What to Do If You Are Hit by a Drunk Driver
Being struck by a drunk driver often leaves individuals stressed and uncertain about the future. In many cases, the most urgent concern is the physical harm that can accompany such collisions. Beyond that, you have to consider financial burdens like medical bills, repair costs, or lost wages.
Encountering such a traumatic event can lead to serious injuries, property damage, and a prolonged recovery period. Each step you take, from seeking medical assistance to dealing with insurance claims, can shape the outcome of your case. Thankfully, our personal injury firm wants to provide guidance on what you can do immediately and in the weeks ahead.
At The Law Office of George O. Haskell, IV in Macon, Georgia, we often address the legal and emotional challenges that follow a drunk driving collision. Our perspective focuses on how prompt action, detailed documentation, and mindful communication can help you handle the aftermath and move toward healing.
We put forward these steps in hopes of giving you a clearer path forward, explaining ways to interact with the other driver, handle police reports, contact insurance companies, and pursue rightful compensation through a personal injury case. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, yet these general guidelines can minimize confusion and protect your long-term interests.
Contact Emergency Services Immediately
When hit by a drunk driver, the first concern should be securing medical attention and alerting law enforcement. Each second counts in preventing further injury and collecting evidence critical to a personal injury claim.
Call 911 as soon as possible: Even if injuries seem minimal, prompt medical evaluation can uncover hidden problems.
Request police assistance at the scene: Officers create an official collision report, an essential document for your personal injury claim.
Provide an accurate statement: Describe events factually, but avoid offering speculative details regarding fault or your own physical condition.
A police report can confirm that intoxication was suspected or confirmed, which can make a substantial difference in how your personal injury claim progresses. By having immediate contact with the authorities, you can streamline insurance discussions and preserve evidence.
Gather and Preserve Evidence
We urge those involved in a collision to document the environment as thoroughly as possible. This evidence strengthens your personal injury case, shedding light on how the drunk driver behaved and the extent of your losses.
Take photos or videos: Capture images of vehicle damage, roadway conditions, and any visible injuries.
Obtain witness details: Gather names and contact information from people who saw the crash happen.
Exchange information: Collect the drunk driver’s insurance and driver’s license details. If they appear impaired, note any behaviors or slurred speech.
Information gathered at the crash site can guide future decisions, from medical treatment to the personal injury claim’s direction. An accurate record of evidence offers clarity on the drunk driver’s potential liability.
Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation
We believe in highlighting the importance of a thorough medical checkup after any automobile collision, especially when a drunk driver is involved. Not all injuries manifest immediately, and untreated conditions can worsen over time.
Visit an emergency room or doctor’s office: Prompt assessment documents the immediate consequences of the crash.
Retain all medical records: Receipts, prescription lists, and doctor’s notes help reflect the severity of your injuries for personal injury claims.
Follow recommended treatment: Adhering to the physician’s plan demonstrates commitment to recovery, a factor that can influence how insurers value your claim.
An official medical report can serve as powerful evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, showing the link between the drunk driver’s negligence and your injuries.
Keep Communication With the Drunk Driver’s Insurer Limited
Insurance adjusters representing the driver at fault often reach out quickly for a statement or settlement. Although it might feel convenient to handle matters swiftly, we recommend caution when sharing details.
Avoid offering recorded statements without counsel: Adjusters might twist your words to reduce liability. A personal injury attorney can advise on the right approach.
Reject premature settlement offers: Insurance companies frequently propose low sums before you fully appreciate the depth of injuries or potential future costs.
Document all exchanges: If you do communicate, keep notes about phone calls and demands so that you can confirm consistency in the insurer’s messaging.
Working with a personal injury lawyer can help you maintain control over the conversation, protecting your rights to a fair resolution.
Understand Potential Damages Recoverable
Compensation in drunk driving personal injury cases extends beyond immediate hospital bills. Depending on the collision’s impact, we help clients pursue a wide scope of recoverable damages.
Medical expenses: This includes ambulance costs, surgeries, medication, rehab, and any ongoing medical treatments.
Property damage: Repairs or replacement of vehicles or items destroyed in the collision.
Lost wages: Compensation for salary, wages, or self-employment income missed due to injury or recovery time.
Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional distress can be significant, and personal injury claims often factor them in.
Punitive damages: In scenarios involving drunk driving, the court sometimes awards punitive damages to deter especially reckless behavior.
We advise clients to keep meticulous evidence of all expenses and the emotional toll, documenting each cost thoroughly to maximize fairness in the final settlement or judgment.
Consider Legal Representation
We regularly remind those injured by drunk drivers that the legal process can be challenging to manage alone. Hiring a personal injury attorney experienced with drunk driving cases can provide clarity and direction in seeking rightful compensation.
Case evaluation: A legal professional can review evidence and confirm whether a personal injury suit might be worth pursuing.
Negotiation expertise: Familiarity with local courts and insurers helps expedite settlement discussions or, if needed, assure readiness for trial.
Managing documentation: Detailed evidence, medical records, and official correspondence demand careful organization that attorneys can efficiently handle.
While a skilled negotiator can often secure a fair agreement, a personal injury lawsuit may still be necessary if the insurance provider refuses to offer an equitable amount.
Coordinate With Law Enforcement
In drunk driving accidents, a thorough police investigation typically occurs, possibly leading to criminal charges like DUI against the at-fault driver.
Even though a personal injury claim and a criminal DUI charge run on separate legal tracks, we suggest staying informed about any developments in the driver’s criminal case.
Obtain relevant records: A criminal conviction for DUI may strengthen a civil personal injury claim by showing negligence per se.
Test results for intoxication: Blood or breath test outcomes might be crucial in establishing the driver’s impairment.
Court hearing updates: Tracking hearing schedules or convictions can bolster credibility in your claim, reflecting that the driver violated the law.
Although a civil suit’s outcome doesn’t rest solely on criminal convictions, evidence proving impairment can bolster claims of negligence or recklessness.
Factor in Long-Term Care or Permanent Injury
Many collisions involving drunk drivers leave victims with injuries that extend beyond a quick recovery. Some face months—or even years—of physical therapy, or they endure permanent disabilities. We ask clients to consider how these factors might affect settlement demands or lawsuit strategies.
Future medical needs: Surgeries, home modifications, or ongoing therapy can become substantial costs.
Lost earning capacity: If injuries prevent returning to the same line of work or require switching to a lower-paying job, that difference should be factored into damages.
Emotional aftermath: Survivors of severe wrecks may need counseling or mental health services to handle trauma, anxiety, or depression.
Careful documentation of future implications makes sure that personal injury claims accurately capture the total financial impact of the accident.
Stay Organized and Patient
A thorough personal injury case can take time, involving negotiations with multiple entities and possibly proceeding to trial if a settlement isn’t reached. Maintaining calm during this period helps make sure the final award reflects both the immediate and long-lasting effects of the collision.
Keep a personal injury journal: Logging symptoms, doctor visits, or emotional struggles can substantiate pain and suffering claims.
Store all bills and records together: Minimizing the risk of lost documents can speed up the compensation process.
Review settlement offers carefully: Quick resolutions might ignore future costs, so weigh proposals cautiously before accepting.
By focusing on consistent communication and detailed record-keeping, families can confidently move through each stage with minimal confusion.
Contact Us
We at The Law Office of George O. Haskell, IV know how devastating a drunk driving collision can be for victims. Those in Milledgeville, Houston County, Warner Robins, Monticello, and Forsyth can rely on clear strategies and strong advocacy to pursue financial recovery and address the harm caused by another’s reckless actions.