With 11,000 people getting killed on US roads everyday, there is a reason why drunk driving is illegal. It is a serious concern that 2.47 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
You could seriously get injured and confused if a drunk driver hits you. It’s even worse to think that the accident could have been avoided. It is dangerous to drive while drunk, and if you are the victim, you have rights.
Fulmer Sill advocates that victims secure the compensation they deserve if they or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver or any type of accident.
You should protect yourself, get the care you need, and make sure the driver is held accountable.
Ensure Your Safety and the Safety of Others
In a crash caused by a drunk driver, the safety of everyone should be your first priority.
Check to see if others are hurt if you can. Stay as far away from things that could further hurt you, like cars coming the other way or fluids that are leaking. Making things less dangerous can help draw less attention to the place and calm people down.
Avoid lifting or moving the injured unless it poses a serious risk to their lives. Go somewhere safe and stay there, away from the crash site.
If the drunk driver has been in trouble with the law before, they may face harsher punishments, but this can also change from state to state. For example, under Kentucky DUI laws for 3rd offense, offenders may face 30 days to 12 months in county jail and pay a huge fine for court costs.
Call the Authorities and Report the Incident
Once you are no longer in danger, call the police to report the crash. Call 911 or the nearby emergency line. Report the type of crash, where it happened, and the cars that were involved. Stay where you are until help arrives if someone is hurt.
If the driver seems to have been impaired, let the dispatcher know to speed things up. Keep in mind that the police report is going to be quite helpful for insurance and legal purposes.
Help the officers on the scene with what you saw and any orders they give. Protection increases with the speed of police response after an accident.
Gather Evidence and Document the Scene
Gathering evidence and documentation of the scene is key. For starters, take pictures at all angles of the accident site, with all vehicles covered, the damage, and any road signs or signals that may be pertinent.
Gather a complete picture of what happened because that helps give context. If there are any skid marks or broken glass, snap a photograph of those too.
Gather information from witnesses. Their statements may be crucial, so ask for their names and contact details.
Also, find out about the other car by writing down their license plate number and insurance information. While you can still remember, write down what happened. The weather and time of the event will be important, along with anything else that had something to do with it.
This will benefit your case later.
Seek Medical Attention for Injuries
When drunk driving causes an accident and various injuries occur, seeking medical treatment becomes vital.
At that time, you might not feel any pain because the adrenaline has temporarily covered it up. So, it’s important to see a doctor right away to make sure there aren’t any other injuries, especially concussions or damage inside the body.
The documentation of injuries is equally important for your health and any possible claims in the future. Follow all the doctor instructions, plus any tests he or she orders, and keep copies of every medical report.
This will hasten your recovery and position you well to use this documentation later if that becomes necessary.
Understand Your Legal Rights and Options
Know your rights and options in the event of an accident by a drunk driver so that you will have a claim for the compensation of medical bills, lost wages, and damages for pain and suffering.
Gather evidence at the scene: pictures, witness statements, etc. Inform your insurer of the accident, but be careful of what you say.
You will also want to hire a lawyer who is well versed in drunk driving cases. They’ll help you with the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and even go to court for you if needed.
This process will help you get the compensation you deserve while keeping you healthy.