Drunk drivers are nearly always on the roads, even though it’s illegal to drink and drive. Whether they’ve used drugs or had too much alcohol to drink at a local bar, they could pose a threat to your safety.
If a drunk driver hits you, do you know what to do next? The other party may be incoherent or unable to answer your questions, and you may be badly hurt. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
1. Assess the situation and call 911
The first thing to do is to assess the situation and call 911 for help. Let the emergency operator know how many vehicles are involved in the collision and if anyone suffered a significant injury.
2. Go to the hospital and collect information
Next, you should go to the hospital. There, you’ll get more information about your injuries and be able to see if they’ll impact your ability to work or enjoy a normal daily life. If you’re badly hurt, you may need various medical treatments, and that’s something you’ll want to document.
Going to the hospital is a good idea because it helps create a paper trail for your claim. You want to be able to show how much this crash has cost you and how it has impacted your health.
3. Pursue a claim against the driver’s insurance
The last thing you’ll want to do is to start your claim against the drunk driver. You should focus on your health and getting stable first, but as you do so, your attorney can begin to put together your personal injury claim.
With police records and other documentation, it could be possible to show that the driver was allegedly impaired and that the crash was a result of their actions. Most insurance companies will try to settle early on in the case, but you should be cautious and settle only if what you’re being offered is fair. If you can wait until a criminal trial is over and the other party is convicted of drunk driving, then you’ll have a great opportunity to seek a higher settlement for their negligence and reckless actions.
Drunk drivers shouldn’t be on the roads, and their actions do have an impact on those around them. It’s your right to pursue a claim to help you recover your losses.