DUI Accident: What to Do if You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver

When you are driving down the road and suddenly find yourself being hit by a drunk driver, your world will change very quickly. If you have been severely injured, you will be in and out of the hospital and various medical offices, spend months recovering from your injuries, and worry about how you and your family will survive financially if you are unable to work. To hold a drunk driver accountable for their actions and receive necessary compensation, here is what you should do immediately following your accident.

Call the Police

Immediately after your accident, you or someone at the scene need to call police to the crash. This is important not only because it will allow police to arrest the drunk driver, but also because police will investigate the accident and file a report, which may contain key evidence that can help you win a personal injury lawsuit. Because of this, make sure you wait in place at the scene until police arrive.  Police involvement is also important for personal safety, as a drunk driver could be a harm to themselves or others.

Receive Medical Treatment

Even if you believe you did not sustain serious injuries in your DUI accident, don't take unnecessary chances by refusing medical treatment at the scene. In many accidents such as these, victims suffer concussions, whiplash, and back injuries, all of which may not display obvious symptoms until hours later. By getting treated at the scene and going to an ER for additional tests and treatment, your injuries from the accident can be documented in your medical records.

Consult with an Attorney

Since the drunk driver had no business being behind the wheel of their vehicle, they must be held accountable for their gross negligence. Therefore, you need to consult with and hire a drunk driving accident lawyer to help you gain financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. By immediately hiring a lawyer, they can get to work analyzing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and speaking to doctors about your injuries and their long-term ramifications.

Avoid the Quick Settlement

Unfortunately, no matter how seriously injured you happen to be due to the drunk driver's disregard for the safety of others, an insurance company will still try to deny you the financial compensation you need and deserve. Along with trying to trick you into saying something they can use against you in court, the insurance company may also try to offer you a very low amount of money to quickly settle your case. Rather than take this offer, let your lawyer continue to build a strong case that can lead to a large out-of-court settlement.

Drunk drivers need to be held accountable for their actions both criminally and financially. Being involved in a DUI accident is no small matter and you should take proper steps to recovery. By working with an experienced attorney, you can ensure you receive the compensation needed to help you recover and move forward with your life.