If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a drunk driving accident, there are several things that you need to do to protect yourself and your legal rights. Here are six essential things that you should do if this happens to you:
1. Stay at the scene of the accident
It is important that you do not leave the scene of the accident until law enforcement officers have arrived and told you that it is okay to do so. If you leave, you could be charged with a hit and run, which is a serious crime. This is especially true if someone was injured in the accident. Also, the police will need to speak with you and get your side of the story.
If you leave the scene, it will be more difficult for you to prove that the other driver was at fault and that you were not responsible for the accident. This could result in you having to pay for damages out of your own pocket.
2. Call the police
As soon as possible after the accident, you should call the police so that they can come to the scene and investigate what happened. It is important to have a law enforcement officer create a report detailing what happened. This will be valuable evidence if you need to take legal action against the other driver. The police will also likely give the other driver a breathalyzer test to determine their blood alcohol content (BAC). If their BAC is over the legal limit, they will be arrested for drunk driving. This will help your case if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. Moreover, the police report will be useful if you need to file an insurance claim.
3. Contact an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible
If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, it is important that you contact an experienced lawyer who can protect your legal rights. If you are in Saint Louis, a drunk driving accident lawyer in St. Louis will be able to help you gather evidence, file insurance claims, and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company. If necessary, they can also file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. Getting legal help as soon as possible is important because there are time limits for filing insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. If you wait too long, you could miss your opportunity to get the compensation that you deserve. An experienced drunk driving accident lawyer will also know how to deal with the insurance companies and their adjusters, so you can focus on recovering from the accident.
4. Cooperate with law enforcement officers
When the police arrive at the scene of the accident, it is important that you cooperate with them. You should give them your name, address, and insurance information. You should also answer their questions truthfully. It is important to remember that anything you say can be used against you in court, so you should not say anything that could be used to prove that you were at fault for the accident. If you are injured and need to go to the hospital, the police will likely ask you to sign a release form allowing them to get your medical records. You should only sign this form if you have spoken with a lawyer and understand what you are signing.
5. Get medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered
If you were involved in a drunk driving accident, it is important to get medical attention even if you think that your injuries are minor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, might not be apparent until days or weeks after the accident. If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company might argue that your injuries are not related to the accident. It is important to get a full evaluation from a doctor so that you can document all of your injuries and begin the process of recovery.
6. Do not speak to insurance adjusters or sign any documents until you have spoken with an attorney
The insurance companies will likely contact you soon after the accident. They might send an adjuster to visit you or call you on the phone. It is important that you do not speak to them or sign any documents until you have spoken with a lawyer. Also, you should not give them a recorded statement. The insurance companies are not on your side and their goal is to pay out as little money as possible. They will use anything you say against you to try to minimize their liability. An experienced drunk driving accident lawyer will know how to deal with the insurance companies and their adjusters so that you can get the full compensation that you deserve.
If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, it is important to take action immediately to protect your legal rights. The sooner you contact an experienced lawyer, the better. An experienced lawyer will be able to help you gather evidence, file insurance claims, and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company. Hopefully, this blog post has given you some helpful information about what to do if you are involved in a drunk driving accident. Thank you for reading!
