Being the victim of a drunk driving accident is a traumatic experience, especially if you are heavily injured or with your loved ones during the incident. Still, it’s essential to stay calm and follow a few critical steps to handle the situation. Here’s what you need to know:
Ensure Everyone’s Safety
One of the first things you should do after a drunk driving accident is to ensure that everyone involved in the collision is safe. If anyone is injured, whether in the car with you or a bystander, call 911 immediately. If you are not hurt, help others if you can do so.
Report the Incident
Once everyone is safe, report the drunk driving accident to the police. They should assess the incident location and conduct a field sobriety test or use a breathalyzer to determine the drunk driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). A BAC at or higher than .08 means the driver is legally drunk, and the police must detain them. Immediately reporting the accident will also help prevent the drunk driver from causing further harm.
Gather Evidence
While the police deal with the drunk driver, try to gather evidence of the accident. Despite courts not being lenient towards individuals charged with drunk driving, you still need to prove in negotiations or the trial that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused the vehicle collision.
Talk to your companions or any witnesses during the accident for vital information that can help your case, and ask for their testimony. You can also try obtaining any available surveillance footage. Besides that, take as many pictures as possible of the vehicles involved, injuries you’ve sustained, and the overall scene of the incident. Doing these can help you prove that the drunk driver was responsible for the accident.
Consult With a Lawyer
When you get involved in a drunk driving accident, it’s best to get in touch with a lawyer. While it’s possible to handle everything by yourself, filing a claim against a drunk driver with proper legal assistance can help you pursue fair financial compensation for your damages. A DUI accident lawyer will review your case and help you throughout the necessary legal processes.
Assess the Damage
A drunk driving accident can have a severe impact on your life. It can result in severe injuries, costly medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capability, loss of consortium and enjoyment of life, and property damages, including vehicle repairs or replacement. So, it’s best to work with an experienced lawyer to evaluate all the damages and account for every cost.
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
Another essential thing to do after an accident is to call your insurance company. That said, dealing with them can be quite challenging, as most insurance companies will attempt to persuade you to accept a lower settlement amount. In addition, they may try to prolong the process as much as possible to pressure you into settling for an amount that is in their favor.
Having a lawyer who is knowledgeable about drunk driving accidents will help you avoid this problem. They can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to settle quickly for an amount that best represents the damages you have.
Seek Help From a Reliable Law Firm
A drunk driving accident can be an incredibly stressful and overwhelming experience. Consulting a DUI accident lawyer will help you deal with the situation better and increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement. Contact Frenkel & Frenkel for reliable and trusted legal representation for auto accident cases in Texas.
