Unfortunately, there are approximately 6 million car accidents per year in the United States. To make matters worse, not all of these accidents are something that you can walk away from. Oftentimes, people experience DUI injuries as a result of somebody else’s actions.
We’ve put together a guide that details what you should know in case this happens to you. Let’s get started.
- Get to Safety
Before you do anything else, you need to get to safety.
Under most circumstances, this means relocating to the side of the road or even the median. The further away you are from the street, the less likely you will be at risk of getting injured by other drivers. However, there are certain circumstances in which you will need assistance in doing so.
For example, if you were knocked unconscious during the collision, it’s recommended to wait for medical professionals to arrive. Otherwise, you might cause additional complications that could affect your ability to recover.
- Call the Police
It’s essential that you call law enforcement as soon as possible. Not only will they be able to direct traffic around you, but they will create a police report that documents the situation, as well.
Calling the police will also help get the offending driver off of the road. Although this does not always occur, it’s not uncommon for drunk drivers to flee the scene of an accident that they caused.
This means that they are now both panicking and under the influence of drugs/alcohol. As you can expect, this makes them significantly dangerous to all other drivers on the road.
When the police arrive, be sure to do exactly as they tell you. It’s not uncommon for law enforcement to test all parties involved to see if they were driving under the influence.
As long as you comply with the police, the process should go relatively smoothly. Afterward, ask the reporting officer for a copy of the police report.
- Gather Evidence
The evidence that you gather will directly impact your probability of success when seeking legal assistance.
After all, you will be the one who is tasked with proving how your injuries have negatively affected you. One of the best ways to do so is to photograph everything that you can at the scene. To clarify, let’s assume that the drunk driver destroyed the surrounding property before striking your vehicle.
This will go a long way when it comes to establishing their dangerous and erratic behavior while they were on the road. You can also interview bystanders and record accounts of what they saw. Interestingly, people often assume that experiencing personal injury in a car from a drunk driving incident only occurs at night when nobody else is on the road.
In reality, it’s not uncommon for these types of accidents to happen as a result of extensive day drinking. They can also happen in relatively crowded areas like parking lots and neighborhoods.
In the event that other people witnessed the collision, be sure to speak with them if you are able to. Ask them to describe exactly what they saw in as much detail as they can. To help you document this information, it’s recommended to record the conversation on a smartphone.
You could also take a video to help you remember what witnesses you spoke to. Of course, be sure that you obtain the other party’s consent before doing so.
If you choose to record a witness, have them clearly state their name and the current time before giving their account.
- Seek Medical Attention
Regardless of how you feel after the incident, it’s imperative that you seek medical attention. There are a number of serious health complications that could occur and present no symptoms at all.
Internal bleeding, for example, is one of the most notable. However, seeking medical attention also comes with an additional legal benefit. You can use your medical records as additional evidence of your injuries.
For people who are seeking to file a lawsuit against the other party, it’s essential that you are able to provide this information.
- Get in Touch With a Legal Professional
Hiring the right car accident injury lawyer is one of the most important steps during the entire process. There’s a good chance that you will experience significant hardship as a result of your injuries.
So, securing DUI legal help can often mean the difference between whether or not you are able to accommodate this situation. For example, you may have neck and back pain that prevents you from returning to your previous role at your job. You may even experience mental/emotional trauma in the form of flashbacks.
This scenario typically occurs in individuals who were struck from the side or front. When searching for an attorney, be sure to consider their past reputation. This will help you determine the type of experience that you will have.
Looking for reliable legal options for car accident injuries? You can check out this resource to hire personal injury lawyer for your case.
Dealing With DUI Injuries Can Be Stressful
In some cases, it could also bury you in medical debt.
The good news is that the above information can help ensure that you are able to accommodate your DUI injuries as quickly and effectively as possible. From here, you’ll be well on your way toward getting the compensation you deserve.
Looking for more tips that can help you out later on? Check out the rest of our blog for plenty of more useful information.