Drunk driving accidents tend to have severe impacts. Many impaired motorists are often speeding or weaving all over the road when they crash into other motorists, causing massive property damage and painful bodily injuries or even death. Each year, hundreds are killed in alcohol-related crashes in Georgia, with thousands more seriously injured and in the hospital.
If you were hit by a drunk driver, you do have legal rights. Call Griffin Law Firm, P.C. to learn more about what steps to take to receive financial compensation. A Snellville DUI accidents lawyer can help you identify mistakes to avoid and how to build a strong injury claim.
Immediate Steps after a DUI Accident
These are steps to take at the scene to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Call an ambulance if necessary. An ambulance can whisk anyone with life-threatening injuries to the hospital so they can begin to receive life-saving care.
- Report your accident to the police. Do not wait for the drunk driver to call. Use your phone and report the location, informing the police of your location. An officer can investigate the other driver for intoxication and begin gathering evidence.
- Talk with witnesses. Anyone who stops by to help is a witness. You should ask for their name and either a phone number or an email address. These witnesses can provide critical pieces of information later when your lawyer starts to pull together an injury claim. For example, they can testify that the driver was stumbling around and slurring his words, which helps prove the motorist was drunk.
- Photograph the accident scene. It is always helpful when making a claim to have evidence of where the cars ended up and how badly they are damaged. These pictures bring the scene to life for those who were not there.
- Seek treatment at the hospital. After finishing at the accident scene, you should go to the hospital and identify where you feel pain. Early treatment improves your chances of recovery while at the same time documenting your injuries.
- Call the experienced auto accident attorneys at the Griffin Law Firm to make sure you get an injury settlement that fully compensates you for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
This is a long list, and you might be badly shaken after an accident. Of course, if you were seriously injured in the crash, then you will be the one in the back of an ambulance. But if you can move around, then we recommend completing as many of the above items as possible.
What to Do Next When Injured By Drunk Driver
Many motorists end up with painful injuries following a DUI accident. They will struggle with fractures, facial wounds, pinched nerves, back injuries, and more. The most important thing is to focus on healing. The ultimate goal for most motorists is to return to their former selves.
We recommend:
- Consult a Snellville car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will have the best advice for how to document your road to recovery. The amount of compensation depends on many factors, including detailed documentation of your injuries. Your lawyer can help document your limitations.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to a lawyer or insurance adjuster. These recorded statements are full of tripwires. You could easily say something inadvertently that undermines your legal claim.
- Receive all necessary medical treatment. Accident victims need to show they are doing everything reasonable to get well. That means taking advantage of physical therapy and prescription medication to improve mobility and manage pain.
- Document your bodily pain and mental distress. Most of our settlements include damages for pain and suffering. However, the burden is on the victim to prove their bodily pain, which is complicated. One option is to maintain a regular journal where you write down how you feel.
These steps will help anyone hurt after being hit by a drunk driver. You can strengthen your claim and ensure that you have done everything possible to receive fair compensation. If you were hit by a drunk driver, Georgia law gives you the right to sue the driver or submit a claim on their insurance.
Hire an Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Some motorists might be tempted to negotiate their own settlement. To them, it’s obvious the drunk driver is at fault for the DUI accident, and the driver’s insurer should pay a full and fair settlement.
But these cases are surprisingly complex. The other driver’s insurance company might try to pin some of the blame for the accident on you. They could ask intrusive questions about what you were doing the morning of the accident, or if they can see your phone records. They might argue you were negligent and bear most of the blame.
Another point of contention is the severity of your injuries. The other side might argue you aren’t really hurt and could get back to work quickly. Their initial settlement offer is typically insultingly low.
Call our office. Our Snellville car accident lawyer can:
- Review the police report and listen to your story. We want a better understanding of how the accident unfolded.
- Analyze your medical records to fully appreciate your bodily limitations and prognosis.
- Seek out toxicology results to prove the driver was intoxicated. This is a critical step for establishing fault for the accident. The driver might have also pleaded guilty, which could matter.
- Open lines of communication with the other driver’s insurance company to discuss a possible settlement. Most DUI accident cases settle in Georgia, which means compensation is available much faster.
- Protect your rights by filing a lawsuit before the end of the statute of limitations. If you go over the deadline, then you will likely lose out on the ability to sue or receive anything.
Drunk drivers should be held accountable for getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink. An experienced lawyer will know the right steps for seeking justice for an injured client.
Injured By Drunk Driver? Call Our Law Office
Griffin Law Firm, P.C. has negotiated settlements for many injured clients and is ready to help you however we can. The weeks after an accident are usually a blur, but retaining legal counsel is an important step. To schedule a meeting, either call or submit information confidentially online.