STEPS TO TAKE AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH A DRUNK DRIVER

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU’VE BEEN HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER?

You find yourself sharing the road with a driver that may be driving drunk. The driver may be turning with a wide radius or straddling the center or lane marker. Maybe the driver’s car is weaving, swerving, drifting or breaking erratically. Finally, the driver hits your car or another vehicle.

There are a few dos and don’ts if you feel the other driver is intoxicated:

• If the driver tries to leave the scene, DO NOT stand in front of their car, but DO take down their license plate number.
• DO call 911 immediately. If the driver asks, you can say help is on the way. Telling an intoxicated person that you’ve called the police may cause the other person to panic, get defensive or even aggressive.
• Keep communication between you and the driver to an absolute minimum. DO NOT ask the driver if they have been drinking.
• When the police arrive, let the investigating officer know that you suspect the other driver has been drinking. They will take the steps to determine if alcohol was involved.

Now that the authorities are present, you can follow the steps we strongly suggest you take to achieve a maximum recovery in the case of an accident:

• Take Notes – What happened? What time did it happen? How was the weather? What were the road conditions where the accident happened? Who was there? Better to make note of it all now before you forget.
• Document injuries and damage (on paper and photo) – Do not leave out any detail. The feeling of pain caused by car accidents may be delayed, so it is also good to keep daily records of your injuries and how they are limiting you.
• Take photos – Take pictures of the accident scene, the driving conditions, any skid marks, and damage.
• Witness Information – Take the contact information of anyone who saw the accident. Also, take note of their side of the story while it’s still fresh in their mind.
• Go to the ER – You may not feel that bad right now, but that could just be the adrenaline. You feel it tomorrow and if you didn’t go to the hospital, it is going to seem like your injuries were not that bad.

CONTACT A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

In 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that almost 18,000 people in the United States were killed in an alcohol-related collision. When an insurance company has one of its customers involved in a car accident while intoxicated, the insurance company will be very attentive to you and try to convince you that you do not need a personal injury attorney because they will take care of you. This is because victims of drunk drivers may be entitled to huge financial recovery if they are represented by a personal injury lawyer.

The drunk driving injury attorneys at Madalon Law are ready to fight for you. Contact us for your free consultation and get answers today.