You’re on the road, minding your own business. Then suddenly, a drunk driver comes out of nowhere and hits you. Immediately after impact, you are in shock. You may have whiplash or other injuries that make it hard to think straight or move around on your own. But this is only the first step of a long recovery process. Follow these key steps to get back on track as soon as possible:
Contact a Lawyer
You should contact a personal injury lawyer who can help ensure that you get all of the compensation for damages caused by this negligent driver while under the influence. Drunk driving accidents are one of the most complex types of cases to win because there will always be that excuse by the drunk driver’s insurance company about how it wasn’t their fault. According to https://samandashlaw.com/car-accident-lawyer/drunk-driving-accidents/, having a lawyer on your side can help you get through this tough time and ensure everything gets taken care of without any hiccups along the way. You can talk to friends, family members, or even coworkers about finding a good lawyer with experience with drunk driving accidents. You don’t want just anyone representing you in this legal case.
Call 911 and Tell them What Happened
Even if you are in pain or are not feeling well, it is crucial to call 911 right away. The police will get the information they need about what happened and who was at fault to make sure charges are brought against this drunk driver for their actions. It’s also a good idea to have your lawyer on hand when giving these statements because they know what questions should be asked for them to help build up your case even more than it already has been. You also want to request police assistance if possible because officers will document any evidence left behind, such as skid marks or broken glass on the road, which could help your case later down the line when it gets presented at trial against the drunk driver’s insurance company.
Seek Medical Attention
Once you have called 911, the next step is to seek medical attention. It needs to happen right away. Any injuries are documented and treated by a professional before they get worse or spread further through your body, causing more damage. How bad your injuries are will determine if an ambulance has to be brought in for transportation purposes. Either way, ensure you go into the hospital, even if it’s to check out what kind of treatment you can take at home with over-the-counter medication.
File an Accident Report with Your Insurance Company
The next step is to file an accident report with your insurance company. It needs to be as soon as possible after the accident happens and you have all of the information gathered from it. Be sure to have the police report number, contact information for any witnesses, and photos of the scene handy when filling out this form. It is also good to track how many days you are taking off work because you must document that when filing your claim.
If your car was damaged in the accident, ensure you take pictures of it before getting it repaired or towed away. The insurance company may want to see these photos to estimate the repairs. If there are any injuries you know, document those with photos and medical records.
Seek Compensation for Damages Caused
The last step you should take after being hit by a drunk driver is seeking compensation for all of the harm they caused both physically and financially, which includes property damage, pain, and suffering, lost wages from missing work, medical bills not covered by insurance or Medicaid/Medicare (if applicable), etc. Altogether, these things equal what lawyers refer to as damages which helps determine how much money should be sought out for this case. However, keep in mind that it is not your fault the other party’s insurance company will try to blame you if their driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they caused this accident.
These are the key steps that need to happen after being hit by a drunk driver, and while they may seem like a lot of work, it’s essential to make sure everything gets taken care of so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Keep in mind that the insurance company for the other party will try to blame you. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side is crucial during this time.
