Hit by a Drunk Driver? Here’s What to Do Next
Despite efforts to reduce driving under the influence, drunk driving in Texas remains a serious threat to people across Texas. In 2020 alone, there were 8,275 crashes linked to driving while intoxicated, 219 of which were fatal. If you or a loved one was involved in an auto accident with a drunk driver, you deserve to understand your legal options.
The team of accident lawyers at Will Adams Law Firm has over 25 years of experience handling all types of Texas personal injury cases, including drunk driving crashes. If you were hurt in an accident with a drunk driver, here’s what you should do next.
What Should I Do at the Scene of the Car Accident?
Drunk driving crashes are different from other types of crashes. Following these steps will help protect your case and your future.
Call 911
One of the first things you should do after a crash is to call the police. If you suspect that the other driver was driving while intoxicated, request that the responding officer performs a breathalyzer test. In Texas, a person is considered an impaired driver when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08%. It’s important to get this information on the spot and include it in the police report, as it can be difficult to prove later that alcohol was a factor in the crash.
If a medical emergency team arrives at the scene of the crash, allow them to treat you, even if you do not think you have serious injuries.
Take Photos of the Drunk Driving Accident
If it’s safe to do so, take photos to document as much as you can about the car crash. Any evidence from the scene is better than none, so photos taken using your cell phone camera will work just fine.
Include photos of the specific damage to your motor vehicle, the other car’s license plate, and a photo of the entire scene, and anything else that feels important.
Take Notes
You may be surprised at how quickly memories become hazy—even memories of traumatic events like car crashes! Write down all you can remember about the accident: where you were, what happened, and any damage or injuries that happened because of the crash. Be sure to take note of the at-fault driver’s insurance information. This will be essential to filing a claim against the other driver’s insurance.
Additionally, if there are any witnesses to the crash, ask for their account of the crash and write it down. It’s also wise to write down their contact information. This could be very important in the future to validate your account of the accident, especially when filing a claim.
What Should I Do After Leaving the Scene of the Drunk Driving Accident?
See a Doctor
It’s easy to skip this step, but it’s one of the most critical. Some common collision injuries can take a few days to appear, and can be very serious such as internal bleeding or concussions. When you see a doctor after a crash, a doctor will know what to examine for common car crash injuries and can help to prevent or lessen any future pain and suffering from those injuries going undetected. Additionally, if you file a legal claim from the accident, having doctors’ notes and records of medical expenses will be helpful when it comes to proving that your injuries were a result of the accident.
Whether you have an injury immediately after the crash or not, pay attention to any physical symptoms in the days following the crash. Write them down in case an injury develops in the future. Your record of symptoms can help you to file a successful claim for any physical damages done in the crash.
Call a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer
Drunk driving is serious business—and you should not be responsible for the damage if you were not the one who caused it. Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit is a way to be compensated for your injuries, medical bills, damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In general, insurance companies are extremely motivated to settle drunk driving cases outside of court (especially if there was a DUI or DWI conviction). This makes having a strong case even more critical, and the best way to build your case is by hiring an experienced personal injury attorney. When you have a skilled attorney on your side, your legal team can fight for fair compensation while you focus on recovery.
To make sure your accident case is receiving the respect, attention, and commitment it deserves, call a lawyer who focuses on personal injury and collision claims from Will Adams Law Firm.
If You’ve Been Hit By a Drunk Driver, Will Adams Law Firm is Ready to Fight for You
With more than 25 years of legal experience, Will Adams Law Firm is dedicated to supporting the people of the Greater Katy Area and throughout Texas. Our accident attorneys’ focus is on personal injury claims and we’re committed to holding wrongdoers accountable and ensuring that you aren’t burdened with medical bills for injuries that you did not cause.
Known for our meticulous eye for detail, commitment to excellence and respect for our clients, you can trust us to fight for you. If you’d like us to take a look at your case, we offer free consultations. All you have to do is give us a call at 1-800-559-0593, or fill out our contact form.
We look forward to hearing from you!
References
Texas Department of Transportation. (2021). Crash contributing factors, 2020. Retrieved from https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2020/21.pdf
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
