“Every day, 28 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 51 minutes” (CDC.gov). It’s easy to think that a drunk driver could never hit you, or someone you know. But when it does, it’s a terrifying experience. What should I do? What if they run off? These are all questions that will go through your head in a flash. Knowing what to do in the case of a drunk driving accident is something everyone should be prepared for. Being prepared for the worst is better than being prepared for nothing at all!
- After any accident, never leave without first assessing the damage. Especially with a drunk driving accident, make sure everyone is not hurt. If you suspect any injuries at all, call 911 immediately. However, when someone asks you if you are hurt, never say that you do not have any injuries – as we’ve said before, car accident injuries can appear days after the accident occurs.
- Notify the police. If the driver seems to be getting aggressive or is acting like he/she will leave the scene, make sure you call the police. The drunk driver will (most likely) be arrested and/or fined at a later date.
- Collect insurance information from the driver. Being impaired does not give this person the excuse to not have to pay for any damages made to you or your car. Just like a regular car accident, gather their insurance and personal information. Also, be sure to take pictures of their and your car’s damages. If they refuse to give it to you, take down their license plate and the make/model of their car.
- Make a report to your insurance agency as soon as you can. This will start the ball rolling with getting your car fixed and any hospital bills paid for. Also inform them that the police were notified, and a police report was made for the incident – they will want to see this as well.
- Contact your personal injury lawyer. Tad Morlan has helped thousands of people in Springfield with their personal injury cases. While each case is different, a drunk driver should never get off the hook for injuring another person while under the influence.
With over 24 years of experience under his belt, let Tad Morlan do the work for you. To protect yourself, use an attorney that knows what he’s doing. Call today for a free, no obligation consultation to see how Tad Morlan can find justice for you.
