienced in negotiation, the right lawyer will use their
expertise to bargain for adequate settlement. Ensure you connect with an
attorney who specializes in car accident claims.
2. Take
Pictures Of The
Accident
Photos are valuable in
personal injury cases as they’re the best way to show the exact conditions at
the time of the accident. You can use them to document your evidence. For that
reason, immediately after the accident, use your smartphone to take photographs of
the damaged cars and the crash scene.
Apart from that, ensure you
take photographs of any injuries you sustain. That helps provide enough
evidence for the accident. You must also understand that sometimes, a case may
take longer to commence. And by the time it starts, you’re almost or entirely
healed. So, it’ll be practically impossible to prove that you sustained
injuries in an accident some time back.
Fortunately, photos will show what exactly your injuries looked like at
the time of the accident. Therefore, you won’t be worried even if the case
takes longer to begin.
3. Seek
Medical Attention
Seeking medical treatment
is critical for your health and personal injury lawsuit. Whether minor, major,
or no physical injury at all, always consider visiting the nearest hospital.
The doctor will examine your body internally and externally for any injuries
and provide the proper medication or treatment. Doing this can hasten your
recovery.
The doctor will also
document your injuries to ensure you maximize your compensation. You’ll present
such medical records as evidence of the injuries and accidents during the
hearing. Furthermore, the hospital will write medication bills, a necessary
component when calculating the value of your case and total compensation.
4. Call
Police Officers
Another important step
after being involved in a drunk driving accident is to call police officers.
That way, you can be guaranteed to document the accident, which will assist you
in making a claim from auto insurance companies and filing your personal injury
case.
Any auto insurance provider
will want you to produce a police abstract before
honoring your claim. So, calling the police helps simplify your compensation
process. They can also use alcohol breath test devices to confirm that the
at-fault driver was drunk.
5. Obtain
Witnesses
While police will help
document the accident, finding witnesses is crucial. These people were there
when the crash happened and can testify in courtrooms to provide additional
evidence. Always search for people you can trust and take their contact
information. This helps you to reach out to them when the case hearing
commences.
Takeaway
Filing a drunk driving accident claim can be difficult if you don’t know what steps to follow. And if you aren’t careful, you won’t get the appropriate justice. But with the strategies in this article, you can be assured of filing a successful lawsuit claim and obtaining adequate compensation.