Ensure safety and call for help.
Check for injuries and move to safety.
Ensuring everyone's safety is the top concern following an incident involving drunk driving. Inspect both you and the other passengers for injuries. To avoid more collisions, try to park your car in a safe spot away from oncoming traffic. To warn other vehicles, switch on your warning lights if you are unable to move your vehicle.
Make an emergency service call.
Make sure to report the collision to 911 right away. Tell the dispatcher that a drunk driver struck you. Tell us where it happened, how many cars were involved, and if there are any obvious injuries. Calling for assistance as soon as possible guarantees that the police and emergency services will come over to help.
Wait for the authorities.
Stay away from the intoxicated driver while you wait for emergency staff. If it's safe to do so, stay in your car and maintain a safe distance from the other driver. It is advisable to stay away from direct interactions with drunk drivers until the police arrive, since they might be unpredictable.
Gather evidence at the scene.
Document the accident scene.
Collecting evidence is an essential next step after making sure you are safe and calling for assistance. Take many images of the accident site with your phone. Take pictures of the damage to each car involved, the road's skid marks, the traffic signs, and any additional relevant data. These pictures will be essential proof in your case.
Gather witness data.
Get the contact details of any witnesses to the accident, if there are any. Witnesses can offer crucial testimony to bolster your version of what happened. Request their names, contact information, and a short account of what they observed. In the event that there is disagreement over what happened, their testimonials might support your case.
Information Exchange
Trade insurance details and contact details with the other driver. Make sure you have their insurance information, name, address, phone number, and driver's license number. Refrain from talking about the accident or apologizing because everything you say might come back to haunt you.
Seek medical attention.
Get a medical evaluation.
It's important to get medical help following the accident, even if you feel good. Certain injuries, including whiplash or stomach damage, cannot manifest symptoms right away. A comprehensive medical assessment might reveal any latent injuries and offer supporting evidence for your case.
Observe medical advice.
Observe the guidance and treatment plan that your physician has given you. Maintain a record of all doctor appointments, medications, and treatments. These records are essential for demonstrating the severity of your wounds and how they have affected your life.
Keep an eye on your health.
After the accident, keep an eye on your health in the days and weeks that follow. Notify your doctor and keep a record of any changes in your health. When you're trying to get compensated for your injuries, ongoing medical conditions might be quite important.
Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Understand Your Legal Rights
After a drunk driving collision, navigating the legal consequences can be challenging. Speaking with an attorney for drunk driving accident lawyer will help you understand your options and rights. You will be assisted by a knowledgeable attorney while you file a claim and look for damages to be reimbursed.
Compile Records
Give your lawyer access to all the paperwork you have gathered, such as pictures, witness statements, medical records, and any messages you have had with insurance companies. This proof will be used by your attorney to provide a compelling argument in your favor.
Go After Payment
A lawyer for drunk driving accidents will fight to make sure you get the money you are due. This might involve paying for lost income, medical costs, pain and suffering, and property damage. For a just settlement, your attorney will work with insurance companies in negotiations and, if needed, as your legal representative in court.
Notify your insurance company.
Report the accident.
Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as you can. Give them all the information and records you have gathered. Give clear, honest stories of what happened and inform them that the other driver was intoxicated.
Recognize Your Coverage
Examine your insurance policy to find out what coverage you have for collisions caused by intoxicated drivers. Certain plans could provide particular coverage for these kinds of things, which might help pay for your costs.
Participate in the investigation.
Participate in the accident investigation conducted by your insurance provider. Give them any more information they ask for, and follow their claims and repair guidelines. Your assistance will speed up the procedure and guarantee that you get the rewards for which you are legally qualified.
Focus on recovery.
Follow-Up on Medical Care
Keep up with your medical follow-up and show up for all of your appointments. It may take some time to recover from an intoxicated driving accident, so it's critical to put your health and wellbeing first.
Look for assistance.
Healing after an intoxicated driving accident may include a great deal of emotional distress. Think about asking friends, relatives, or a mental health professional for assistance. You may help yourself heal emotionally by talking about your feelings and experiences.
Keep up with it.
Keep yourself updated on the status of your case as well as any changes pertaining to the prosecution of the intoxicated driver. Although your attorney will keep you informed, taking the responsibility in your case might give you a sense of more control.
In summary
While being hit by a drunk driver is a terrifying event, you can manage the aftermath more skillfully if you know what to do. It's important to make sure you're safe, collect evidence, get medical help, speak with a drunk driving accident attorney, and concentrate on getting better. You may defend your rights and fight for the recompense and justice you are due by following these actions.
Remind yourself that you are not alone if you find yourself stating, "I just got hit by a drunk driver." Speak with an experienced attorney for drunk driving accidents so they can help you get through this difficult period and rebuild your life after the collision.
