It’s preached over and over: don’t drink and drive. However, just because you follow this essential driving rule doesn’t mean that everyone else on the road does. Being in an auto accident is already hard. Even when an auto collision is not fatal, it can still be mentally, physically, and emotionally traumatic if a drunk driver hits you. You could be feeling even more emotions, and you may be confused about what you should do. If you’re not at fault for a recent car crash and suspect the other driver was drunk, and you want to recover financially from your damages, here are important steps to know.
Focus on Health
In any case where someone is injured, whether someone is intoxicated or not, it is critical to tend to injuries before doing anything else. Ensure you comply with first responders and seek treatment for all physical damages to you or your passengers.
File a Formal Report
Ensure you report the auto accident to the police in the areas to an official accident report. This will help in insurance claims and will be helpful for any legal action you plan to take.
Record Everything You Can About the Accident and Its Cost
If you can, take pictures of everything at the accident site. These photos should include pictures of any damage to the cars involved. Make sure you write down your recollection of the accident and get the accounts of anyone else who was in your car, as well as eyewitnesses at the scene. If you have any proof that the other driver was drunk while driving, you should also hold onto that.
For any costs you incurred because of the accident, you should ensure that you keep receipts. This could be medical bills, receipts from an auto body shop, and a record of any missed wages, in addition to a quantified amount for your pain and suffering recovered through legal action.
Attain a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were not at fault for the accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney. Stipulation the other driver was drunk, resist the draw to settle with their insurance company. If you can prove in court with the help of your attorney that they were acting out of negligence, you should receive compensation for costs you incurred.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
