What to Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver
Data from the National Highway Transportation Security Agency shows that more than two dozen people are killed in drunk driving crashes every cay. That statistic, however, doesn’t account for injuries.
In 2016, there were more than 34, 000 DUI car accidents across the US; less than 11, 000 of the accidents resulted in death. This means that roughly five dozen non-fatal DUI-related crashes occur on a daily basis.
If you’re among those who have been injured by a drunk or drugged driver, you’ll want to make sure you speak with a personal injury lawyer right away. This is especially true if you’re unable to work and are having trouble keeping up with medical bills and living expenses.
Make sure someone gets the other driver’s insurance information
At the time the accident occurs, make sure that someone is able to get the other driver’s insurance information. If possible, get a photo of their insurance card and driver’s license. Although it’s likely the police department will get this information and include it in the police report, it’s always best to have a copy of it yourself.
Contact your insurance company
You’ll need to speak with your insurance agent in order to start the claims process. Although some would recommend you contact the other party’s insurance company on your own, some lawyers may advise that you leave that to your policy holder. You may also be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance agent, and there’s a chance they’ll try to settle early. Do not accept any sort of settlement offer before you speak with a personal injury lawyer.
Seek medical care and document everything
Regardless as to the extent of your injuries, you’ll want to seek immediate medical care. You may not be sore or bruised at the time the accident takes place, but you may start to experience pain or other signs of injury once the adrenaline wears off. It’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you need to pursue a personal injury claim, you’ll want to have as much documentation of your injuries as possible.
Keep copies of all expenses related to your medical care, including co-pays, prescriptions, hospital related-costs and loss of income due to time off work.
Naples car accident lawyer you can trust
If you’ve been in a car accident with a drunk or drugged driver and you have questions about how personal injury lawsuits work call The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. today to learn more.
