What To Do If You're Hit By A Drunk Driver

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be incredibly destructive and life-altering. If you have been hit by a drunk driver, you must know what steps to take to protect yourself legally and physically.

7 Steps To Follow After A Drunk Driving Accident

Remain Calm And Assess Injuries

The first thing you should do after being hit by a drunk driver is to stay calm and check for injuries. If you or anyone involved in the accident is injured, call 911 immediately.

Move Your Vehicle Or Wait for Emergency Responders

If your vehicle is blocking traffic, and it is safe, move it to the side of the road to prevent additional car accidents. If it is unsafe to move, get out of your car and sit or stand in a safe location.

If you are injured, and can’t safely remove yourself from your car, wait for emergency responders to arrive at the accident scene.

Call The Police

Call the police and report the drunk driving accident. A police officer will collect evidence, such as breath or blood samples if needed. They will also ask questions to determine if the other driver was impaired during the accident. All the information gathered by the police officer will be included in a police report, which can help prove your case at trial.

Get Witness Information

Be sure to get the name and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Take pictures of any visible damages caused by the collision.

Collect Evidence

If it’s safe to do so, pull out your cell phone and take photographs and videos of the scene, including any damage to all vehicles involved. You can also use your phone camera to take pictures of the other driver’s driver’s license, insurance information, and anything relevant to the car crash.

Seek Medical Attention

You should go to the doctor immediately after an accident with a drunk driver. Even if you do not feel hurt, it is essential to get checked out by a medical professional. Obtaining medical treatment will help protect you legally and physically.

Talk With A Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Seek legal advice from an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and will be able to assist you in filing a civil claim against the impaired driver and hold them accountable.

Allbee Law firm provides free consultations for DWI accident victims. Call (817) 244-6453 to speak with a personal injury attorney about a drunk driving accident.

Compensation For Collisions with Drunk Drivers

Drunk drivers need to be held accountable for their actions. A person injured by a drunk driver can obtain compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are types of compensation calculated based on bills, expenses, or verifiable dollar amounts. They include the following:

Medical Bills

Medical bills that are related to the accident. These include bills for hospitalization, prescription medications, and follow-up treatments.

Property Damage

Repair or replacement of your car, other damaged property, and any items that were inside the vehicle at the time of the collision.

Lost Wages

The money you lost as a result of being unable to work due to injuries from the accident.

Rental Car Expenses

Expenses related to renting a car while your vehicle is repaired.

Loss of Earning Capacity

Lost income if you cannot work in the same capacity as before due to your injuries.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and can include the following:

Pain and Suffering

The physical and emotional suffering caused by the accident.

Loss of Consortium

The loss of companionship, love, support, and intimacy due to the injuries suffered in the accident.

Mental Anguish

Emotional distress caused by the accident.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoers and may be available in cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct.

Physical Impairment

Any loss of physical abilities caused by the accident.

9 Ways We Can Help You With Your Drunk Driving Accident

1 - Investigate Your Drunk Driving Accident

A car accident lawyer at Allbee Law Firm will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine liability and gather evidence to build a strong case. This may include reviewing police reports, medical records, and witness statements.

2 - Assess Damages

We will evaluate the full extent of your injuries and damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

3 - Communicate With Insurance Companies

We will handle all communications with the drunk driver’s insurance company on your behalf. Having a lawyer communicate with the insurance company ensures that you won’t say or do anything that may harm your case and allows you to focus on your recovery. We will also handle all settlement negotiations with the insurance company to get a fair settlement.

4 - Represent You In Court

We will represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. We will prepare your case and argue it before a judge and jury so the at-fault driver is held accountable for their actions.

5 - Advise You On Your Rights

Our lawyers will advise you on your legal rights and the options available to you. We will explain the legal process and help you understand what to expect.

6 - Help You Navigate the Legal System

The legal system can be complex and intimidating. We will help you navigate the process and ensure that all deadlines are met.

7 -Handle Paperwork

There is a lot of paperwork involved in a personal injury case. Our legal team will handle all the paperwork, including filing the necessary documents and responding to requests.

8 -Protect Your Interests

We will protect your interests and ensure that your rights are respected. We will also work to get you the compensation you deserve.

9 -Provide Emotional Support

Being hit by a drunk driver can be emotionally devastating. Our personal injury lawyers will provide emotional support and help you deal with the trauma of the accident.

FAQs About Drunk Driver Accidents

If a drunk driver has hit you, remain calm, assess injuries, call the police, and collect evidence from the scene. Seek medical attention as soon as possible and preserve evidence related to the incident. Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation.

Suppose you have been hit by a drunk driver. In that case, you may be entitled to economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

It is crucial to seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer if you have been hit by a drunk driver. Our attorneys can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.

The personal injury lawyers at Allbee Law Firm work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we win your case.

The fee is a percentage of the compensation we help you receive. Our contingency fees range from 33.33% to 45%.

Why You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer For Your Drunk Driving Crash

Driving drunk is a reckless choice, not an accident. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident because of a drunk driver,  you may be eligible for compensation.

At Allbee Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. We will work with you every step of the way. Contact us today by scheduling a free consultation or calling us at (817) 244-6453 to discus your personal injury case.

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